Hopeful6

I had a block groin dissection a few years ago.I stayed in hospital for 2 weeks as then my hospital wouldn’t let you home with the drains in.It seems much better now to be able to go home and recover in your own surroundings. 

I found it difficult at first to manage the drains as there is a tendency after a while to forget you have them in and once wrapped the tubes around my bedpost.However it is easier to get around carrying them in a bag.I was able to wash my hair but couldn’t have a shower until the drains were out.Things could have changed now and the district nurse will advise you what to do. 

I had difficulty at first trying to lift my leg onto the bed so a low chair or stool near it is helpful as I used to sit on the bed ,put my leg on the chair then move it onto the bed. I didn’t really have any pain in the area and it felt numb. 

I felt I was in hospital too long as I didn’t feel ill and was taking up a bed. I tried to walk as much as I could up and down the corridor. 

I did develop lymphodema but not straight away and I advise you if you feel you are getting it to ask for details for a lymphodema clinic who will advise you if need be.

I hope things work out for you and you have a speedy recovery  Try not to overdo it at first as your body needs to rest after the operation and except all the help you can get.

I also meant to say my wound healed well and I only have a thin white long scar now. I am able to walk 5 miles a day but please take it very easy and gradually increase your steps. Buy an interesting book and watch your favourite programmes and spoil yourself .See if a friend can walk your dog until you are well enough.

Take care and I will be thinking about you 

I forgot to say it is normal to feel,scared and angry I think we all go through a lot of emotions and I still do.Dont bottle them up talk to someone or write down your concerns .If you see a consultant write down any worries or questions as it is easy to forget them when you are nervous.

An thank you so much for helping me with your experience, it does help to share ideas, anything to lighten my fears.

I now remember the doc saying my foot and leg may swell and I will have to get help looking after it!

it's wonderful to hear you can walk 5 miles, gives me hope and a challenge down the line.you

I have to slowly practice stairs as it's 80 steps up to my work office!! But that's several weeks away!

I know my immune system will need help so am looking up now to how to boost it!. More choc I reckon!!

Thank you

Hi , 

Have you got a date for your op yet?

I had a full groin dissection in May, and have healed really well with no complications. I don’t technically have any Lymphoedema although the feeling of tightness is ever present and sometimes a bit uncomfortable. I’m slightly nervous about flying in November, but desperately need a holiday after this year, so I’ll just have to see how it goes!

There’s quite a lot of information in this thread, as well as a further link:  https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/melanoma/f/melanoma-forum/185050/lymph-node-dissection-groin?Page=0#1375655

It is a big operation so please don’t expect to be doing much at all for the first week if not two... they kept me in hospital for 2 nights, then because I usually live alone, I went to stay with my parents.

You are encouraged to get up and move about, but I found the physical act of getting up and down the hardest. Once up, it wasn’t too bad, but the suggestion of a small stool for lifting your leg up to the bed/sofa in stages is a good one!

Dressing was also quite tricky. Make sure you’ve got some loose trousers that you can easily feed the drains through the leg of. Reaching down to hook my knickers/trousers over my foot was fairly impossible to start with, so if you’re going to be on your own, maybe think about a stick or one of those ‘graby stick’ things you can buy to help - that would have been really helpful actually!

I could shower initially- the drain itself can get wet, it just depends what type of dressing they put on. I taped my drain into a plastic bag for showering, but just so I didn’t have to spend ages drying all the crevices afterwards. Have you got a walk-in shower or is it in the bath? You won’t be able to step into the bath for a while, so that wouldn’t be an option.

Have a good read, and please feel free to ask away. 

All the best, Kate x

Oh Kate

Such a positive reply, Thank you so much.  it's these helpful ideas  I need to hear, gives me hope.

I have just heard my date is the 21st in a hospital 40 miles away, so I will travel down on the train the previous day so I can be there early next morning!!!!  Not that I am keen!!!!

I have contacted the cancer support team in the hospital and they will daily visit and support me as much as they can which is great.

I will look for the 'Grab' stick, such a good idea..

Unfortunately my shower is in the bath so it may have to be a sink wash etc!!!

Thank you again and will keep in touch.

Shirley

Hi Kate

Could I just ask your experience with the drains.

Reading between the lines it is the most difficult thing to deal with.  How did you manage when you went back home

Like you I am on my own, with a dog , was it easy to manage day to day basic things, bending to floor, lifting things from shelves, I need to eat!! And clean her dishes and brush her etc,etc. climb stairs , use wash machine and hanging out clothes. Sorry if I sound petty but having no-one around to make meals etc we just have to get on with it so looking for tips. Thank you.

Take care

Shirley

Hi Shirley,

Yeah the drain was definitely the worst bit, and was what gave me pain to be honest. I had no problems with the wound in my groin, but I think the drain experience is a bit unpredictable and different for everyone. Carrying it around and emptying it was alright, just annoying. Get a bag with long straps so you can have it over your shoulder to keep your hands free, but keep the drain below the height of your thigh. I used a light cotton shopping bag.

I’ve been writing a blog of my experience, mostly so I didn’t have to keep repeating myself to everyone, and I just had to look back to see what the timescales were like post-surgery.

I posted some pics of the drain 4-days after my op, and I was struggling at that point, but to be honest it was very up and down for a good two weeks. I think you might struggle on your own to start with - try to keep your expectations in check! It might be good if someone can come and stay with you for a few days, at least while you see how you’re coping. If that’s not an option, then have some very frank conversations with the team in hospital and don’t go home before you’re confident you can manage. Although I know you’re going to be worrying about your little dog!

Everything was an effort, took forever, and was completely exhausting, so make sure the food you’ve got in doesn’t require any prep! And on that note, I was terribly constipated, which is quite common with a general anaesthetic and morphine apparently, so plan ahead for that too!

In answer to your specific points - lifting things was fine, but bending down to the floor was impossible... maybe you could feed your dog on a low table, or on the stairs for a while?? I know that sounds crazy but I can imagine that will be a challenge.

General doing stuff was okay, if it didn’t involve bending and standing up from a seated position. Weirdly I was okay with the stairs, not sure if that’s everyone’s experience? It was just exhausting. Getting up, dressed, washed and fed took most of the morning, then I needed a lie down after lunch when the pain seemed to be worst. Don’t skimp on the painkillers.

It might be useful for you to read the blog, but I don’t want to freak you out!! Remember I was feeling very sorry for myself too... it’s all do-able and you will be fine. Just be prepared for not being able to get comfortable - that was the biggest surprise for me. I’d envisaged lots of reading and tv watching, but it just didn’t happen! 

https://onedaywithoccasionalleaps.wordpress.com

I can’t believe I’m 5 months on from this! It does all get back to normal. Xx