Keeping_positive1 depends where you are, we’re in Sydney and there’s so many variables but even when I did my training 15yrs ago it wasn’t set re whether it was day surgery or overnight, and still isn’t now. First op was supposed to be day surgery but anaesthetic response and late list meant overnight which helped me push for ComPacks home help for 6wks to take pressure off me and support mum, and this time they would discharge over the weekend but with the drain and needing assistance with mobilising safely and managing drain she’s in until Monday so we can get community nursing, so will be 5days and it’s one breast/axillary dissection, not double.
The Elma isn’t common in most adult wards, but standard with kids onc, I did my final semester in kids onc (inpatient and a little in day patient and nurse educator taught me as student nurse about accessing ports, as a student nurse I was very lucky in opportunities). They are fabulous, creams/patches and should be the norm, but as with ComPacks and ACAT, not every clinician is aware of them nor offers them (one McGrath nurse said there wasn’t a way to get ComPacks extended for mum but I spoke with Social Worker as I knew for a fact it could be extended and now it has been, so different people and clinicians).
thank you ladies. Mum’s doing as well as can be expected and I have a couple of days respite this weekend so it works all round. It’s intimidating for so many to stand up to Drs, and often interns are highest workload and less confident, residents have egos, and consultants stay in the background and are over-specialised. Of course generalisations, but learning to deal with ward/hospital politics was definitely a learning curve in my training and early nursing, now I deal with exec enough that we’re educating Drs on things so it’s easier for people like me, but it shouldn’t be like that. Anyway, one step or day at a time. Thanks again ladies x
