i had my drain removed last monday went back on thurs to have the site drained and also had my results. lymph nodes clear but i have to go back to have some more tissue taken away as they didi not remove enough for the path lab to besatisfied. because of my experience in hospital i feel really panicy about going back. the consultant has notvery good people skills. he is a brilliant surgeon but it took the macmillan nurse to explain how lucky i was. the problem now is the fluid has built up again, so i rang the on call district nurse last night thinking she may drain it again only to be told that she did not know much about it and i should ring the ward but the nurses may be hesitant to do anything and as you know there are no doctors from the bc team on call which i know from when i was in hospital. i feel so unsupported my poor husband has to try to calm me down.does anyone else feel like this especially on the weekend.
Hi Ringo, i had exactly the same thing happen to me, but i made the mistake of going to my local A & E, big mistake, some doctor put me on anti-biotics, my surgeon who i saw two days later told me to not take anymore, and anymore problems, then to ring the ward, then he drained under my arm. it might be an idea to ring the ward you was on, other than that you’d be best waiting till Tuesday when your surgeon can drain it, i know at the hospital i go to, its only the surgeon who does the draining, but they may have a nurse who can do it at yours. i know its really uncomfortable, i had it from my armpit and my back, but the last time either filled up, i just waited till i could see my surgeon, and i didn’t have to wait too long.
Alison xxxxx
thanks Alison i have decided to wait till Tuesday. i have just spoken to a lady who was in hospital the same time as me she is in her 80s and really lovely. she feels she has no support she had a mastectomy and now has an infection in both drain sites plus some leakage and buildup. they have put on antibiotics and she has to take 2 different types which is 14 tablets a day plus 8 pain killers per day and she is suffering with very bad diarrhoea. she wishes she could go in a convelesent home as her son who lives with her is mentally disabled. Her district nurse just rushes in and out because she is so busy. it does not seem right and makes me feel quite angry as at least on my bad days when emotions run wild i have my husband and sons but she feels very down and even though she has a lot of visitors i think she needs medical support plus she has not had her results yet and feels there is something worse to come. i have spoken to her and tried to reasure her and she said she felt a lot better so i will see how she is on Tuesday. by the way my name is melaney so thanks again. xx
Hi Melaney, think your being wise, i should never have been put on the antibiotics as i was due my next op the following friday luckily i got off them in time, but he put me on the strongest ones, and i suffered terribly before my op as i hadn’t even had an infection, , unfortuanately GPs are not always so good as cancer is not their field, now if i have any probs at all regarding bc i wait to talk to the bc nurse or wait to see the onc or surgeon. i do feel for you elderly friend though, has she been told about support groups at her local hospice? i keep meaning to go to the one near me, they are so good, they do alternative therapies, have councillors on hand, and basically make you feel that your not alone, they are not just for the dying.
lots of love
Alison xxxxxxxxxxx
hi alison i have tried to find out about support groups near me and there is not one. the nearestso a friend told me today is about 8 miles away does not seem far but if you have no transport it can be a bit awkward to get to. i started to drive again last sat. only small journeys with my husband with me had a problem with reverse but felt quite proud so once i feel more confident i hope to arrange to pick her up and take her out. do you ever feel like you do not want to go out if someone is with me i am ok but if i am on my own i feel very nervous about going anywhere. well tomorrow go to have this drained and also to the day clinic for my pre op for th 4th will be glad when that is al sorted, hopefuly they will be a bit more understanding. i feel very foolish with this hospital phobia but i am trying to be positive. any way all the best. love melaney.