I was told at the beginning of this venture that only 20% of people get their drains out after a week I was aiming towards this goal. I did my exercises, ate well and watch as the drains changed from bright red, to stringy, to yellow with strings to finally yellow. I was 80% positive these drains were coming out, as I was tired of looking like a pregnant quasi modo.
We <B and I> arrived at the hospital with me holding my "pregnant belly". The drains were tucked up in my sweatshirt and I didn't trust them not to fall down; which might have given people a shock as they were in a light pink bag which kind of looked like testicles when they hung down. I figured holding a belly was less damaging to the psyche ...mine as well as passing strangers.
We were escorted into what looked like a supply closet with a bed. I did the change to the Johnny shirt <ties in front> and waited. Nurse L was the first to enter and checked over the dressing <which had all but one strip hanging off...I might have helped this along as the bandage was driving my armpit crazy> and the drains. She said everything looked good...good as in out they come or good as in keep up the good work and we will see you in a couple of days.
We handed over our chart progress and she looked at it. Nurse J enters and reviews the chart, the dressings and the content in the drains. Nurse J is my all star today as she gave the go ahead to take out the drains. They started taking off the bandages around the drains and the room suddenly got very warm. I tried to take off my shoes and they decided I should lay down while they do this. Apply cold cloth to forehead.
As they pulled the first one I could feel it slide across my chest and out it came. There was some discomfort but I was happier to say good riddance. Then they began with the second one. I think this one was somewhere around my armpit as B's eyes got wide as they pulled and pulled and more kept coming out...finally I was drain free! I have the two holes below my chest to prove it...they were like badges of honour..my permanent "gold stars".
Side note: If you are interested in what the drains look like <click here> and remember I had two of these. yeah..I can say had:)
Dr. T then came to take a look. If I was shy about showing my breasts before this point, I now didn't care who saw them...you get over this amazingly quick. The incision was mostly flat with a bump between my breasts and a clump of skin underneath my arm pit<which I refer to as my nubbin'>. Yes my scar runs from the centre of my chest to the other side of my arm pit. At this point the scar is still covered with steri strips which will have to fall off in their own good time. BUT I was now allowed to get in a shower, stuff my bra with a provided "sock" form and get out of the house. Things were looking up.
Dr. T requested a MUGA scan <to ensure my heart was strong enough to withstand chemo> and they checked on the status of my CAT scan. My pathology report would be in on September 8th and we should know more about the tumors he took out then. After barely having time to comprehend the next step a month seems so far away.
Overall I felt like a kid who was just told they were better and could play outside. We hi-tailed it out of that hospital before they changed their minds and I spent the rest of the afternoon laying in the sunshine.
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