Drains

Texasgirl10 · May 2011

Ok, this is gonna sound gross but I feel like a cow with her utters attached to the milking machine. These 3 drains are driving me CRAZY. I see my surgeon tomorrow for the pathology report and I am soooo hoping that she takes these horrible things out of me.

My dad's boss' wife sewed pockets on the inside of all of my pajama tops so that the drains would not be flopping around and that has been wonderful. However, these darned things are stiched in and they are pulling and itching. Did I mention they are driving me crazy lol.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I hope you all are having a good day and feeling on top of the world.

Hugs,

Dawne

disneyfan2008 · May 2011

so sorry..I DID Not have
so sorry..I DID Not have drains but I am thinking of you...I am sure very annoying...to put it nicely...

Denise

butterflylvr · May 2011

disneyfan2008 said:
so sorry..I DID Not have
so sorry..I DID Not have drains but I am thinking of you...I am sure very annoying...to put it nicely...

Denise

Okay Dawne, I am not sure if
Okay Dawne, I am not sure if this will be good news for you or not. My drains had to stay in for three weeks. My fluid measurements were in the low 20's when they were finally taken out. When I had my mastectomy I was sent home with two cotton camisoles to wear. These Cami's had pockets on the inside near the bottom that held each drain. Then there was a couple of pockets about boobie height for the fake cotton boobies that came with the cami. It was quite convenient because it velcro'd up the front.

One of the things I noticed as I was draining my tubes was each time I worked the fluid down the tube into the ball, my lines would get longer from being stretched. Near the top of the ball you can see where this line attaches to the ball, I was able to remove mine and trim it back a bit so the tubes didn't hang out below the hemline of the top I was wearing.

Another source of comfort I found was to apply a bandaid over the incision site and then another bandaid a few inches away holding the tube arched. This second bandaid kind of acted like a sling and took the gravitational pull off my incision area.

Good luck, once they are out it's pure heaven.

Lorrie

teresa41 · May 2011

butterflylvr said:
Okay Dawne, I am not sure if
Okay Dawne, I am not sure if this will be good news for you or not. My drains had to stay in for three weeks. My fluid measurements were in the low 20's when they were finally taken out. When I had my mastectomy I was sent home with two cotton camisoles to wear. These Cami's had pockets on the inside near the bottom that held each drain. Then there was a couple of pockets about boobie height for the fake cotton boobies that came with the cami. It was quite convenient because it velcro'd up the front.

One of the things I noticed as I was draining my tubes was each time I worked the fluid down the tube into the ball, my lines would get longer from being stretched. Near the top of the ball you can see where this line attaches to the ball, I was able to remove mine and trim it back a bit so the tubes didn't hang out below the hemline of the top I was wearing.

Another source of comfort I found was to apply a bandaid over the incision site and then another bandaid a few inches away holding the tube arched. This second bandaid kind of acted like a sling and took the gravitational pull off my incision area.

Good luck, once they are out it's pure heaven.

Lorrie

drains
my drains stayed in for over a month i was so glad when they came out. hope they come out soon for you!

teresa

Texasgirl10 · May 2011

butterflylvr said:
Okay Dawne, I am not sure if
Okay Dawne, I am not sure if this will be good news for you or not. My drains had to stay in for three weeks. My fluid measurements were in the low 20's when they were finally taken out. When I had my mastectomy I was sent home with two cotton camisoles to wear. These Cami's had pockets on the inside near the bottom that held each drain. Then there was a couple of pockets about boobie height for the fake cotton boobies that came with the cami. It was quite convenient because it velcro'd up the front.

One of the things I noticed as I was draining my tubes was each time I worked the fluid down the tube into the ball, my lines would get longer from being stretched. Near the top of the ball you can see where this line attaches to the ball, I was able to remove mine and trim it back a bit so the tubes didn't hang out below the hemline of the top I was wearing.

Another source of comfort I found was to apply a bandaid over the incision site and then another bandaid a few inches away holding the tube arched. This second bandaid kind of acted like a sling and took the gravitational pull off my incision area.

Good luck, once they are out it's pure heaven.

