Drain Care Can I Do It Myself?

I had a mastectomy seven years ago. I have no family and the guy I was with was next best thing to useless, saying things like, "You're not the only one with problems, you know" when I first got out of surgery. When I cried, he growled that he had "zero tolerance" for drama. My cat was dying and we were at a 24 hour veterinary center being told we had a four hour wait. It never occurred to me that I needed help with drainage tubes, until a friend told me she "couldn't do it". Her husband had to do it for her. The stuff that drains isn't blood, it is a pale pink fluid. I'm so queasy at the sight of blood that I turn away when watching actors playing doctors on hospital shows. This fluid didn't bother me a bit. I don't know what the big deal is. The stuff just drains from little tubes placed in your body into these oval plastic containers, which I called "hand grenades". They give you a post op camisole that has little pockets inside it to hold the "grenades" so that they aren't hanging outside of your top. If I remember correctly there are marks on the plastic containers to check how much fluid is draining out. You don't need a measuring cup or anything but you do need a pencil and paper to jot down the date and how much drained. I suppose if you are phone savvy, you can record it somehow on your phone. cell phones are far more daunting to me than drainage tubes. After you measure, you simply the fluid down the drain and the fluid does its thing again draining into the plastic containers. That's all there is to it. Brace yourself, I did it in a public restroom at the veterinary center, praying no one would come in. I didn't have help. It never occurred to me that I needed it. By the way, the surgeon or her staff neglected to tell me anything about drainage tubes. I knew nothing about them until I was getting dressed to leave the hospital. You will be instructed as to how many times you need to drain them and then they'll be removed. Give yourself permission to feel terrible and anxious but grit your teeth and tell yourself you can handle this. Everything in cancer treatment is one step at a time. If you have questions, your surgeon's office is a phone call away.
Yes, I lost the cat and set the abusive man free. Cancer treatment is no walk in the park, physically or emotionally, but eventually it turns into a memory. Drainage tubes are no big deal. You can do it. Good luck!

@srobinet - short answer - I was able to handle the drains myself. I had bilateral mastectomy about 4 years ago (69 YO) it was during the winter so I wore long sleeve flannel shirts that had pockets and I'd put the drains in the pockets when home - I also wore jackets that had inside pockets and kept the drains in the inside pockets. The first couple days after surgery were a slight challenge because you're sore - but I never asked my spouse for any support with the drains - not because he wouldn't do it - but I needed to feel as if I was in control. Wellgirl's description of the process is about what my process was like tool.

Before surgery I made myself a mastectomy pillow - which was extremely helpful coming home from the hospital, riding in the car and while trying to sleep. If you don't have one make sure to have pillows for cushion. I made sure to have that pillow in the car for the ride home from the hospital. I remember it took no time at all to make the pillow. I just recently repurposed the pillow as a highchair cushion for my 6 mo grandchild - my pillow is in real pretty bright flowers - he's 6 mo old and won't know the difference. I'd been holding onto it - not sure why - but I'm glad I've found a new use for it.

Best of luck to you. Please keep us update to date on your progress.

@srobinet
I just want to wish you good luck on your B day.

I took care of the drains myself, stripping the drains and emptying the liquid into a cup which has marks . I did it twice a day, in the morning and before going to sleep. My husband changed the pads everyday per the recommendation from the nurse. Just make sure you wash your hands well (we washed hands before, put on exam gloves to take care of the drains, then washed hands again after). I used alcohol pads to clean the outside of the bulbs and drains.

I had large bruises on both sides and a thick hematoma on one side. Don’t be alarmed by the bruises. They fade away in a few weeks.
Hugs.

I had single masectomy almost 5 years ago. After surgery the nurse explained to me what to do with the drain. I drained it myself but mine was a little more difficult because the drain was back a little on my side .
Get some button or zip up tops to wear because they don't want you raising arms over head for awhile.
I had several sleeping pillows that I propped up in my bed to sleep on my back.
If you dont have paper plates put plates and glasses at a lower level so you don't have to reach.
I was able to have my drain removed after a week. That doesnt hurt.
As my yoga mentioned make sure hands are clean .
Thinking of you and glad that person in your life is gone you deserve the best. I had one of those type people in my life once too.
Soon this will all be a memory.
Sending a big hug.

Hello! Praying for you today! I could do the drains myself (but my rotator cuff was not torn!:). I did need help with almost everything else for a few days though. (My surgeon didn’t want me to use my hands and arms at all for a week - not even my phone!) I wasn’t provided a drain holding shirt but bought a shirt and jacket for the drains on Amazon (2 day delivery:). And the mastectomy pillow is a must! It made me feel more confident somehow.
It’ll all be over before you know it!! Sending you all my good thoughts, good vibes, good energy, and prayers! You got this!! ♥️

@bpknitter53
Amazon sells the pillows for your car, for your seat belt to protect your boob or boobs. Fairly inexpensive. Amazon also has shirts with pockets in them so you can go places without them showing . Two deep on right side and two on the left. The long sleeve one has deeper pockets, wore it all the time. Appointments, out to dinner. It's very freeing. I drained them in the morning and at night. that should take care of any problems you are experiencing. If you have to empty them more than that you are moving around too much. The breast surgeon or plastic surgeon should have given you a measuring cup to measure with!!! If they didn't call them up. You wil lnot be able to pull the drain when your finished because the fluid has to be at a low certain level to take the drains out!! Have your doctor take out the drains, don't you do it!!!!

@ksmitty
Look to my comments below about the drains and attire!

Good luck!

@angele2times
My comments to Bpknitter 53!
Good luck

You will need help! You are groggy,sore, and won't remember if you have taken your meds or not!!!
Drains, order shirt from Amazon Mastectomy shirt they are very quick to respond. One long sleeve and one short sleeve. You will use both. Drains fit nicely in the deep pockets provided in each shirt. Go for all hospital, doctor and going out to dinner, if you dare. Empty in the morning, and night. Record fluids right and left, surgeon or plactic surgeon should supply measuring cup for this. This is your ticket for dropping the drains as soon as you can!! Too much fluid, stop doing so MUCH!!!!
Good luck!!