I had to call her to get a refill on my antibiotics last Wednesday, so she said, "I know you emailed, but give me your numbers again." I reported the 50cc per day that it ALWAYS is. I also mentioned that it had been five weeks, and they said the record for that office was seven weeks. She said, "Yeah, it's been long enough I'd like for you to come in. At lease let us check for infection, etc. How about Friday?"
I went in Friday and the Doctor came in and checked me over and expressed that he wasn't happy with the fact that the drain had been in so long (infection can set in, or the drain itself can cause drainage to continue,) but taking it out too soon can cause the fluid to pool under the skin and require aspiration with a needle every day or two, which, obviously, would be a hassle, so it's a balancing act. They have determined that the magic number is 30cc. At 30cc, it is believed that your body can reabsorb the lymphatic fluid, which is why they try SO hard to get it down to 30cc or less, two days in a row.
Back to the doctor's visit: He talked it out with Terri, checking me over while I was in various positions to see if there was fluid buildup under the skin, even with the drain. He determined there was not. He stripped the tube, and it immediately filled again. I knew it would, because it does every time I strip it, but he looked at Terri and asked, "Did you see that?" Then he told me that if the drainage was slowing down, it should stay empty for a while after being stripped.
The decision was made to try a different and tighter compression. They think that will make me heal more quickly (by holding the parts together that need to heal together,) and therefore not produce so much more fluid than my body can handle. The way they are having me do this is to roll up some Kerlix (very soft gauze) into a roll about 2" or so in diameter and put it in my arm pit on the surgical side. Then, a 6" ACE bandage is wrapped around me tightly, and as high as it can be and still be under my arms. It is tighter than the previous wrap, too.
The next morning showed a 24 output of 80cc. WHAT??? That's MORE! I calmed down when I realized that the Dr. had messed with me a LOT, the drain had been stripped more than usual, etc. Breathe in, breathe out, calm down. I only empty once per day now, first thing in the morning, so I can officially report that Saturday and Sunday's output (based on Sunday and Monday morning's measurements) have been 40cc.
I haven't reached the magic number 30 yet, but there is a decrease for the first time in three and a half weeks. That is encouraging. I am to call Terri tomorrow and report these amounts. She'll talk to the doc and they'll decide what to do. I need to have 30cc or less, two days in a row.
I'm just hoping and praying that tomorrow morning's number is 30. If so, then maybe they'll help me start my divorce proceedings from Jaxson. I'm all done with having him in my life. LOL Especially since I'm returning to work tomorrow. What a hassle it's going to be to have him with me. I wonder if I should dress him in a little outfit? Thanks for that suggestion, Shannon. Now I can't picture him any other way. Sheesh.
NO, coworkers. He will NOT be dressed. In fact, he hides under MY clothing, so you will not even get to meet him. It's for the best. He'll hopefully be out of my life soon, and it's best if you don't get attached. LOL Get it? Attached? Never mind. I'm just ready for him to be UN attached from me.
Now that this post has become WAY too long, I shall not rehash my Memorial Day weekend in detail. Here are the Cliffs Notes: Kevin's BFF Brian and his son Ty came up, I met a cool new family, we grilled, we ate, we saw my parents and my cousin, and, ummm, oh yeah, cut all my hair off. If you aren't on Facebook, I'll post about that in my next post. Both people who started reading this post are now sleeping. Shh. Don't WAKE them!
