This week I have finally after it being in for 8 months! had my Hickman (central venous catheter) line out.
The procedure itself is not painful just the injections beforehand sting a little. The doctor makes a few incisions around the line entrance so that the cuff under the skin which holds it in place can be cut free before pulling the line out from in the vein up over your collar bone and out through your chest. A few stitches to come out in a week and its done.
If I need any transfusions of blood or medicines in the future they can put a line into my arm or put another Hickman in if it is really needed.