Good morning ladies. I have been following everyone’s progress from the side lines. Although I haven’t responded individually I have been keeping an eye on you all.?.
I can’t believe it is now just over a week since my mastectomy - time flies.
I was hoping to have the drain removed yesterday- a week of them was enough?. But it wasn’t to be - still quite a bit of fluid draining. Does anyone know at what level of drainage can the drain be removed?
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m having real trouble sleeping. I can’t get comfy- the drain doesn’t help and I get a dragging feeling whichever side I try to lie on - so end up on my back- not the most comfortable- so feel shattered all the time.
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Thinking of you all. Helen xxx
helen
Lovely to hear from you and that you are recovering well albeit still having the drains in.
I am wondering do you have one of those V pillows, they might give you some support with you having to sleep on your back at the moment xxx
Oh Helenann! I’ve been thinking of you constantly since last Monday and am so glad to hear you are OK! I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling with sleep due to the drains-can’t help there (obviously) because I’ve not had surgery yet so will keep this short and leave it to the others who are further down the road to advise you.
I just wanted to say welcome home and I’m so glad you are OK. When you have a chance, please could you let us know how the operation went and how you are doing. It will help all of us (more than you know) who have yet to have surgery.
Sending lots of love and healing thoughts to you…
xxxx
Hi Helen,
I’m Helen too. I’ve not posted before but have been following everyone’s posts on the forum and have gained lots of reassurance and support from this. I had a mastectomy last Wednesday however needed to go back to theatre Thursday night. My drain is to stay in until this Friday. I have been told that if it does drain less than 50mls on 2 consecutive occurrences over a 24 hour period it can come out sooner. It has been around 100mls over the last couple of days though. I guess it may not be the samw for everyone though.I’ve found sleeping not too bad, tended to prop myself slightly on the opposite side lost of pillows and as mentioned a v shaped pillow also.
Take care
Helen xx
Hi HelenAnn
I was also told that my drain could come out once it had got down to less than 50ml in a 24 hour period. I had 2 drains, one was taken out after 3 days and the other after 6 days but I know a lot of people have to have then in longer than that. It is a lot better sleeping once they are out!
Good luck with your recovery xx
Hi Helen, sorry to hear your having difficulty sleeping. I had my drain in for 10 days and it was down to just under 50mls when it came out. Don’t be in too much of a rush, that will becomes a fluid build up if it comes out too soon.
Re the sleeping, I’m 4 weeks post op and for the first 3 weeks slept on a pillow mountain and had a large V shaped pillow as well. I kind of used it like a travel pillow in that my head would be supported when it went sideways.
I’m now back to my normal pillow, but I wake up if I turn over and can only get comfy on the non mastectomy side. I think it just takes time.
Best wishes for your recovery xx
Hi Helen
Don’t be in too much of a rush to get rid of the drains. I was so happy when mine came out, the relief was huge but I gradually developed a build up of fluid under the axilary scar which has now become infected. It is so painful and I’m back on antibiotics again. It cannot be drained as the risk of spreading the infection is too high. I feel so fed up about it as I’m back to trying to sleep sitting up, unable to do my exercises and generally feeling awful. I feel sad because I have to start chemo again in three weeks time and I was hoping to enjoy a little bit of normal life before then. Sorry this post is such a downer but I just want to say that I wish I’d kept the drains longer and avoided the horrible pain I’m in now.
Jacq x
Hi Helen
So pleased to read your update, brought back memories of four months ago and drains dragging, and discomfort in sleeping too! I had one drain, it was on over a week, must have had lots of fluid to drain off after a TM and I’ve just been told it’s still swollen, and won’t normalise for a year ! Wow.
The ‘50ml over 24 hour’ rule applied to me too, I got so fed up of it, used to prop it up in a wine bottle holder by the bed, kept forgetting to lift it when getting up from chair or sofa (ow) but it did it’s job…very pleased when it came out!
I am still having difficulty with sleeping positions, due to an achy shoulder and arm, so still use the V-pillow (got a cheap and cheerful one from a well known site, it’s fine for me! ). In the earlier days with the drain, I massed up pillows on either side of the V and slept, almost sitting up, in a sort of cocoon, neck on the centre V bit, it did help. I hate sleeping on my back, too, but this was the only way I could sleep at the time.
You will feel shattered for sure, you’ve just had major surgery and it takes time for all that trauma and anaesthetic/nerve block/drugs they shot in you for the op to wear off ! ? But you will get there…
So glad you are progressing well!
Xx