Chemo with surgical drains in

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jovigal
jovigal Member Posts: 41
edited November 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I'm starting chemo on Thurs after asking to have my date moved from 12/4. I have extensive LVI and waiting to start chemo was making me nervous. Just feel like it's time to start killing off any stray evil cells. Anyway, my surgery was exactly 2 weeks ago and I still have one drain in. My surgeons agreed to let me start chemo but warned me of a slight risk of infection so now (of course) I'm second guessing myself.

Has anybody done chemo with drains still in place? Did it turn out ok?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2014

    I have never heard of someone beginning chemo with drains. It is a risk because you may not heal once you start chemo, which invites complications - and your WBC may drop, which invites infection compounding the possible lack of healing. Does your oncologist agree with beginning chemo this quickly, and do they plan to give you Neulasta? Your details do not show in your sig line - did you have a spread outside the breast, or LVI with no positive nodes?

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  • BlessedMe
    BlessedMe Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2014


    HI jovigal,

    I had my first round of chemo with one drain in and did not have any problems. I too was very nervous but everyone reassured me and I went with it. So glad I did as I did not want to put off chemo any longer.

    I wish you the best with your treatment!

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  • jovigal
    jovigal Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2014

    SpecialK wonder why my stats aren't showing up? But yes 3 nodes involved and yes to the Neulasta. Onc is ok with it as long as BS and PS are. Basically all were ok with it but not thrilled with doing it and I'm not thrilled with waiting. I saw an article on here that said it's best to do chemo 30 days post op and chances of recurrence rate goes up after 61 days post surgery. If I wait until 12/4 it will be 54 days since my first surgery. That scares me.

    Blessedme- Thank you for replying! Did you ask for it earlier or did your team recommend it?

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  • BlessedMe
    BlessedMe Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2014

    jovigal, I had also heard that chemo was best within 30 days after surgery and one of my drains stayed in 5 1/2 weeks. My MO put it off a week and then talked to my PS, per my request. They decided it would be fine to move forward as they both had experienced this before and never had issues. I was very worried about healing and they assured me it was not a problem. I was very very motivated to start within the 30 days.

     

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  • jovigal
    jovigal Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2014

    Thanks Blessedme. I feel like I'm choosing the lesser of 2 evils for my situation. My 2nd drain has only been in for 2 weeks but I feel like it's gonna be in for while!

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  • BlessedMe
    BlessedMe Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2014


    I felt the same way. When I made the decision my drains were still putting out a lot and they said they would not pull them till 9 weeks post surgery, if they were not ready on their own. I did not want to wait so I went with it. There are so many decisions along this journey it is not surprising that so many of us have seeping issues..... 

    It is a tough decision! :(

     

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