Here is a Facebook post:  Great news. My last 2 drains came out this morning. It burned and felt like gurgling sensation went on across my chest. I have areas of swelling and I’m sore, but that means I go off antibiotics starting tomorrow and getting off other medications. I’m progressing very well and next week, I start with filling of my expanders. I’m very thankful and appreciate each brand new day.

I was a nervous wreck for this appointment.  I did take a pain-killer before this visit.  Ray went with me as he has been to every appointment.  I still had fluid buildup and my drains were still producing over 30 cc of fluid, more like 50 cc.  The last of my two drains had to be pulled or the tubes inside my body were going to attach to tissue.  The nurse cut my incisions that were placed around each tube.  The first tube on my right side was difficult to pull and quite snug.  The second tube even more difficult.  The first 2 drains that were pulled almost a week ago was much easier, but those tubes were not far enough in the chest wall like these last 2 drains.  I began to wonder if the tubes were going to come out okay.  When tubes were pulled, the area surrounding the tube in my chest stung at first, and then it felt like the fluid found open space where drain tubes once were and the there was the gurgling feeling.  You could feel the fluid moving, in the open spaces where the tube once was earlier which created a creepy sensation.  My plastic surgeon was out-of-town for Thanksgiving and the nurse who removed my tubes did a fabulous job.  I held Ray’s hand and squeezed it.  It was sitting up on the bench with my legs dangling and kept swinging them while the nurse performed the procedure.  I bet my blood pressure was super high.  The nurse took pictures of my chest and these were sent to the plastic surgeon.  All was good.  I went home and tried to eat something and then slept.  I was tubeless and drainless the day before Thanksgiving.  Yay!