Power Hour Breakout
.jpg "Olivia Maccoux photo")
A patient’s experience of living with multiple complex and chronic medical issues which require chronic access needs.
This in itself makes everything more difficult, but the frequency of access also made her veins even more depleted than they already were as an ex-preemie. Olivia reflects on her experience growing up with these needs, and how traumatizing constantly being prodded with needles and not successfully getting a line was (her family even made a rule that the phlebotomist only got three attempts at getting an IV). Finally at the age of six her new doctor saw what this was doing to her emotionally and physically and knew something had to change. That is when they placed a portacath for her frequent access needs: ER visits, hydration, antibiotics, pain control, nutrition, lab draws, and brain surgeries. 17 years later, she still relies on a port whenever vascular access is required. Because her conditions are lifelong, incurable, and unpredictable she will require frequent access for the rest of her life, which is why she feels it’s so important that you hear her story (and all patient’s voices).