Drain tubes

moodyblues

I have had drain tubes for 4 weeks, they are still at 36 cc range.  My reconstructive surgeon says it has to go to at least 25 cc or below for two consecutive days.  Has anyone had their drain tubs for this long?

lisa137

I think that one of mine went pretty close to that, yeah. If memory serves me correctly (and it may not haha,) it seems like I read someplace that activity tended to increase the amount sooooo I spent about four days pretty much laying in bed watching TV, reading books, sharing memes on Facebook, and sleeping, and sure enough, the amount went down and I got rid of my drains: four one week, and the final one a week later.

Kicks

I didn't have recon but did have one of my drains in for 4 weeks (first out at 2 weeks). My Surgeon decided that even though it was still draining more than idea that it might be 'irritating' the are so took it out. Not a good idea, I developed a Seroma that was still showing up on CT as 6cm 11 weeks later.

Artista928

Had mine for 5 weeks. No pulling any out until under 30 cc each for a couple days. Max ps was going to go was 6 wks and comes out no matter what as in too long can cause infection.

BringOn2017

Hi Moodyblues, so sorry you still have your drains. Would suggest to try resting for a few days, maybe it will stop the fluid. Mine weren't in long as my surgeon didn't believe in keeping them too long, as he said, they would keep draining as long as we kept them in! One drain blocked with a blood clot anyway. I kept getting told by the nurses that these drains can't block! But I was oh yes they can. And when the surgeon, sort of agreed with me, and had it removed, there was a nice 5-8cm clot at the end of the tube! Only problem is that I got a seroma on that side which was some added stress. 

I read in another forum that you're having chemo in a few weeks. Must be hard, but you can and will do it! And you will emerge better and stronger! Think of the butterfly emerging from the chrysalis!. You're so much in my thoughts. Will be praying for you. 

moodyblues

lisa137 Thank you, maybe a bit of rest this week.  I have been doing a lot of small things, but after several weeks I was going crazy!

Kicks   Sorry to hear about the problems you had to go through, you would think the dr's would know better!

Artista928  Thank you!

Bringiton2017  Always the encourager, thank you.  Yes, as soon as tubes are out and healed up the chemo marathon is on.  I have joined two support groups locally and really was glad to be around survivors.  The one group was a cancer support group (all cancers) the other is a breast cancer group that helped me with questions - 4 of the ladies are triple positive so, I felt a lot of hope in longevity. 

Kicks

I do know that my Surgeon did exactly what he felt was best when he removed my 2nd drain at 4 weeks. There was no way he could have known that my body would 'decide' to develop a seroma. There is no way to ever know if the drain had been left in longer that a seroma might have developed when it was removed or if an infection might develope if left in. It's past and 'second guessing' all the 'what if's' is less than worthless and a waste of time and energy.

Our Drs are all a bit different as we are each so unique. There is no "One Size Fits All" when it comes to what is the best TX plan and time line. Drains do not always have to be out to start Chemo, nor does a seroma always have an effect on doing chemo either. I started 12 weekly Taxol adjuvant 3 weeks post UMX. So 2nd drain was still in - it was removed earlier the day of 2nd Taxol. Seroma developed between 2nd and 3rd Taxol, had no effect on staying on weekly Taxol schedule. The CT that showed the seroma still there and 6cm was done on day of 12th Taxol was ordered by Rads Dr as I was starting 25 rads the next week.

You are 'around' quite a few Survivors here. I'm 7+ yrs since DX and still NED (No Evidence of Disease) and there are quite a few others with more time than I have .

moodyblues

kicks.  7 years +, awesome!  Yes, we are all so different, our bodies decide what goes on and we just go along for the ride.  May I ask if you ever wished that you had a bilateral mx instead of unilateral?  I still think of it with my own choice already made, although I would never want to go through another mx, I know that if I ever have any worries about the other breast...well it's gone. 

BringOn2017

Yes Moodblues there are so many survivors around, and treatment has improved so much in the last few years! Do you know what chemo cocktail you're having yet? Joining a support group is a great idea. I just love the anonymity of these boards though as I live in a small place where everyone knows everyone else, and its one step worse for me as I work in health care and am very private about myself...even though it seems like half the world knows my diagnosis by now!

