Bosom Buddy

I had my first post-op today at the surgeon's office. All is good. No pathology yet. Hopefully tomorrow so I do not wait this whole long weekend for results. Otherwise, all is proceeding as expected. I was not quite ready to have my drain removed so I will have my "bosom buddy" with me until after the holiday.

For those unfamiliar with drains, one or multiple are used to drain the fluid that collects in the space that was operated on and/or removed. (My layman definition.) There is a plastic tube that is sutured into your body. At the other end is a bulb in which the drained fluid collects. I think mine is called a J-P drain, if you care to Google. Every few hours you "strip" the drain, essentially meaning you push the fluid in the tube down into the drain. Then you empty the drain and record how much fluid there was. Eventually there is little enough draining that the device is removed.

It's gross, in my opinion. And it's kind of a weird and bulky reminder that all is not well. Even though it clips to the post-mastectomy bra I wear 24/7, minus a shower every now and then, it makes wearing more normal clothes impossible. So my fashion is now joggers and Craig's t-shirts. It will be nice when it comes out next week.

So for now, I wait. I take it as easy as possible to prevent additional pain and drainage. I hope I don't bleed and develop a hematoma. I pray for good pathology.