Jo C - well done! Good progress made. Gentle hugs being sent your way and hope you are back home soon.
Gypsylady-you have had a nightmare you need one of Mavis’s candles. To have one Hickman inserted was bad enough - my young Dr. Had not done many but that is a long boring story at least she was there which was more than can be said for the six hours waiting for one the day before …again long boring story. They will not do that again I hope. I used to work with lots of their big bosses and had been invited to have a coffee after the Hickman by one at 9 am and when I arrived at 3pm without one and slightly upset… oops big mistake for Dr that did not turn up. I do hope you are out and about soon. Hickman produced samples today and while he put blood in tubes I flushed it…fantastic.
Supertrouper glad you can have rest of Tax but fingers sound ugh. I will raise a glass to your energy doing all you have done during the chemo. Loaded with steroids so I will need lots of cakes tonight. Hope someone has been baking. I will be so cross if my neuts are low like Val. I have been fishing for them in well so much it is nearly dry.
Jo C and ninja take care speedy escape to the woods.
Oh dear Gypsylady - your DNs don’t sound up to much!
My unit don’t let the DNs do line flushes - they insist on doing them all themselves. I’m glad they do after hearing your story. They were so careful to keep everything sterile - it used to take ages to get everything ready. I didn’t really mind going in every week for it as they were all so lovely in there.
When I had a student do it for me they made her watch for several weeks before she was allowed to do it herself under very close supervision. Knowing how easy it is for them to get infected I’m very glad they took such care - I had no infection problems at all (the insertion wwasn’t exactly trouble free but that’s another matter!)
Jo - don’t worry about not wanting cake yet - the patisserie yurt is permanently stocked so there’ll be something tasty waiting for you wwhen you’re ready.
Jane xxx
Jo - glad you are now upright for at least some of the time. Sending good vibes for a speedy recovery from now on.
Ninja - keep stretching! Think Twizzle! (that’s almost a Woodie quiz - who remembers Twizzle?)
Gypsylady - HUGS! Hope infection clears and bloods rise. Newt catching anyone?
Dx
Some ghastly experiences! Jo - HDU? ouch! Cakes will be waiting… Anyone fancy some unhealthy fish & chips tonight? Not newts - proper fish!
Ps got hair envy Ninja! Not much I do envy about your situation at the mo but I only have a “two day shadow” - not real hair yet! Still, as your ARM movement improves, my hair will grow. Love the candles by the way…
JoC so glad to hear your back with us, make sure you rest and soon home.
Gentle hugs for you
Jean.x
Jane - great minds! Just come back from a friend’s where I completely stuffed on cod and chips - passed on the mushy peas!
Melatonin worked last night,slept so well,but amazingly felt more knackered than ever,having a flu jab tomorrow with ONC blessing, hope it doesnt kill my white soldiers off,need them for bloods on Tuesday,so might be seen around pond tonight with a net for newts if cackles and ducky have left a few to multiply.So glad the chapel was visited and candles keep going,I intend to light one every day to keep the group candle bank going,It is so heartening to spend some time in this little fantasy world,who could believe at my age I have the priviledge to meet with so many wonderful creative and loving friends inside the dark dark wood(a computer terrified Granny) Thankyou All.Dont forget to spend a little while to keep the flame alive search DDW gratefulness.org/candles
(((HUGS)))MAVIS
Thanks Mavis for the candles what a lovely idea. Have just lit one.
Love to all
KatyD
Thank you all for the hugs. I am hoping to have a shower today and am pathetically excited about it! Managed to get a good nights sleep after the lovely nurse gave me some temazopan and I am hoping to get rid of one of the drains today which will leave me with one in my stomach. It’s the small things that make a difference x
So glad to here about the shower can’ t have smelly people returning to the wood. To many odours here. Don’t overdo things, that will be enough until coffee biccies and morning dose with a magazine.
Enjoy you return to sort of normality.
Gentle hug if you feel like one
Cackles
Good morrow.
