đ The Hickman Line â Sammyâs âWiggliesâ Explained! đ
If thereâs one thing weâve learned on this journey, itâs 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 didnât want to play ball, meaning he had to go through the ordeal of multiple cannulas being inserted. Traumatic doesnât even cover it.
Then came the game-changerâthe Hickman Line. đ
đ„ 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:
âïž Give chemotherapy, fluids, and blood transfusions đ
âïž Take blood tests without needing needles đ©ž
âïž Avoid constantly inserting cannulas đ«
Basically, itâs like having a VIP fast pass for treatmentâno more getting jabbed every five minutes! đ
Different Types of “Lines”
There are a few types of central lines used in ALL treatment:
đ©ž Hickman Line â This is what Sammy has, with two external tubes (wigglies) coming from his chest.
đ©ž Port-a-Cath (Port) â A small, implanted device under the skin where a needle is inserted when needed.
đ©ž PICC Line â 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.
đïž How is the Hickman Line Fitted?
I wonât lieâthe thought of this procedure was nerve-racking. But, having been through it, I can tell you:
â
Itâs a quick operation under general anaesthetic.
â
The tube is inserted into a large vein, tunnelled under the skin, and exits near the chest.
â
The âwiggliesâ (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.
đ Meet Sammyâs Wigglies: Marcus & Bruno!
Now, we all know kids like to make things their ownâand Sammyâs wigglies (the tubes coming out of his chest) are no exception.
đ Marcus â Named after Marcus Smith, Englandâs electric fly-half and one of Sammyâs favourite rugby players. (Weâd argue heâs still underrated!)
đ€ Bruno â Named after Bruno Mars, Sammyâs favourite artist! (Though parents, a word of cautionâdonât listen to âDie with a Smileâ when youâre feeling a little emotional ⊠absolute tearjerker! đ)
These names make the wigglies feel less scary and help Sammy take ownership of them. Itâs small things like this that really make a difference.
đ ïž Looking After a Hickman Line â Doâs & Donâts!
Having a Hickman Line is amazing, but it does come with some responsibilities. Hereâs a quick guide to keeping it safe:
â Doâs
âïž Keep it dry â No swimming or soaking baths! (Weâll sort out a Slamminâ Shield for that soon! đ)
âïž Keep it clean â The dressing needs to be changed regularly to prevent infections.
âïž Flush it regularly â Nurses will do this to keep it working properly.
âïž Be gentle â Teach your child that itâs super important and needs to be looked after.
â Donâts
đ« No rough play â Rugby tackles are off the cards for now! (Unless we bubble-wrap him. đ€)
đ« Donât panic if it blocks â It happens! There are ways to unblock it.
đ« Avoid tight clothing over the site â Comfort is key!
đ± 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:
đč Getting your child to cough or move around.
đč A big, loud roar like a lion! (Sammy swears by this method. đŠ)
đč 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: Donât panic. The hospital team knows what theyâre doing.
đ©ž The Hickman Line = A Lifesaver!
Since having his Hickman Line, Sammy has been through:
â
Chemo through his wigglies.
â
Fluids to keep him hydrated.
â
His first blood transfusion. (More on that in another postâblood donors are heroes! đ©žđ)
Yes, it comes with a bit of extra care, but honestly?
Itâs made life SO much easier.
For any parents worried about their child getting a Hickman Line, my advice?
Itâs 100% worth it.
đ Final Thoughts â The Rugby Spirit Lives On!
The Hickman Line might have put Sammy on the sidelines for a while, but the rugby spirit?
Thatâs still going strong. đȘ
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. đ
And rememberâstay hydrated, keep moving, and if in doubt⊠ROAR like a lion! đŠđ„
đą Any other parents got tips for looking after a Hickman Line? Drop them in the comments!





#SlamminSamB #ALLAwareness #HickmanLine #Wigglies #RugbyVsCancer #StayStrong #WarriorMode đđ
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