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Tubes and Drains




                " I am afraid that the easiest way to get this tube out, is just to pull it out."

                       
                    When I came out of surgery I had dressing on my stomach wound and dressing on the holes where they place the JP drain. The Jackson-Pratt drain is used to collect all the reminisce of all the fluids and infections left over from surgery. The CNAs would measure the fluid in the JP drain twice a day. They want to know your output because they need to know if the infection is coming out. You don't want the fluid collecting. You risk infections and blood issues. 


                     I remember when I first noticed I had the drains. I didn't understand it but I knew I was afraid the drains would be pulled out. Everything at that point I had to pay attention. I needed to make sure I kept the JP drains in. This to needed to have dressing changed. It was also an opened wound. So we treated it like a wound and were easy with it. I had Josy during my first JP drain being taken out. It was the first drain to be removed I was so excited. I was really excited to have a bit more freedom.



                      When I was laying there Josy came in to check out me. She seriously was a blessing. She had such a positive attitude and she was so relatable. She got together the items she would need to take this one drain out. Specifically gloves and a bag that collects all the tube itself, I believe it was a bio hazard bag because it was tubing from inside my body. She put some gloves.The procedure to remove a JP drain was very simplistic.

                      Josy was all ready as I was too. I couldn't wait to have one less drain in me. I had waiting for this day since I had my catheter removed. She cut the stitch that was holding the tube in place. She then asked if I was ready and I looked at her and said "No" as I continued to laugh. One, two, three, and GO! She started to pull on the tube on the left side of my body and I asked her to stop. She agreed with me and told me that if I need a break to let her know and it can be a little at a time. Thank God because it was the most uncomfortable feeling I have ever had.  She then start to pull the tube again and we continued this four or five more pulls. It was out!! I could not believe it was out. That was the happiest I had been since I had been admitted.

                      A few days went by and my surgeon said I could have my other JP drain out. I was absolutely ecstatic. Finally! This day I had a different nurse, and we will call her Alex. Alex had different ways of doing things then Josy did. I mean they learn the same things and do the same things but we are all different people. Alex would be the nurse removing my JP drain today. So Alex got all the things she needed together which was about the same as Josy.. She got the bag ready and put her gloves on and one, two, three! She started to pull.

                      I asked her to please stop after a little pull. This felt deeper and more attached. Alex said " I am afraid that the easiest way to get this tube out, is just to pull it out." So that's what she did. Oh it hurt and cramped so bad. Like a thousand tiny knives as the drain was being pulled out. It was out and it felt awful. It made that area where I had the drain in sore. It was crampy at this point even after. It was out though and I was so happy. Finally all the crazy tubes were out of me, except my NG tube. I was okay with having the tube in my nose because it took pressure off my belly.



                      Megan could hug me now. She had not been able to be close at all to me before because of all the tubes coming out of me. Megan was ecstatic she came right over and put her arms around me and held me for awhile. It felt so good to feel her touch again. Megan was and is my rock.,

                     


                        

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