Color in the drainage tubes

TazMom

I had BMX last Friday, so it’s been a week now. We were draining the right side every 2-3 hours the first couple days. The left side where the tumor was and the SLN biopsy was done went to a light pink almost immediately, but the right side (while drainage has slowed) has been a dark red (almost black) the entire time. I saw the doctor on Tuesday and she said everything looked good. I see her again next Thursday. By then I’m sure the tube will come out on the left, but I have a feeling that the right will stay in longer. Has anyone else experienced this? Does this sound normal? The doctor didn’t seem concerned, so I’m trying not to worry about it. I guess I’m feeling a little discouraged since the left changed fairly quickly and the right hasn’t changed at all

Aram

Hi TazMom, I am kind of in similar situation. My BMX was on Oct 6th. My cancer side has black color to it, and the non cancer side was pinkish. The non cancer side was taken out after a week. But the doctor has left the other one in. He said the color is due to bruising and it is normal. Apparently this happens in 5 to 10 percent of the cases.

TazMom

I talked to the doctor today about the color and she told me it was normal and that it was blood breaking down. Not sure what that means, but she wasn’t concerned by it.