Drain, Drain, go away . . .

Everything you describe about underarm pains/tightness  etc sounds normal Trish.You might even get the sensation that there is a football under your arm. Did you have a full aux node clearance or just sentinal nodes?and did you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy?I'm in Kellyville,not far from Dural.I'm so glad you have family here that you can stay with. However,it must be hard being away from your home and friends.This is a great site to come to and get support/information or to just vent. I'm 2 years on now from my second bout of breast cancer.The first was a lumpectomy in 2003 and then a mastectomy in 2010. I'm on Tamoxifen now and,touch wood,doing ok. With either operation you'll find you feel much better around the 3-4 week mark.I was driving and back at work at that point.Hope your recovery goes smoothly and contact me any time.

                                                           Tonya xx

Thanks Tonya and Jenny

Mine is in the spot you describe right up into my left axilla - sorest  where the drain enters through the skin and the stitch. Not up in armpit.Feels a bit itchy now too. I get a few other random stabby pains too . I haven't taken any Endone today just Panadol. It all feels tight all over though.

We have family in Sydney , first week we stayed Dural way, this last week Penrith area . I'll come down for chemo at this stage to have chemo at Penrith, have yet to get chemo appointment.

I am feeling a few chill like sensations today but don't feel like I have a fever , then I had flu vax Friday morning -so it could be that. I have an antibiotic ready to take if it gets worse.

I will ask him tomorrow , at least the drain is still around 60mls today not up near 80-100mls it normally is.

I appreciate knowing because better knowledge keeps me calmer.

Trish

That's where my drain was too-kinda under the arm.So it's in the right spot,don't worry.Yes Trish,you poor thing having to travel all that way.I would think they'd take your drain out sooner than later.If you have a breast care nurse where you live then they can syringe the fluid if it builds up. Whereabouts in Sydney are you staying?Fun chatting to you both.

                                        Tonya xx

Geez that must be tough Trish.  Where do you stay while in Sydney?  Hopefully you have family or friends.  I'm lucky in that I live in Brisbane, so everything is pretty close.  I travel to the other side of Brissy for my chemo but it's still only a 45 minute trip tops even in the traffic.  I really feel for women from country areas that have to stay away from home.  My scar is quite numb also, but my drain doesnt come from there.  It's situated a couple of inches behind it, kind of boob height under my armpit, a little to the back.  Do your drains come from your incisions?

Sounds like your drain has become some alien force  with a life of it's own! Tell the doc you are starting to hallucinate about aliens invading your chest  and bit worried about your mental state! Mind you,panadiene forte can do that! I have crazy dreams about creatures if I take that.Good luck with your phone call.

                       Tonya xx

You know what Tonya, you might just be right!  I reckon I would rather a syringe twice a week than what I have at the moment.  I'm waiting for a call back from my Doc.  In the meantime I keep giving it the evil eye, 'Dry up Dry up you B@stard' see if I can scare it into stopping :)

I'm thinking that getting a seroma syringed off each week is more fun than the drain.Hey,it was an outing and I didn't feel the needle cos the scarline area was  completely numb-still is.The drain might be starting to adhere to internal soft tissue and also irritating surrounding nerves.My drain site was sore for a long time afterwards.My surgeon passed it off as nerve disturbance. Anyway,talk to your surgeon- maybe it's more of a convenience for HIM to leave your drain in! I feel your pain cos I was soooo over the drain after 1 week.

                                     Tonya xx

Hi Trish,

I had my first chemo a week ago, and they intend to continue drain or no drain.  I came home with only panadeine forte, no talk or endone.  Maybe you need the endone more cos you are only 12 days post surgery? I dont know if you can stay on endone long term.  Five weeks of needles doesnt sound like much of an alternative to the drain does it?   My pain levels definitely improved as time went by, I think we must have mucked the bag up somewhat changing it to cause the level of pain I have at the moment.  Something is pulling/pushing against the stitch.  Maybe it's stuck to the ulcerated skin.  Who knows?  Do you still have a high output?  Lets just hope we dry up soon.  It's hard not to let it get you down, especially when you dont get much sleep.  I take some pain killers, try and get in a comfy position and then read a book or something to try and distract myself.  When I see the Doc again Im going to ask if there is anything I can do to try and help it dry up, but Im pretty sure the answer is nothing.

No endone, but panadeine forte which I usually try to save for nightime to help me get some sleep.  Thanks for being an ear, you will certainly hear my happy thoughts when I finally get unplugged.  Jenny xx