These are the stitches placed in my neck to close up the incision made for the ECMO cannula. The thread was made of tough stuff, and Dr Porter even wrote on the dressing when said stitches should be removed. I was back at my local hospital for their removal. I’d never had stitches removed before, so the first time was from a main vein in my neck. To say I was worried would be an understatement. I had visions of seeing my blood spurting everywhere. But of course, it didn’t. I’m now left with a neat scar in its place. I call it my ECMO badge.
To the Dark and Back 