Extended Time with JP Drain

Pambytheriver

I just finished week 7 with my drain (not days yes weeks). Feeling this will never end. Now I have to travel to Asia for work in two weeks and it appears the drain will get frequent flyer miles with me. How can I get these numbers down. Still around 40cc. My doc says it is because the skin has had so much radiation healing is slow. I had BC twice, 2006 and 2013 and radiation on the same same both times. He has me on antibiotics, we even went to a PICC line and IV antibiotics to make sure there is no infection. He has done cultures and everything appears fine, no redness either. This is just getting to be nuts.

DiabeticCancerChick

I had two of mine in for 5 (or was it 6?) weeks. Anything you do to cause irritation to the area will promote fluid buildup, and it can be really difficult to be aware of movements or exertions that can contribute to that. I had full range of motion right out of surgery, and aside from the first few days, it felt normal to do just about anything I used to do. But time kept marching on with those damn drains still there, and finally I just had to stop opening the refrigerator door so much, taking the garbage out, lifting pots and many other things that are often done unconsciously. My PS said that eventually the fluid WOULD go down, and finally it did. My first two drains came out after a couple of days, during which time I was basically immobile. But it also depends on the individual... some people just take a veeerrry long time to stop making so much fluid.