Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 , The drains drain any fluid you have. I had two " tubes " leading into one pouch or little bottle. After the drainage is a certain amt they know its safe to remove them with hopefully no more fluid build up. I came home with mine and took care of them till the surgeon took them out. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com More mastectomy questions My surgery isn't scheduled yet, but I'm sure it will be here before I know it. Thanks a for asking your questions and thanks to everyone for all the answers. Can someone explain in excruciating detail about the drains? I don't understand what they are and how it works. Thanks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.5/450 - Release Date: 9/18/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Thanks nne. More: Where do the tubes come from? under the arm? what does the fluid that drains look like? (ooh, getting nauseous just thinking about it). How big is the bottle they drain into? How often do you have to empty it? Do you just empty into the sink? How does the surgeon take them out. > > , > The drains drain any fluid you have. I had two " tubes " leading into one pouch or little bottle. After the drainage is a certain amt they know its safe to remove them with hopefully no more fluid build up. I came home with mine and took care of them till the surgeon took them out. > Hugs > nne > Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html > BreastCancerStories.com > http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ > Angel Feather Loomer > www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com > Check out my other ornaments at > www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html > Lots of info and gifts at: > www.cancerclub.com > More mastectomy questions > > > My surgery isn't scheduled yet, but I'm sure it will be here before I > know it. Thanks a for asking your questions and thanks to > everyone for all the answers. > > Can someone explain in excruciating detail about the drains? I don't > understand what they are and how it works. Thanks. > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.5/450 - Release Date: 9/18/2006 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Thanks nne. More: Where do the tubes come from? under the arm? what does the fluid that drains look like? (ooh, getting nauseous just thinking about it). How big is the bottle they drain into? How often do you have to empty it? Do you just empty into the sink? How does the surgeon take them out. > > , > The drains drain any fluid you have. I had two " tubes " leading into one pouch or little bottle. After the drainage is a certain amt they know its safe to remove them with hopefully no more fluid build up. I came home with mine and took care of them till the surgeon took them out. > Hugs > nne > Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html > BreastCancerStories.com > http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ > Angel Feather Loomer > www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com > Check out my other ornaments at > www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html > Lots of info and gifts at: > www.cancerclub.com > More mastectomy questions > > > My surgery isn't scheduled yet, but I'm sure it will be here before I > know it. Thanks a for asking your questions and thanks to > everyone for all the answers. > > Can someone explain in excruciating detail about the drains? I don't > understand what they are and how it works. Thanks. > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.5/450 - Release Date: 9/18/2006 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 The tubes came from under the incision. Not under the arm. Its been over 16 yrs since my surgery but I think the drainage was a little bloody looking. Not 100% sure. When he took them out it didn't hurt at all. Actually I was thinking it would so kept looking at my husband. All I felt was like someone was running their fingernail lightly across my skin. No pain what so ever. I think I emptied mine twice a day. By the time I went home, after 2 1/2 days there wasn't much in there at all. My bottle wasn't real big. If I remember right, about the size of an orange? I could hide it under my dress with no problem. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com More mastectomy questions > > > My surgery isn't scheduled yet, but I'm sure it will be here before I > know it. Thanks a for asking your questions and thanks to > everyone for all the answers. > > Can someone explain in excruciating detail about the drains? I don't > understand what they are and how it works. Thanks. > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.5/450 - Release Date: 9/18/2006 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 My drains were on my stomach – but it’s the same principle…my fluid was a reddish-brown. I assumed that the fluid was water and blood. The sac that they drained into was about the size of a golf ball – but flattened. I emptied it about 4 times a day into a measuring container. I had to write down how much liquid each time. Then I threw it in the toilet. I had 3 drains, 2 taken out in the hospital and one in the doctor’s office a week later. They simply cut a stitch that was holding them in and pulled the tube out – it was completely painless. Hope this helps. Re: More mastectomy questions Thanks nne. More: Where do the tubes come from? under the arm? what does the fluid that drains look like? (ooh, getting nauseous just thinking about it). How big is the bottle they drain into? How often do you have to empty it? Do you just empty into the sink? How does the surgeon take them out. > > , > The drains drain any fluid you have. I had two " tubes " leading into one pouch or little bottle. After the drainage is a certain amt they know its safe to remove them with hopefully no more fluid build up. I came home with mine and took care of them till the surgeon took them out. > Hugs > nne > Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html <http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html> > BreastCancerStories.com > http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ <http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/> > Angel Feather Loomer > www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com > Check out my other ornaments at > www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html > Lots of info and gifts at: > www.cancerclub.com > More mastectomy questions > > > My surgery isn't scheduled yet, but I'm sure it will be here before I > know it. Thanks a for asking your questions and thanks to > everyone for all the answers. > > Can someone explain in excruciating detail about the drains? I don't > understand what they are and how it works. Thanks. > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.5/450 - Release Date: 9/18/2006 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 great idea those shirts with pockets..... only thing I could think of was telling my aunts to wear their bra around the waist and put one bottle on each bra cup ..... we try to find humor as much as posible .... they called those drains , " the babies " and since they are twins....... