Coming home with a pain pump?

Shachar

The PS nurse called this evening to go over everything and said that I will have a pain pump that last for 48 hours and the PS will remove it at the first follow up visit.  I asked if that would mean 48 hours after surgery and perhaps I could have it removed prior to leaving the hospital.  She said no, it would run for 48 hours after I left the hospital.  I guess I'm a little amazed that they would send someone home with a pain pump but what do I know?  Is this standard?   I'm chuckling as I imagine myself trying to get around with four drains and a pain pump slung around my neck.

Shachar

Bump bump, nobody???  Now I feel like a science experiment. 

Sassa

I was sent home from a surgery (not a mastectomy) with a pain pump in one hip, two drains (one on the other hip, the other higher up on the same side) and a Foley catheter with a urine collection bag (at least that only stayed in for 24 hours after going home).  The rest stayed attached for a week after surgery. I had medical equipment swinging and swaying every time I got up.

Shachar

Thank you, Sassa!  They explained it a little more at pre-op today, that it will be like a bulb full of "local anesthesia" basically, that continually numbs up the breast tissue area for 48 hours after I go home.   They said it is awesome and supposed to cut down on the pain, but not a "pump" per se.  It's some bulb that eeks out medication little by little through a tiny catheter over time until it is all out.  That's what I'm picturing, pumps and drains swinging from everywhere! 

Sassa

That was like the pain pump I had.  I was given a little black carry bag for the bulb that I could either clip around my waist or shorten the straps to wear or carry another way.

I didn't think the pump was doing much until the pain medication in it ran out; then I knew it was helping a lot for the pain management.

Outfield

Shachar, I had a pain-med pumping bulb after my BMX.  Yes, kind of the equivalent of another drain to cart around, but it worked great.  

DianaNM

I have an OnQ, with a little black purse to carry it around. Its over my shoulder right now, and I don't need any pain meds because of it. I do hope it lasts for another 48 hours! pS said we could pull out the tube when it is empty.

Anonymous

I had an OnQ pump too. Ahhhhh... memories.

Stormynyte

I just removed my On Q yesterday. It was kind of freaky to pull out the tube myself, but I didn't feel it at all.

It is awesome, I've had very little pain since I woke up in the hospital. I've only taken 1 pain pill, and only a half at a time at bedtime the first 2 nights home just to knock me out, I don't think I needed them actually.

I wore the little bag like a fanny pack and had my drains pinned to the belt. Now that the pump is gone I dropped my drains in the bag. Works great!

Tzofeh

Hey Shachar! How are you, kiddo? Look, I know you are REALLY scared and everything is spinning out of control but it's all going to be okay.

You are going to make some really smart decisions, even though you are going to be pressured by the doctors, but you are a fighter and will be around for a long time.

You are going to see your kids grow up, graduate high school and start college, and you are finally going to make it back home to Kansas.

You REALLY should do what is in your heart and get your ovaries removed now, not two years from now, and start on Arimidex. Also, this is important, insist they monitor your estrogen levels on a regular basis.

How do I know? I'm you, kiddo. We've made it 9 years and I suspect we'll be around for many more. Unfortunately, I have forgotten your (our) password so maybe one day the mods can put us together again.

We've recently moved to stage 4 but don't worry, it was a local skin recurrence that was removed with clear margins and a small bone met to the sternum. They just blasted it with radiation and it wasn't aggressive. We're still highly estrogen positive and recent lab work shows estrogen levels are at premenopausal levels. Don't worry, I'm on it. If you'd keep a close eye on those estrogen levels for us we could prevent this. I really wish the docs did this routinely because it makes sense, right?

Anyway, it's okay! You have many years ahead, a few bumps in the road, but when 2014 ends you will be flying high until early 2021. They will say we are stage 4 the end of 2014, but within a month it will miraculously all disappear. The doctors will be bewildered. I wish you wouldn't have spent those 6 years worrying needlessly. You, we, are a miracle and I love you!!!!
Keep that positive attitude and never give up. (PS... You were right and the doctors were wrong. Believe in yourself.) ❤️

exbrnxgrl

tzofeh,

The op, shachar, has not signed in to bco in 8 years (2013). This thread has also been inactive since that time.

LW422

exbrnxgrl-- tzofeh's post says she IS shachar, she just forgot her old password.

exbrnxgrl

LOL! I had to read 3x to figure that out. Never post before your first cup of coffee 😉.

wallycat

Well, this explains why my surgeon was horrified that the pain pump was sitting outside my room and not being used. I mean, he just about screamed at a nurse. I asked him if I had to use it if I had no pain and he calmed down....