5 1/2 weeks?

There is a really good website to use for reference. It's www.breastcancer.org.
Now granted, this website scared the heck out of me over the sentinel node biopsy... but it also made me question what was going to happen, if numbing was going to be used, etc...

This post is called 5/12 weeks because I finally found an answer to my question: HOW LONG WILL THESE LAST TWO DRAIN TUBES BE IN????? Answer: Possibly 5 1/2 weeks. So now that I know that is a possibilty, I can move onto other things and not be too terribly concerned. Granted, they are not fun, and there is a lot of pinching, pulling, and/or pain associated with them. But it beats the alternative, which is a seroma (a collection of fluid under the skin) that would either have to be extracted with a needle, or worse yet, the drain tube put back in! So, time to put on the big girl panties and just be patient. So, my appointment tomorrow with Dr. Gawley will be cancelled....and I don't think I'll reschedule until I know I'm under 30 cc's!

Another good website, just to purchase things associated with breast cancer:
www.pinkribbonshop.com

I got a really cool hat, pink ribbon bumper sticker, and pink ribbon stickers to put on cards.
Just in case you ever need to go on~line shopping.....

Speaking of shopping:

Some items you will need if you or someone close to you is diagnosed with breast cancer.

DollarTree or probably any Dollar Store will carry packages of these little round cosmetic pads. Usually they are used to apply makeup. However, what hubby creatively uses these for ...... he cuts a slit halfway into the round, then cuts out a little piece in the center. Then Vaseline is applied to the one side. This is then fitted around the drain tube, Vaseline side towards the skin, of course. They definitely help with some of the discomfort. The tight mastectomy bra then goes on, which holds the pads in place :)

Sleeping: Unless you usually sit up when you sleep at night........the best thing I found was one of those pillows with arms that are for reading in bed. At least I do sleep for a few hours! If you try to prop up with just pillows, at least in my case, I will keep slipping lower and lower until I'm down to just one pillow! Can't do that as easily with a reading pillow :)

For the caregiver: Whomever is going to help you with those drain tubes.... you will need surgical gloves in their size and alcohol prep pads (to wipe off the drain collection bulbs)...both of these should be purchased in advance, and make sure to buy a LOT! To minimize the risk of infection, the person will need to glove up before working with the drains, and at first, hubby was going thru EIGHT gloves a day. We are now at four, of course...and we are working on our third box of gloves!

Once again, thank you for reading my Blog...and for all the love and support that is still being sent my way :)

I'll post again soon.....my first appointment with the Oncologist is August 18th.