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 My tubes are in there right now, and lead from the lower part of the incision. the doc told me he was placing them carefully in a spot that would have no feeling anyhow, after surgery. I can't really feel them very much. I don't really have a good idea of what the plastic is shaped like that is still inside, but what I see is a tube leading from beneath each 'breast that was'. this is connected to a bulb shaped container. You empty it four times a day, and measure the output. You then squeeze all the air out of it and reconnect it to the tube. I have a sort of little apron that has two pockets, that the drains sit in. I wear this under my clothes, and it works well for me. While in the hospital they had the drains pinned to my clothing. When each side is putting out less than 20 cc per day, I get to have them out. I'm uncomfortable from the surgery, but the drugs keep me happy, more or less. My surgery was on 9/13. Sandy > > Thanks nne. More: > > Where do the tubes come from? under the arm? what does the fluid > that drains look like? (ooh, getting nauseous just thinking about > it). How big is the bottle they drain into? How often do you have > to empty it? Do you just empty into the sink? How does the surgeon > take them out. > > > > > > , > > The drains drain any fluid you have. I had two " tubes " leading > into one pouch or little bottle. After the drainage is a certain amt > they know its safe to remove them with hopefully no more fluid > build up. I came home with mine and took care of them till the > surgeon took them out. > > Hugs > > nne > > Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life > > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html > > BreastCancerStories.com > > http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ > > Angel Feather Loomer > > www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com > > Check out my other ornaments at > > www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html > > Lots of info and gifts at: > > www.cancerclub.com > > More mastectomy questions > > > > > > My surgery isn't scheduled yet, but I'm sure it will be here > before I > > know it. Thanks a for asking your questions and thanks to > > everyone for all the answers. > > > > Can someone explain in excruciating detail about the drains? I > don't > > understand what they are and how it works. Thanks. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ----------- > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.5/450 - Release Date: > 9/18/2006 > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 : The drain I had from my mastectomy (July '06) was located about 4 inches from my armpit on my left side (surgical side). It had a clear, flexible tubing that went down to a 4 " bulb. It had to be emptied and measured a.m. & p.m. The bulb had a loop on it, so I put a cotton belt on under my clothes and pinned the bulb loop to it (so it would be still). My EW factor was about like yours, but it is amazing what you can adapt to when you " gotta " : ) I kept some string (thick and soft) in the bathroom and tied it around my neck for showers. I had it for exactly two weeks. It's basically just annoying...Oh, I also used a " medical " Q-Tip (from the pharmacy - long wood stick) to put polysporin above and below it 2x per day. When I showered, I lathered soap ABOVE it and let it wash down to clean the site. Since it bothered me if it pulled, I also put paper tape about 2 " below to hold the tubing in place...hope this helped! - Jen > Can someone explain in excruciating detail about the drains? I > don't > understand what they are and how it works. Thanks. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 when I had my drains in I said I had a good pair of balls. I told my husband I always wanted to have the balls so now I have them. I am puerto rican and am very strong willed. So that was my story with the drain. good luck to your aunts.. --- Ramos wrote: > great idea those shirts with pockets..... only thing > I could think of was telling my aunts to wear > their bra around the waist and put one bottle on > each bra cup ..... we try to find humor as much as > posible .... they called those drains , " the > babies " and since they are twins....... > > > > --------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 when I had my drains in I said I had a good pair of balls. I told my husband I always wanted to have the balls so now I have them. I am puerto rican and am very strong willed. So that was my story with the drain. good luck to your aunts.. --- Ramos wrote: > great idea those shirts with pockets..... only thing > I could think of was telling my aunts to wear > their bra around the waist and put one bottle on > each bra cup ..... we try to find humor as much as > posible .... they called those drains , " the > babies " and since they are twins....... > > > > --------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 when I had my drains in I said I had a good pair of balls. I told my husband I always wanted to have the balls so now I have them. I am puerto rican and am very strong willed. So that was my story with the drain. good luck to your aunts.. --- Ramos wrote: > great idea those shirts with pockets..... only thing > I could think of was telling my aunts to wear > their bra around the waist and put one bottle on > each bra cup ..... we try to find humor as much as > posible .... they called those drains , " the > babies " and since they are twins....... > > > > --------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 lol that is great !!!! my aunts did look like grenades so balls would be accurate lol... good luck to you !!! --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 lol that is great !!!! my aunts did look like grenades so balls would be accurate lol... good luck to you !!! --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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