Last drain & set of stitches is finally out!

They pulled the last drain this morning, even though it's putting out over 40cc's a day. I go back next week for follow up they told me what to watch for so I don't get a seroma. I plan to be very proactive with this as I have had enough crap the last 6 weeks. Last set of stitches came out too, and the nipple that almost peeled off is healing nicely now. Will have to wear binders at least 2-4 more weeks as I still have good amount of swelling.

The blood clot in my left shoulder must be shrinking a little or I guess the blood thinners are working well as the gal at the (say it with me) Anticoagulation Monitoring Service says my INR is 1.9-2.0 which is right where it needs to be. So no pain associated with that in over a week which is helping physiologically.

Tomorrow after waiting 6 weeks I will finally be able to commence operation DESTANKIFICATION!
(if it's not a word it should be) I will finally be able to take a shower. Just in time as I go back to work on the 5th, I'm sure my co-worker's will appreciate it. Also the FUNK that has been misting over the eastern end of nebraska should finally start to dissipate.

I appreciate everyone's support and kind words, the last few weeks have been rough and the extended little pitty party I have had probably needs to come to an end now. We'll see how it goes from here.

Thanks,
Bubba

So glad to hear things are finally looking up.  Enjoy the Shower!!!!

Well praise Jesus!!! So glad for you!!! Is there actually something you can do to prevent seromas once the drains are out?? I just added up my last 24 hour output--one is over 200cc, two are mid 100's, and one is around 80. Seems hopeless to me at this point. Guess I should be asking if this is even in the normal range of output--seems like a lot to me. Ugh.



Hope everything continues to go well!



Denise

I think to prevent a seroma the easiest thing I can do is to wear the compression garments. I am wearing a compression shirt, abdominal binder, & chest binder now. I plan to go back to MALWART and buy some compression underwear to help things out.

I know it seems hopeless on the drains, it can take weeks for those things to slow down it's crazy! To put it into prespective 30cc's is roughly an ounce. I totaled up all my drains for the 6 weeks and got about 170 ounces or just over 1.32 gallons. (this is where the eeewww factor starts to come in) The way your draining you might give me a run for my money, if I had any. I guess like one of the PA's told me, some people are just (drainers). Sounds like slang for a druggy in some b-grade futuristic sci-fi movie.

It'll get better hang in there,
Bubba

Well at least while I'm waiting I have your posts to giggle at! You are too funny. Darn, I threw away my first sheet of #'s. Maybe I'll start playing drain output bingo. My girls already take bets on how much each one will produce. I love it when #2 suddenly becomes the low output one--really throws them for a loop! LOL!  

I guess the really irritating part of it is that the drains are preventing me from getting the kind of compression garment I really need and want to wear. And the shower thing. I actually have gotten around that by taping a black trashbag around my waist. That protects the drains and my wound and I can feel the sweet, warm sensation of water on the old bod.

I thought what Dr. L said on this forum about drains being near a lymphatic vessle and causing endless draining was interesting. I've got a call into my surgeon. Hopefully they'll have something to offer.

Enjoy that shower!!

Denise

Finally had a freakin shower yesterday, better than I remember. Got through my first night of work ok, better than I thought anyways. Only issue is that last drain they pulled it is still leaking some, have to keep changing gauze on it but will keep an eye make sure I don't get seroma. That DR. L had a couple of good points I go back 14th for a follow up if anything looks funny I will mention the ultrasound to them and see what they say.

Have a good one
Bubba

Whoo hooo!!! I thought it was smellin' better out there!!! LOL!! I'm glad work went okay. What do you do? Hope it's not too physical.
I didn't even think about the incisions still draining once the drains were out! Ugh! I talked to the dr. office today and they just said for me to get used to the drains. Really? I was soooo excited because 2 of my drains only put out 20 and 25cc in 24 hours. Then, the very next time I did my drains, they put out 40 and 50cc. What the hell?? I see them next Tuesday and hope to have them out then. I'm just not thinking about it until it gets closer to Tuesday. And if it goes longer, so be it.

We'll have to form a support group for people who have drains in for a long time!! Guess I can't complain...next Tuesday would be 3-1/2 weeks, so if they come out then, that will be pretty darn good!

Take good care!!
Denise

OK, now you hurt my little feelings :(this is where I pout for several minutes): Anywho, I work in the quality assurance dept, I actually spend most of my day opening peoples' mail. (HEHE) We mail out a couple million credit card statements & letters daily. My job is go around and do random quality checks to make sure people are doing there job properly and document if I find something out of specs. (I'm kind of like Barney fife without a gun) I have a cubicle, so I do get to sit 1-2 hours daily and I don't lift over 10 pounds with little stress, so I can't really complain too much.
 
When I was down to 3 drains for my TT the outside 2 were doing under 20 the middle was 30 or so, when they pulled outside 2, next 3 days middle put out over 70 cc's everyday so keep that in mind. It looks like this last one stopped leaking. The best bandaid I found that finally did trick was nexcare waterproof bandaid the big one. I cut a small piece of gauze and put it on drain site and put bandaid over it. (Held up to 2 showers it is waterproof) took it off this afternoon no leakage yah me self high five!

Of course we will call the support group DRAINERS. Do you suppose we can use j.p. drain as our logo?
We will have to draft by-laws, annual membership dues, etc.

Good luck next week I'll keep my drains crossed for ya (OH, wait I don't have any) LOL!!
Bubba

If you happen to come across my statement, do you mind zeroing out my balance? Then we can both have little stress!

Funny enough I just bought the very bandaids you are talking about. They are awesome and I'll have to remember your trick.

I hope once these stupid things are out that I won't be dealing with ongoing drainage, but if so, at least I'll have our support group. I think in order to gain admission, they have to have at least 2 drains, draining 75cc per day or more. I will definitely be the leader because drain #2 has been putting out an average of 150cc per day. We should consider a location with good ventilation considering none of us will have showered in weeks. Perhaps we can give our new members those little smelly trees to hang around their necks!

I'll let you know how next week goes. I'll cross my drains (sure, rub it in that you don't have any!). LOL!

Have a great weekend!

Denise
DRAINERS Leader and co-founder

DRAINERS LEADER, WOW already put ourselves in the driver's seat have we. I'm going to have to call my homeboy Warren buffet and stage hostile takeover of support group so I can have 51% of controlling stock. LOL!

I do like idea of air freshners I could go for dead skunk or midwest cattle farm myself. I think as far as location goes the local city dump should do, we will bring chairs & ear plugs and write everything on notes so the bulldozers don't bug us.

Bubba
Future CEO, Supreme ruler, CFO, of DRAINERS