I was just wondering if anyone could help - before I ask, I know we are all different, and heal differently, and are at different hospitals, but I just wanted some idea of how long you stay in hosp after a full node clearance?
I had a WLE & SNB just over 4 weeks ago, got the results last week, they managed to get it all out of my breast no problem with clear margins it was only tiny compared to some of you 12mm high grade, grade 2, but there was a 2.8mm cancer in 1 of 3 nodes they took - hence the full clearance.
Because there are so many ladies in our situation I was told that it would be about 3 weeks till my next op - ok no probs, but had a call from hospital yesterday and I go in monday (not worried its so fast - letters go out friday and you have to confirm on monday, so obviously someone cant make it this week). It threw me a bit as I had everything organised with work & care for my 13 year old daughter for in another couple of weeks and now have to re-arrange.
Anyway back to the question (sorry mind wonders a bit lol). My BC nurse says to expect to be in hospital for about 4 days (untill the drains are removed), but a friend is now on day 7 for the same op and I remember lots of ladies wondering around the ward who had been in for 6/7 days with drains in when I was in last time. I don’t mind staying in(lovely ward/staff etc - horrible food but you can’t have everything lol) just wondered how long other ladies stayed in.
Thanks for taking the time to read this
Tracey xxxxxxxx
P.S. Don’t ya feel better when the sun shines … I know I do :o)))
As you say we are all different with different hospitals doctors etc. I had my lumpectomy and full node clearance at the same time and got home the next day - with drains. I only live 15 mins from the hospital and went in daily to have drains emptied and then removed on day 5. I still had to pop back and forth to have some fluid removed after that but for me getting home to my own bed was important and doctor happy for me to do that. Good luck with your op and I would be glad to get it over and done with quickly although it has thrown your plans a bit.
All the best Anne x x
P.S. Feel so much better when the sun shines - bring in it :0)))
Similar to you. WLE/SNB then back in for node clearance. I was in a day longer the second time around…4 days/nights. Mainly because the drains were still above a certain level. Still had to return to hospital for further draining once a week for 6 weeks thereafter as had a seroma.
Anne, I can’t wait to get it over and done with so I can move onto the next step (whatever it may be!) its a step nearer to being healthy again.
Hubby works fulltime (its our own business so we both do)and with a hormonal teenager and 2 mental dogs I will get more rest in hospital, mum has offered to look after me if I come out with drains in (love her to bits but can’t cope with the fussing!)
Lynn, I was only in overnight last time. I was warned I might have to keep “popping back” for fluid draining, just need to see how it goes - what will be, will be, one day at a time !
Sounds like a few days in hospital afterwards to rest will do good. I’m sure they will let you go at your own pace and keep you in till you feel ready to leave.
When I had to ‘pop back’ for fluid draining I think it was just about once a week - I just phoned the bc nurse and made an appointment when needed.
All the best for your op and hope you get good rest afterwards.
My experience was totally different. My surgeon usually does node clearances as day cases but as I don’t tolerate anaesthetics very well they decided in advance I needed to stay for 1 night. I was done at 11.00 am and had my drain out the following morning, then was home by the early afternoon. I was spaced out out for a couple of days but recovered much more quickly than for my first op. I was told the clearance only takes about half an hour to do.
Obviously different surgeons do thinks very differently. Am not sure why though. dx
Midge, one of the things I have picked up from reading the lovley ladies on this forum over the last couple of months is no 2 hospitals seem to work the same way - god knows why. I was fine with the anaesthetic last time, I seemed to be the only one who came back to the ward without oxygen (fingers crossed that I will be the same this time) I was told that with recovery time, I will be “off” the ward for about 3 hrs. I’m not at all worried this time, but that will prob change by 7am monday morning lol.
Anne, I was have been told that I will need to pop back to the ward for it draining - if and when the pain gets too much or I can not move my arm properly due to the fluid.
Thank you for the best wishes, I’m sure that it will all go well, just want to get it out of the way and the results back so I can find out what next … the dreaded chemo … or just radiotherapy, Its the not knowing that I find the hardest.
Hi I had my op on the Wednesday(central mastectomy and node clearance) and they let me go home on the Friday with one drain still in as it was my daughters birthday on the Saturday.I went back at the beginning of the next week(cant remember exact day)and breast care nurse removed the drain.
Thanks Ladies, I have just spoken to the ward and they want to keep me in while I have the drains in eventhough they know I will be feeling well enough to go home, its the way my surgeon works and what he says goes !!
I asked about this beforehand, in the event that I did have a drain (which fortunately, I didn’t) and I was told that I would be able to go home if I was up to it and the district nurse would come in when necessary.
As it was, I went home the same day after my WLE/SNB (no drain) and they seemed quite pleased as they needed the bed.
Hi how different we all are. I had WLE and ANC on Thurs afternoon and after the drain was changed on Fri morning I was allowed home. Then the district nurses rang me every day to ask about the drainage and visited accordingly to redress and remove the drain. Lovely nurses and great service . Jackie
Well it turned out to be 5 days, and came home with a bag on as when they took the drain out it was still leaking, got to call back to the ward on monday for it taking off or changing depending on how it is.
Hi Tracey,
At least its over now, sorry you had to stay in for a few days.
Good luck with getting rid of the bag on Monday and a full and quick recovery,
Lynn x
Thanks hun, but this time it was a very enjoyable stay (never thought I would say that about hospital), apart from a reaction to the morphine given in recovery!(which was just one of those things)
I was lucky enough to have a private room with ensuite and was “in” with a lovely bunch of ladies at various stages of their treatment. The staff were fantastic, I think its the only ward in the hospital where they have enough qualified staff to be able to do their job without rushing about under pressure, and have time to talk to their paitents and put them at ease with everything that is going on.
It really makes a difference