The Drain

posted Monday, 4 July 2005

Ok, so having them make two 2-inch incisions in your body and remove tissue could prove to be a bit uncomfortable.  However, it was the "side-effects" of the surgery that caused more discomfort than the actual surgery itself.  Which, I guess is a good thing and means Dr D knows what she's doing.  Some valuable lessons I've learned about major surgery:

• General Anesthesia sucks -  Not only did it make me sick, I am sure it killed brain cells.  I was in a haze all week long.
• Valium, Morphine & Percocet work - I am all about "just saying NO" in my daily life... but in this instance, I just said YES.  Granted, I only took the perc for a few days, but I don't think I would have been off the couch on day 2 without it (though I'm sure I was *supposed* to stay on the couch!)
• If they tell you to take a "stool softener" because of the anesthesia, don't forget too - No further explaination needed
• Don't use white sports tape to tape gauze to your underarm & breast - There is a reason they use pre-wrap under that stuff when they wrap your ankle... not only does it pull out hair, but the tape can pull off skin, causing tape-burn.
• The "Drain" is a drain - Ok, so you leave the hospital with this "drain" hanging out of your armpit, just below the incision.  The drain is to collect fluid and blood that would otherwise either seep out of the wound or collect under your skin.  So I can see the benefits.  The drain is a clear plastic tube (the width of a drinking straw) that is implanted under your incision.  At the end of the tube is a clear rubber bobble (like on a turkey baster), that collects the drainage & you empty it periodically.  At home, I safety-pinned the drain to my shirt, but in public, I tried to tuck it in my pocket.  Of course, forget about this trick when you go to the ladies room and you'll be reminded right quick.  As long as the drain is in, you can't shower.  So not only did I look super-hot with this drain, I stunk too... The gentleman callers were banging down my door!  My drain was in for nearly a week.  Dr D met me on Monday, July 4 to take it out.  As we are about to get started she says "Now this may smart a little" YEOW!  Understatement!  She yanks on the drain, saying "you'll see in a minute why this hurt so much".  She has pulled out a 2 inch rectangle of plastic with little holes in it that was stuck inside of me... no wonder every move hurt... no wonder the removal (square peg through a round hole) hurt... but it did feel good to finally have it out!

It's now one week since the surgery.  While the incisions are still a bit sore (especially the one under my arm), I am feeling much more like my normal self.  I am trying not to do too much with that arm (with the lymph node removal, I am at risk for some serious swelling in that arm, so I have to be smart) while getting settled in my new home. 
If you want to see the incisions, just ask... but you may want to plug your nose though... no deodarant in that armpit and it's been pretty warm out!
Relevant Links:  http://www.breastcancer.org/tre_surg_drains.html