'cause my mom isn't gonna come if she has to do them... she doesn't want to do the drains and says i should hire a nurse. i've got to let my backup know by tomorrow night if i need her or not.
so the guys who've had surgery, how bad are the drains? how often did you have to get them cleaned in the first couple of days and were you able to do them yourself without jeopardizing recovery?
They wern't bad at all.
The worst part about them was the fact that the bandages are on there pretty tight and they're a lil uncomfortable as they're jabbing into your skin. Its mildly irritating at worst. As far as emptying them goes my mom helped me with that, but I'm sure you could do it yourself without any trouble. Your surgeon will give you instructions on how often you have to empty them. I was given a chart to fill in as far as how much was drained out each day(they give you what looks like a piss cup with measure lines on it.) I was told to empty them twice a day once when I got up and once before bed. It wasn't nearly as gross as I thought it would be.
thanks for the quick response. i thought it was every few hours, not twice a day... so that makes me feel a bit better.
You could probably do it yourself depending on how that stuff bothers you. My g/f said she wouldn't do it then the nurse explained it and I think she felt like she had so then she was OK with it.
they're uncomfortable and sorta gross. someone needs to be instructed how to drain them as soon as you wake up, but after the first twelve hours or so i did them on my own.
I did them on my own no problem at all. And how often depends on how fast they fill. It was only once or twice a day for me too.
Dennis
I was able to do them myself no problem also. My brother was greatly relieved; he hates medical stuff.
Jay
thanks guys, a lot. i have no problem with "gross" stuff i just wasn't sure if i would be physically able to do it and it sounds like i will be.
Quote from: J.T. on January 07, 2009, 08:43:01 AM
thanks guys, a lot. i have no problem with "gross" stuff i just wasn't sure if i would be physically able to do it and it sounds like i will be.
That was my concern also but they hung down low enough from the surgical binder that I could reach them.
Oh, and where are you having your surgery? I think I missed that post!
Jay
i've been wondering the same thing!
i don't have a surgery date yet but i have been thinking about the drains....
my partner had a drain when she had breast cancer & she'd do it for me....still, i get a little queasy just thinking about it all.....clunk! :-\
Queasiness happens. I almost lost it the first time I saw a clump of who knows what come through the tube. It's much less disgusting than changing a bloody tampon, IMHO.
I'm going to Brownstein. Woot, two weeks from today i'll be down there in SF.
Thanks for all the responses, i shared them with my mom and she said that she'll "survive" now.
Dress warm, its been cold and wet in SF for over a month now.
thanks for the tip
You'll like him. He's cool. I drove his office staff batty by always being early. Oops.
Jay
P.S. That's because he doesn't have a 'normal' doctor's office. ;D
Quote from: sneakersjay on January 07, 2009, 08:42:29 PM
You'll like him. He's cool. I drove his office staff batty by always being early. Oops.
Jay
P.S. That's because he doesn't have a 'normal' doctor's office. ;D
It's almost annoying how much they hate that. Especially since the buses in Potrero Hill suck so badly.
Yeah, that is kind of an odd place for a doctors office.
Quote from: tekla on January 07, 2009, 09:04:30 PM
Yeah, that is kind of an odd place for a doctors office.
I was lucky; it was only 4 blocks from where I was staying. So I walked.
Jay
Quote from: Mister on January 07, 2009, 09:03:04 PM
It's almost annoying how much they hate that. Especially since the buses in Potrero Hill suck so badly.
Good to know it wasn't only me!!
Jay
Not at all, Jay. I live here and have gone for a bunch of follow ups (he's curious and most of his work flies away!). Kathy is cranky EVERY TIME. I've managed to now time it to where I get to his office about 5 minutes early.
oh this is good to know, i always show up at least 15/20 minutes early. better to be early than late. i've got no idea how to get around SF so i'm giving myself plenty of time.
There's really only two ways to get to his office on public transit-
The 22 (which can be picked up at 16th & Mission BART, Church & Market or connects with many other lines, including the 9 from SOMA) to 22nd & Pennsylvania. Walk one block down Pennsylvania to the corner of Mariposa and you're there.
Or the K/T line to Mariposa, 3 or so blocks under the highway to the corner of Pennsylvania.
Well, i guess you could take CalTrain too, but that hill's a bitch...
Don't forget a treat for Frank the "weenie dog"!
Quote from: Mister on January 08, 2009, 08:07:34 PM
There's really only two ways to get to his office on public transit-
The 22 (which can be picked up at 16th & Mission BART, Church & Market or connects with many other lines, including the 9 from SOMA) to 22nd & Pennsylvania. Walk one block down Pennsylvania to the corner of Mariposa and you're there.
Or the K/T line to Mariposa, 3 or so blocks under the highway to the corner of Pennsylvania.
Well, i guess you could take CalTrain too, but that hill's a bitch...
Isn't the stop at 18th and Pennsylvania for the 1 block walk to Mariposa on the 22 bus? I walked from 17th and Connecticut to Mariposa, but took the 22 bus a few times to go other places.
Jay
Quote from: J.T. on January 06, 2009, 08:35:38 PM
so the guys who've had surgery, how bad are the drains? how often did you have to get them cleaned in the first couple of days and were you able to do them yourself without jeopardizing recovery?
They aint that bad. had 2 empty em like 4 times aday at first. then when they got 1/2 full. 'bout a day. my cousin & his wife helped me out the first time but then did it on my own to. yep Tekla's right. its hella cold here.
the muni website can help u out 2 get around frisco. click [--plan a trip; find nearby lines/routes--] ;) ;) ;) http://www.sfmta.com/cms/home/sfmta.php (http://www.sfmta.com/cms/home/sfmta.php)
Quote from: sneakersjay on January 08, 2009, 11:01:52 PM
Quote from: Mister on January 08, 2009, 08:07:34 PM
There's really only two ways to get to his office on public transit-
The 22 (which can be picked up at 16th & Mission BART, Church & Market or connects with many other lines, including the 9 from SOMA) to 22nd & Pennsylvania. Walk one block down Pennsylvania to the corner of Mariposa and you're there.
Or the K/T line to Mariposa, 3 or so blocks under the highway to the corner of Pennsylvania.
Well, i guess you could take CalTrain too, but that hill's a bitch...
Isn't the stop at 18th and Pennsylvania for the 1 block walk to Mariposa on the 22 bus? I walked from 17th and Connecticut to Mariposa, but took the 22 bus a few times to go other places.
Jay
Blah, yeah, that. I think i got in the habit of typing 22. :)
QuoteDon't forget a treat for Frank the "weenie dog"!
like dog biscuit, or does he like toys?
and what do you guys mean in that its not a "real office"?
it's a live & work loft. there's no segregated waiting area, just a chest high divider.
frank prefers treats as all he does are lick the toys he has.
yikes!
glad i know beforehand.