Jo - you are a S.T.A.R.
I haven’t had a recon so I cannot imagine what you’re going through (well, I can only imagine, I mean). Glad you’re out of HDU.
I still can’t shower, I’m allergic to Tegaderm so I haven’t got a waterproof dressing on. 5 cm baths and lots of flannelling for me!
My surgeon won’t let any DNs anywhere near his drains; he’d rather instruct patients how to deal with them if they have to go home with one in…
Seroma Watch (like SpringWatch)
OK so far.
Cakes are ready in the patisserie yurt. hugs to everyone I haven’t mentioned but brain is sluggish
Jo - when you lose some drains, your life will improve immeasurably.
Well, mine did.
Ninja I am a wizard at draining seromas so if you have trouble in the wild wood I will meet you in yurk.
So glad you are upbeat and on the mend
Cackles xx
Hi Jo and Ninja
Glad you are both still improving - cuddles to both.
I wasn’t allowed to shower until all my dressings were off and wounds were dry! Think I did the shallow bath/flannel thing for about 3 weeks!
I also wasn’t allowed out with any drains in - spent just over a week in hossie (including my birthday!).
I’m a bit tired after my first week back at W.O.R.K. - even if it is just mornings! Gathering my strength to meet a friend for coffee - well you have to get your priorities right! 
Dx
cackles could do with you here,had seroms drained Weds,I had left it for 2 weeks thinking it would help,Poor BCN was training her retirement successor and between them they removed 350mls, perhaps I should not leave it so long,I dearly wish it would dry up,it is 2 months since drains removed.Hope you are ok after your hectic day.
I really hope everyone will have a jolly weekend relaxing by the newt pond or carousing in the JM bar or just strolling around the sunny warm meadow,the wild flowers are at their best today
Big Fat (((HUGS ))) TO ALL,Mavis
Sivam seromas are a B. It is better to leave them as long as possible if it is not too painful. The 2 readons are less needles less risk of infection and the body thinks it does not need to produce any more soothing fluid and slows down. It is for that reason it is better not to drain the area completely. Some times antibiotics help but fluid should always be sent for culture before prescribing them unless rampant infection is seen. They should be given ASP in that case and cultures taken to see what the antibiotic sensitivity. If you have had a level three or two axillary clearance it can go on for months especially if you are on chemo which you are.
I have had to take my steroids at 5 o’ clock because I forgot to take them with me today. So see you in the JM Bar. I may as well get another reason for a bright red face.
Newt fishing in my well has produced Great crested neuts of 5.4 I am willing to rent it out for cakes !,
Sleep and prowl wrll, going to light a canfle of relief
Night night
Cackles
So glad you survived the terrors of the day,Cackles,taking your steroids after 2pm will have you as high as a kite!you will certainly need cakes and gin in the Jm Bar tonight,thanks for Seroma info.someone on other link tonight mentioned Udderly hand cream as great for nails,I might give it a go!Everyone on the augustine thread seem so happy with TAX experience especially Val
(((HUGS)))Mavis
SeromaWatch (like SpringWatch but with fewer lambs)
I seem to have grown from concave to a small A cup. It’s hard to tell under the tight dressings but it’s not comfortable at all :o(
TBH, constant pain describes it best.
How much is OK? At what point do the stitches burst?
ARGHHHH
Ninja, can you get your BCN to have a look? In the meantime, take your painkillers and try a cold pack to ease the pain. Frozen peas wrapped in a towel, one of those flexible freezer packs if you have one, even a damp flannel in a sandwich bag, with a second flannel in the fridge or freezer as a replacement when the first warms. Do any recommended exercises.
I was told to see the BCNs rather than going to the surgery, as they have the experience.
You have my sympathy, because I had a lot of trouble with seroma, and still have some, nearly a year after the first op. (Checking back, it’s only about a week short of a year.) I’ve gone back to wearing a soft, rather stretched-out cotton sports bra at night.
Cheryl