30 weeks since kidney removal

Hickman Line

For StarGirls treatment she had a hickman line inserted (operation to insert, and another for removal).

I initially decided on the Port-a-cath, however the surgeon decided she was too little, so the hickman was her only option.

StarGirls hickman only had one end (the blue one) but some people have red ends on their hickmans too.

Inside her body the hickman is split in two, one bit into the jugular in neck (surgeon makes a cut in the neck during insertion operation), and the other going into the vena cava in heart. The insertion and removal operations are very risky in themselves, let alone daily life with one!

Life with a hickman is very difficult, especially in a toddler! Even slight damage or movement to it can cause serious blood clots and worse. The hospital gave me a basic lesson in daily care and what to look for, and supplied some basic tools and clamps in case there was an accident. 

Infections are very common where the large tube goes into the chest, she got quite a few infections in the months she had it. It also can't get wet, so no baths between January and May! Some patients can have their hickman up to a few years, the plastic is quite durable, but it does deteriorate.

Whilst the hickman is in, it needs regular flushing with saline and heparin (done by a nurse) so that it keeps working.

StarGirls hickman only had the blue end, but it was used for chemotherapy, iv antibiotics, iv fluid, taking blood samples and flushing once a week.

Kidney removal scar, 10 weeks after op

Bethany's Wish Bravery Pack

When StarGirl was diagnosed only one charity popped up when I searched Wilms Tumour and that was Bethany's Wish.

Bethany was 8 when she lost her fight with cancer and her parents set up this charity to raise awareness of Wilms. Bethany's Wish website



After I found the charity on Twitter I sent them a message and Angela (Bethany's mum) explained they did Bravery Packs for children recently diagnosed.

StarGirls bravery pack arrived a couple of weeks later and Wow, what a gift!!!

Inside the huge outer box was a huge inner box full of treats and sweets and distractions, all items placed in the box for specific reasons, all tailored to StarGirls age as well!





There was a teddy with different hats for hairloss, a hickman line bag, a personalised keyring, booklets, sweets and organic dried fruit, bubble wands, a blanket, things to draw, a toy medical kit, a hat, a ball, books and puzzles for distraction, drinking cups, little cuddly toys, lip balm, hair accessories, blow up toys, stickers and 3d building toys.



StarGirl loved discovering all the toys and the light up butterfly wand!!

Bethany's Wish are doing amazing work to raise awareness, and are so kind to send these bravery packs out!!