🏉 The Hickman Line – Sammy’s “Wigglies” Explained! 💙

If there’s one thing we’ve learned on this journey, it’s that needles and ALL go hand in hand – and not in a good way.

At the start, Sammy was a human pin cushion. Every blood test, every chemo dose, every fluid drip – another needle. Some days, his veins didn’t want to play ball, meaning he had to go through the ordeal of multiple cannulas being inserted. Traumatic doesn’t even cover it.

Then came the game-changer—the Hickman Line. 🎉

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🏥 What is a Hickman Line?

A Hickman Line is a soft, flexible tube inserted into a large vein in the chest, allowing doctors and nurses to:
✔️ Give chemotherapy, fluids, and blood transfusions 💉
✔️ Take blood tests without needing needles 🩸
✔️ Avoid constantly inserting cannulas 🚫

Basically, it’s like having a VIP fast pass for treatment—no more getting jabbed every five minutes! 🙌

Different Types of “Lines”

There are a few types of central lines used in ALL treatment:

🩸 Hickman Line – This is what Sammy has, with two external tubes (wigglies) coming from his chest.
🩸 Port-a-Cath (Port) – A small, implanted device under the skin where a needle is inserted when needed.
🩸 PICC Line – A line inserted into the arm instead of the chest, often used for shorter-term treatment.

Each has its pros and cons, but for Sammy, the Hickman Line was a game-changer.

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🏗️ How is the Hickman Line Fitted?

I won’t lie—the thought of this procedure was nerve-racking. But, having been through it, I can tell you:

✅ It’s a quick operation under general anaesthetic.
✅ The tube is inserted into a large vein, tunnelled under the skin, and exits near the chest.
✅ The “wigglies” (external tubes) are what the nurses use for treatment.

For Sammy, waking up with it felt a bit strange at first, but once he realised it meant no more endless needles, it was a huge relief.

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🎭 Meet Sammy’s Wigglies: Marcus & Bruno!

Now, we all know kids like to make things their own—and Sammy’s wigglies (the tubes coming out of his chest) are no exception.

👑 Marcus – Named after Marcus Smith, England’s electric fly-half and one of Sammy’s favourite rugby players. (We’d argue he’s still underrated!)
🎤 Bruno – Named after Bruno Mars, Sammy’s favourite artist! (Though parents, a word of caution—don’t listen to ‘Die with a Smile’ when you’re feeling a little emotional … absolute tearjerker! 😭)

These names make the wigglies feel less scary and help Sammy take ownership of them. It’s small things like this that really make a difference.

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🛠️ Looking After a Hickman Line – Do’s & Don’ts!

Having a Hickman Line is amazing, but it does come with some responsibilities. Here’s a quick guide to keeping it safe:

✅ Do’s

✔️ Keep it dry – No swimming or soaking baths! (We’ll sort out a Slammin’ Shield for that soon! 😉)
✔️ Keep it clean – The dressing needs to be changed regularly to prevent infections.
✔️ Flush it regularly – Nurses will do this to keep it working properly.
✔️ Be gentle – Teach your child that it’s super important and needs to be looked after.

❌ Don’ts

🚫 No rough play – Rugby tackles are off the cards for now! (Unless we bubble-wrap him. 🤔)
🚫 Don’t panic if it blocks – It happens! There are ways to unblock it.
🚫 Avoid tight clothing over the site – Comfort is key!

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😱 What If It Stops Working?!

Trust me, the first time this happened, we were in full-blown panic mode.

“Is it broken?!” “Does he need another surgery?” “What do we do?!”

Relax. This is actually really common.

Nurses have loads of tricks to get the line working again, including:
🔹 Getting your child to cough or move around.
🔹 A big, loud roar like a lion! (Sammy swears by this method. 🦁)
🔹 Flushing with a special solution to clear the blockage.

Sometimes, the blockage is just a tiny bit of skin or a small clot, and nurses can sort it with special medicine.

Bottom line: Don’t panic. The hospital team knows what they’re doing.

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🩸 The Hickman Line = A Lifesaver!

Since having his Hickman Line, Sammy has been through:
✅ Chemo through his wigglies.
✅ Fluids to keep him hydrated.
✅ His first blood transfusion. (More on that in another post—blood donors are heroes! 🩸💙)

Yes, it comes with a bit of extra care, but honestly?
It’s made life SO much easier.

For any parents worried about their child getting a Hickman Line, my advice?
It’s 100% worth it.

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🏉 Final Thoughts – The Rugby Spirit Lives On!

The Hickman Line might have put Sammy on the sidelines for a while, but the rugby spirit?
That’s still going strong. 💪

From naming his wigglies after legends to keeping strong through the tough days, this kid is an absolute warrior.

If your child is about to have a Hickman Line fitted, I hope this post helps prepare you and puts your mind at ease. 💙

And remember—stay hydrated, keep moving, and if in doubt… ROAR like a lion! 🦁🔥

📢 Any other parents got tips for looking after a Hickman Line? Drop them in the comments!

#SlamminSamB #ALLAwareness #HickmanLine #Wigglies #RugbyVsCancer #StayStrong #WarriorMode 🏉💙