I had a mastectomy yesterday at a day surgery unit. I was discharged 2 hours after my return to the ward…..which was fine with me. However, when I got home my wound was bleeding. There was no dressing as it was closed with glue. The emergency number I was given by the breast unit rang out and no one answered. I rang another number that my breast nurse had given me after my lumpectomy a few weeks ago. That was answered by an admin who suggested I rang 111 or go to a&e if the bleeding was profuse.
It bled more overnight and I rang and left a message for the breast nurse. She didn’t ring back until this afternoon, so I tried my doctors surgery this morning who said that they had a fit in clinic but I’d have to sit in the waiting room indefinitely. She said district nurses won’t do home visits for anyone other than those permanently bed ridden or otherwise unable to get in.
So it seems to me that there is absolutely nowhere to turn if you find at 9pm after being discharged, that you could do with some help or advice. This evening my bleeding started even more. Breast nurse not available, emergency number doesn’t work. Tried day surgery ward which was open and they gave me another number to ring……..where I was told to go to a&e if I was worried.
What is anyone else’s experience? There is just no back up at all is what it feels like right now. I know it’s not heavy bleeding, just bright red and right along the scar. We’re just lucky we happen to have enough surgical dressing to cover it.
im just feeling so tired and emotional.