Lorrie

Good advice
Thank You for the good advice Lorrie. I will try the bandaide. I don't think I can trim the tubing though. I do have the camisole that you are talking about, but I have found the pajama tops are working better for me. They button up so I am getting the same effect as the camisole. I am not draining much at all. about 30 ml now. My doc said last week that they can come out when I'm at 30 or less per day. I am keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Thanks again for the good pointers and I'll let you know how the bandaide works for me

Hugs,

Dawne

canoegirl · May 2011

butterflylvr said:
Okay Dawne, I am not sure if
Okay Dawne, I am not sure if this will be good news for you or not. My drains had to stay in for three weeks. My fluid measurements were in the low 20's when they were finally taken out. When I had my mastectomy I was sent home with two cotton camisoles to wear. These Cami's had pockets on the inside near the bottom that held each drain. Then there was a couple of pockets about boobie height for the fake cotton boobies that came with the cami. It was quite convenient because it velcro'd up the front.

One of the things I noticed as I was draining my tubes was each time I worked the fluid down the tube into the ball, my lines would get longer from being stretched. Near the top of the ball you can see where this line attaches to the ball, I was able to remove mine and trim it back a bit so the tubes didn't hang out below the hemline of the top I was wearing.

Another source of comfort I found was to apply a bandaid over the incision site and then another bandaid a few inches away holding the tube arched. This second bandaid kind of acted like a sling and took the gravitational pull off my incision area.

Good luck, once they are out it's pure heaven.

Lorrie

Why didn't I think of that?
The bandaid (or paper tape if you're allergic to bandaids) is a great idea. Wish I'd thought of it. I had my drains in for over 2 weeks for both of my surgeries and the last drain to come out seemed to be pulling out of my body. The stich holding it in kept getting more and more stretched. I went to a different dr to get the drains out and he had stricter standards for the amount of drainage so I had to keep them an extra week. I was ready to pull them out myself! HATED them! For the reconstruction surgery (DEIP) the ones that stayed in the longest were near my pelvis, so they were hanging down between inside my pants and I think that added to the pulling. Looked kinda funny when you think about it!

BUT...having had a hematoma from a surgery where the surgeon didn't use a drain and waking up to a puddle on my sheets from it, I'm glad these surgeons used them.

Hang in there! As soon as they are out, you'll feel better.
Hugs,
Marcy

jessiesmom1 · May 2011

The Dreaded Drains
Hi Dawne,

I have had surgical drains twice so far. Once after the axillary dissection and again after my right mastectomy. Last week I went to the reconstructive surgeon to discuss my tissue expander exchange surgery and he told me I would come home with TWO drains. I just about cried. While they do not hurt, they are uncomfortable and as you said, they drive me CRAZY, also. I always wear pants or shorts with pockets and I would just put the drain bulbs in my pockets. I wear tops long enough to cover the pockets so they really cannot be seen. When I shower I have my husband tape the tubing to my rib cage using white surgical tape. You can buy it in just about any drugstore. As someone else mentioned, the drains are removed when the fluid measures <30cc over a 24hour period. They might not all come out at the same time unfortunately. Surgery, chemo, drains, etc. - quite the unwanted education, isn't it?

IRENE

Jean 0609 · May 2011

Hi Dawne,
I only came home with one drain. That was bad enough. It came out after 10 days. That was absolutely the worst part. I slept in the recliner for those 10 days.

xoxo,
Jean

Gabe N Abby Mom · May 2011

Oh Dawne, I so feel your
Oh Dawne, I so feel your frustration, they drove me crazy too. What are your fluid levels? My doc said below 30 too, but pulled the last one out at 2 and half weeks even though fluid was still high. It was red and irriated (no infection) and I was in a hurry to get rads started and finished. Let us know what the doc says about them.

Big Soothing Hugs,

Linda

missrenee · May 2011

Gabe N Abby Mom said:
Oh Dawne, I so feel your
Oh Dawne, I so feel your frustration, they drove me crazy too. What are your fluid levels? My doc said below 30 too, but pulled the last one out at 2 and half weeks even though fluid was still high. It was red and irriated (no infection) and I was in a hurry to get rads started and finished. Let us know what the doc says about them.

Big Soothing Hugs,

Linda

Yes, I hated that drain situation too
I used paper tape (so I wouldn't get an irritation or rash) to tape down the tubing. That helped from it flapping around or pulling at the insertion site. I had the drain in for 5 weeks--my surgeon wouldn't remove it until I drained less than 30 cc. for 3 days straight. He said he had too many women want it removed too early--and then had to come into the office to drain fluid with a syringe every other day. Good thing I only had one drain.