I watched a couple of films of survivors that made me feel better and more understood and normal in my feelings, and reactions. I watched Decoding Annie Parker and also I wore lipstick to my mastectomy. I also read the book of the latter by Geralyn Lucas and it was brilliant. I've been keeping a journal and that helps release my feelings and emotions on the more intense days. As if by writing it all down, I will one day be able to put it all behind me and say yet another closed chapter to my life!

moodyblues

Bringon2017  When I spoke to my oncologist, he told me Epirubicin (?)  and Taxol.  He also said I would be on an anti estrogen for 10 years.  I go 1 time a week for 12 weeks and then once every 3 weeks for 4 doses of something.  I actually moved two hours away from my ONCO and I will start the chemo with another group of doctors.  My original ONCO said that my new doctors may or may not follow the 'exact' treatment but, he felt it would be similar.  I am believing it will all go by quickly!  Thumbs up on the red lipstick before surgery.  I will be checking out the movies about the two ladies you mentioned. 

Thanks for reaching out to me!

sportsmom16

Hi- I am going on 4 weeks and I am still outputting 50--- was told to slow down-- no emptying dishwasher, no laundry, no grocery store-- am trying to follow instructions -- seems like doing nothing has slowed the output - dont get discouraged -- the inactivity is driving me a little nuts but is worth it - if I can get the drain out!

lrwells50

My plastic surgeon doesn't leave drains in after 3 weeks regardless, because of fear of infection. MyBMX was 3/8, and my PS has been aspirating fluid since then. I am not an extremely active person, and was taking it very easy, so no clue why I'm making so much fluid. I go back Monday to get the okay to start chemo. The MO says they can aspirate during chemo if necessary.

moodyblues

Sportsmom-  I am looking forward to being tube free!  I haven't been doing much of anything either, tried to remain sedentary and I haven't gotten any less in he drain.       Good luck to you!

Irwells  -  I had a friend who's surgeon said only two weeks for the same reason (infection).  I am going to just believe that nature is doing it's thing and when I am ready, they will come out.   I wish you well as you start chemo!

moodyblues

Tubes are out!!!!!! No pain 5 weeks.

lrwells50

I have to say I'm numb enough that the aspiration doesnt hurt, and it's oh so much better than the drain/leaking all over your clothes situation

BringOn2017

Yeah! See what you needed Moodyblues was to post on these boards! That way you scared the fluid away! Calls  for champagne. Cheers!

woodsyny

I had bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy 4/17. I had 4 drains in for 2 weeks, 1 day. Surgeon said I had to have 20cc or less in each drain/24 hours in order for them to come out. They made me crazy and were very sore. They are out, and I got to take a FULL shower! Heaven!

moodyblues

Irwells50 Dr said even though it wasn't at 25 cc or less, he wanted them out because he was afraid of infection. He told me there was a chance of fluid collecting etc. with taking them out now, but he said infection in tissue expander/breast was a really bad thing. I am believing for the best!

Bringon2017 That's what I am thinking too!

Woodsyny Yes, the drains were a pain in the butt, but they serve their purpose I'm sure. I do wonder however, if BC was primarily a mans disease if they would quickly come up with another (easier) (more manageable) way of handling drain tubes. lol!

sportsmom16

Hi All--I am back again this week-- this will be my 6th week after surgery and the drains are still in- was down to 45 and today for NO REASON I have done NOTHING am over 60 and its just midday! They are saying another week of inactivity but what if inactivity doesn't work?? Has ANYONE had them in this long? Nurse said give it one more week-- seems like the posts I've read the longest is 6 weeks-- what happens after that?

Doesn't seem like anything I do has any effect -- my onc wanted to wait for the Herceptin till my drains were out but now he is going ahead with infusion on Thursday-- not sure why I am freaking out-- feel like my jail cell is open but I cant get through -- yes, I 've gained weight of course!

I am not supposed to move--- am so frustrated-- somebody tell me it will be over at some point?? Is there anything that can be done to reduce the fluid? Help? This is as hard as it was at the beginning-- thought I was getting better-- SOS

BringOn2017

Hi SportsMom... sorry  I missed your post as I haven't logged in for a few days. So sorry to hear you're so frustrated! Hope the fluid is starting to ease off and you get your drains out soon. I don't have much advice to give you as my surgeons had mine removed a few days after surgery. I had 4 of the beasts, 2 superficial and 2 deep to the muscle and one of the deep ones just clogged up.... there was a huge blood clot at the tip of it. The other deep one was still draining and they still removed it as they were of the firm belief that serum would continue to form as long as the drain was there. I did have a small seroma on the right where the drain had clotted but it didn't really cause any problems, didn't need aspiration, antibiotics or anything.

Good luck! Hope you're feeling better soon.

MariH

My PS removed my drains at 9 days, since output was less than 30 on all (3). But now it is 5 days later, and they are still oozing. Quite a bit. Is this uncommon or a bad sign? The doc said 36 hours, but my body didn't listen.