Drain Removal, Yippee (Breast Cancer Diaries – Day 21)
Today was drain removal day. Because of that, this post starts with a giant yippee. Imagine having two things sticking out of your torso underneath 
your armpits—two long tubes attached to what looks like plastic hand grenades—making it impossible to sleep on your side (the only way I’ve ever slept). But mine are gone now, and that’s okay. Mastectomy drain removal feels like a turning point in this journey.
For those just joining me, you can read about how miserable the drains were in Day 20: Coping With Drains. What a difference a day makes.
The Trip
My son drove me down to Lahey in Peabody in the yucky weather. He couldn’t come in with me, due to Covid restrictions, so he sat in the car while I waited…and waited…because my plastic surgeon was in, surprisingly enough, surgery. Eventually he came in, did the drain removal, and I thought I was done, ready to grab some lunch and head home. But wait, there’s more…
Another Procedure
When they did my surgery, the scar across my chest looked like a rolled decorative pie crust made of skin. I knew this wasn’t the finished product after 
reconstruction, so I just rolled with it. But after he did the drain removal, the doctor decided to do another procedure, later the same day. They said they would do the procedure in a couple of hours My son and I went to grab lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, only to get the call halfway through. Back we went; he had a car picnic, and I went back inside. Thank God for take out boxes. But you know what? I had zero cares because of the drain removal. I was in total celebration mode.
Ewww, Gross
Let’s just say that this procedure was ewwww, gross. The removed those rolled pie crust looking strips of skin. Luckily for me, I have no feeling there so no numbing was needed. But it was disgusting. The surgeon was on one side, and his fellow was on the other side and it was like ready, set, go, Start Cutting! After that the stitched me up so my boobs, or what’s left of them with the skin expanders look like they belong to Frankenstein, or his bride. I guess if I’m every ready to start dating after this, I’ll have to look for a green guy with bolts in his neck or something.
Yesterday’s Check-In
Yesterday was a post-op appointment with my surgeon to make sure everything was okay, and thankfully it was. But still no pathology report. That waiting game is hard, the scary “what if” questions about whether the cancer had grown or spread into my lymph nodes. I don’t think it did, but waiting is never easy. I was also begging her to do the drain removal herself, but nope, she said the plastic surgeon had to do it.
What’s Next
Next up is Friday’s meeting with my oncologist. He’s a nice guy—quirky, but kind. We’ll talk about whether I need chemo, radiation, or hormone therapy. Honestly, I’m hoping for none of the above. Chemo and radiation are frightening and tough on the body. Hormone therapy isn’t appealing either since it basically forces your body back into menopause. Been there, done that, didn’t like it. But if it comes to that, I’ll do it. Because at the end of the day, Breast Cancer Sucks—but I’m stronger than it.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Today felt like a win. Mastectomy drain removal may not sound like a celebration, but it represents progress, freedom, and healing. Yes, there are still stitches, scars, and the ever-present waiting for answers. But every step forward—no matter how messy or gross—is proof that I’m moving further from cancer and closer to recovery. That’s worth every “yippee.”
Helpful Links
- Internal: Day 20 (Coping With Drains) shows just how awful those drains were—making this removal a true victory.
- External: Coping With Surgical Drains After Mastectomy – American Cancer Society
