Ohilly's horrible day

ohilly
ohilly Member Posts: 441
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had a mastectomy on Feb. 21 and had a horrible day yesterday: I wonder if anyone else has had these experiences - I had problems urinating after my surgery (thankfully, I now have the ability to pee back). Anyway, I had gone to see the urologist to have the catheter removed. After the appt. I was told to walk around the hospital and see if I could pee. While my husband and I were in the cafeteria, I was suddenly overtaken by a wave of nausea and dizziness. They had to call a code and I was taken to the ER where I was put on an IV. It is still unclear what happened, but it seems I was dehydrated. I have been drinking a lot, but one nurse said I probably lost a lot of blood in the surgery and should eat a lot of red meat like steak, etc., or things high in protein. Anyway, that's not the worst that happened: because of the ER incident, my clothes were all messed up when I got in the car to go home. Probably because I was upset and not paying attention, somehow one of the drains got caught in the carseat and snapped off! I immediately called my plastic surgeon and we had to drive 45 minutes to go out there. The nurse basically just bandaged me up, but told me she cannot replace this drain because I guess it was surgically attached. She indicated I would just have to see the plastic surgeon more often because of the mishap and that they could drain out the liquid with a needle. Tomorrow I have an appt. with the plastic surgeon, so we'll see. In the meantime, I keep on blaming myself and feeling terrible that I snapped off the drain and was not more careful. I am trying to drink more gatorade, but I still feel very weak and dizzy. Anyway, if anyone can relate, please write in. Tomorrow I am also supposed to get the final path report. I have noticed that I am extremely emotional and crying all the time. Ohilly

Comments

  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #2
    Ohilly I am so sorry you had such a difficult day! I wish I were there to help you! I didn't much care for my drain after my mastectomy. I had mine last March so it has been nearly a year for me. I can only tell you that it does get better! I realize that this is such an emotional time for you and crying is okay! Know that we are praying for you Ohilly. Lots of hugs and prayers from me to you!

    Rena
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    So SORRY for all this ohilly. Glad you got your 'p' back though. Major upgrade, huh?
    Not to feel guilty about the drain thing. It happened. After all you went through, good it was nothing worse.
    I relate to the nausea and dizziness. I almost passed out while getting dressed to leave the hospital after my first mast. But was in the room by myself and DID NOT tell anyone. No way I wasn't going home! LOL
    Will look for your post tomorrow. Hugs.
    (BTW...nothing like a good cry when nothing else is working :-)
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #4
    I'm sad to hear that you had a day of mishaps and misery. I'm sure your plastic surgeon will give you some reassurance and that once you get your path report, you will begin to feel better about everything else. Here comes a Mother Marilynn lecture LOL: The road to recovery is just that -- a road. It's full of twists and turns and little fender benders that we are never prepared for no matter how hard we try. You can't organize breast cancer, breast cancer organizes you for at least 6 - 9 months of your life.

    Please try to relax and don't be so hard on yourself. TEARS are GOOD! You need them every once in a while. Plus, you need 2 -3 litres of water daily. I know that sounds like a lot, but all the girls on this site recommended this to me and it works. They've made me an advocate for drinking plenty of water. Hang in there my friend. Good luck today with the path report. Thinking of you, Marilynn
  • jackiemanz
    jackiemanz Member Posts: 85
    #5
    Ohilly, I am so sorry to hear that after everything you have gone through so far that this had to happen to you. I had my bilateral March 2007 and I can tell you for sure you will have some good and bad days to start off with but eventually there will be more good. My drains I hated them they seemed to always get in the way after they came out I had fluid build up around one of my implants that had to be drained. They used a surgical needle to do that and it didn't hurt that bad.

    After my bilateral I too went through a crying stage my husband didn't know what to do with me cause no matter what he said or did I would cry. What one of my doctors told me on one of my visit is our bodies and our minds have been through alot lately with all the highs and lows trying to deal with everthing going on. If you think you might need some help to get through it don't be ashamed to ask for help so he gave me a prescription for Lexapro and within a week the crying stopped and I started to feel human again. So if you think you need help don't be afraid to ask for help from anyone and know that we are here to also help you.

    Big Hug for ya.
    Jackie
  • survivor51
    survivor51 Member Posts: 276
    #6
    Ohilly,
    As to the drain, don't worry because those things do happen. Many times I did not close the top correctly and it went all over...yuck. I did pull one drain out and it was held on with a few stitches. Not to worry. I had to go to the plastic surgeon each week to get the saline to stretch the extender and they just pulled out fluid if I had a back up. These things happen. As to feeling tired, nauseated, dizzy, remember you have been through major surgery. It takes time for your body to wake up after all the drugs that went in to keep you asleep. Continue drinking your fluids, and remember rest, rest, rest. You have been through both physical and emotional trauma. Be kind to yourself and remember, take time. Keeping you in my prayers. Angela
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #7
    Your post reminded me of the children's book "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"!!!

    I am really glad that you have this place to relate all details of your ongoing Cancer Battle to! And happily, it seems that many of the things you have experienced are not unknown to us! Otherwise, you would surely feel you are in the Twilight Zone!

    So sorry that all things are not going smoothly; I feel confident that you will have this behind you soon, and that you will be the one offering advice and encouragement to those who come in after you!!! Keep the Faith!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • survivor51
    survivor51 Member Posts: 276
    #8
    chenheart said:

    Your post reminded me of the children's book "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"!!!

    I am really glad that you have this place to relate all details of your ongoing Cancer Battle to! And happily, it seems that many of the things you have experienced are not unknown to us! Otherwise, you would surely feel you are in the Twilight Zone!

    So sorry that all things are not going smoothly; I feel confident that you will have this behind you soon, and that you will be the one offering advice and encouragement to those who come in after you!!! Keep the Faith!

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Chen, I love that book and for years always read it to my students. Thanks for the memory. Angela
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #9
    Sounds like you had a really rough day. Don't blame yourself for damaging the drain, these things happen and you were already distraught from the other events. Easy enough to do.

    You've been through a lot, try to go easy on yourself. Crying is good, healing and cleansing.
    Soon you'll be feeling much better.
    Big Hug
    jan
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #10
    Hey Ohilly:
    Sorry you've had such a terrible day. Don't worry about the drain, it would have had to come out within a week anyway. Now you need to rest and let everyone pamper you. Drink lots of fluids and have many small meals through out the day. It will get better just takes a little time. Big hug for you. Lili
  • juststarting
    juststarting Member Posts: 3
    #11
    Ohilly, my sister Angela (she wrote you) went through some of the things you have, and along with it went the crying. Believe me it will get better. Your body has gone through quite a change and has to readjust. Rest will be your best friend. Keep your mind busy when you are starting to feel the emotions are over taking you. I have you in my prayers. Clare

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