Hopefully, your drainage will stop soon and the drains can be removed. Just know, though, as long as they are draining a certain amount, it is very good to keep them in to avoid having to have the areas drained with a needle at the doctors office every other day.

Drains--A necessary evil!

Good luck tomorrow.

Hugs, Renee

margz35 · May 2011

Hang in there with the drains
I had one drain with my mastectomy early in March and then another drain 3 weeks later for my auxiliary nodes dissection. Drains are horrible but once they are out - all is good. Do you have a pain pump too? That was worse for me. At least the drains are not like being attached to a bible sized box!

Hang in there - they will be out soon!
Margz

Katmy · May 2011

Drains beat a clot
I had a drain for 3 weeks and it also began to itch and hurt around the site by my ribs. My surgeon said that I should tolerate the discomfort because premature removal means having the cavity sucked out with a needle regularly. Multiple complications arise from premature removal: surgeon would not clear me for radiation until the surgical site was healed. I was anxious to heal and move on with other cancer fighting treatments. The surgeon also said that if I develop fluid under the skin, a needle could puncture my lung. That would definitely delay cancer treatment. So, think of the consequences of removing the drains too soon and choose your lesser evil. Every one is different.

It was definitely a pain in the neck, but it was temporary.

RozHopkins · May 2011

Drains
The drains were the only bothersome thing to me. Smelly, annoying, the pain from these were the only pain I had worth mentioning, whatever I did to try and be comfortable didn't do much. Took some time for entrance area to heal. Agree, they are the best alternative, worth it in the end. Like most, had mine in for 2 weeks, both at different times. Dont worry it will pass and then you can just look back at that time with a scowl.

Lighthouse_7 · May 2011

RozHopkins said:
Drains
The drains were the only bothersome thing to me. Smelly, annoying, the pain from these were the only pain I had worth mentioning, whatever I did to try and be comfortable didn't do much. Took some time for entrance area to heal. Agree, they are the best alternative, worth it in the end. Like most, had mine in for 2 weeks, both at different times. Dont worry it will pass and then you can just look back at that time with a scowl.

Hi Dawne,
I did hate my
Hi Dawne,
I did hate my drains. In the hospital they used a large safety pin to hold them up which I would pin to my johnny.
When I got home I used it just the way they did.
It helped so much and prevented that pulling feeling.
Good luck.
hugs,
Wanda

cahjah75 · May 2011

Dawne
vent all you want. The drains were annoying to say the least. My surgeon removed them 10 days after surgery as there was very little collecting. What a relief. The tiny holes healed quickly. I wore camisole that had velcroed pockets and that was so much more comfortable.
{{hugs}} Char

Rague · May 2011

Don't be in too big of a hurry!
Drains are annoying - but not as bad as dealing with seromas!

One drain was taken out at 2 weeks post, the other at 4 weeks post because even though it was still draining more than ideal surgeon thought that it might be causing irriation that was encouraging the drainage so he took it out - WRONG. Developed a fairly large seroma - which was still showing up on scans over a year later. Dealing with a large seroma is much worse than putting up with a little inconvience with a drain.

I do 'tubbies', not showers, so wasn't a problem either - just lay the bulbs up on the soap shelf. Also i wear jueans all the time so just used a bandage pin (huge safety pin) to the belt loop and at night the top of sweat bottoms (I was always 'freezing' then so sweats it was to sleep in).

carkris · May 2011

Rague said:
Don't be in too big of a hurry!
Drains are annoying - but not as bad as dealing with seromas!

One drain was taken out at 2 weeks post, the other at 4 weeks post because even though it was still draining more than ideal surgeon thought that it might be causing irriation that was encouraging the drainage so he took it out - WRONG. Developed a fairly large seroma - which was still showing up on scans over a year later. Dealing with a large seroma is much worse than putting up with a little inconvience with a drain.

I do 'tubbies', not showers, so wasn't a problem either - just lay the bulbs up on the soap shelf. Also i wear jueans all the time so just used a bandage pin (huge safety pin) to the belt loop and at night the top of sweat bottoms (I was always 'freezing' then so sweats it was to sleep in).

I hated those drains. i did
I hated those drains. i did get seroma and had to be aspirated, then i was in danger of having the drain reinserted but he wrapped an ace bandage around my chest and I kept it there for 6 weeks, just changing it to shower. try to avoid twisting motions, the tissue needs to tack down so fluid does not collect. Anyway hope they come out soon!

Drains

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