My mother in law, at age 75, had a mastectomy and was one of those sent home with "tubes".  The first day I witnessed what she had to go through, I almost threw up as it was nauseating to see those bloody strips of gauze that she had to pull out.  I am a dental hygienist, so I brought over fresh gauze and surgical gloves and proceeded to help her.  I was in shock at what she was asked to do at home, and disgusted that her insurance company dictated what physicians and hospitals should be doing. The problem is deeper than it seems.  Legislating seems to be the best way to control insurance companies, as unfortunately, physicians are not able to.

November 2006 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast cancer in my left Breast...The first thing you think of when you are diagnosed with the big C is Death. And all the people you love and not being able to spend the time with them..The new and only grandchild you have been waiting for...And the thought of not being able to see this little one grow up. They called my masectomy A " Simple Masectomy "  The week before they took out all of my limphnodes ..They only could find 7 and 5 of them were cancerous..Then the next week they took my Breast ..It was like hollowing out a pumpkin, a big cave in , I was in a holding room with nine other patients. seperated by curtains .I guess we were all the over nighters I didnt even get a room...and one nurse for everyone...You are in a daze just waiting for what ever is suppose to happen next ...You are only a number ...Tell me what is " Simple " about having your Breast removed ?  Its no wonder we are depressed ..We are special and it is a very big deal to lose your Breast...It is not easy ..But we do recover and we do Survive..I since have had a Tramflap Reconstruction Surgery  Its been a year now..Still recovering ..Had so much Chemo and Radiation ...Still feeling the effects in my body...I am so very grateful to be alive .And my wonderful Grandson is now 4 and I am looking forward to watching him grow up... Please change this law no more Drive throughs ...We need the time , its not just the losing of the breast , it is the fact that we have cancer and are striving to be able to deal with it....They say you should feel better in a year , then they say well really it is two years....It has been almost 3 years and I am still dealing with alot of sideeffects ..I am not sure that they will ever go away...I am working on improving  the quality of my life by the use of Magnets....They have given me my life back...If I can help anyone feel better please contact me @  g2dau@aol.com

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. I had a bilateral masectomy. I was fotunate to have a doctor that did not believe in drive through masectomies. He took into account I had 4 small children at home and kept me admitted for an extra day. Recently, a friend and co-worker was diagnosed. She was sent home the same day. I was outraged. She took it in stride and said she felt good. I couldn't even wipe my own butt because I hurt so bad (thank you sister!). I believe if we want Congress to listen, we need to go to Washington and share our stories. I am ready for a road trip! A masectomy involves removing a body part. As a nurse, I know people are not sent home the same day his or her arm is removed...

I was 31 years old and pregnant with my 5 child when I was told those words you have breast cancer...What a shock I found the lump myself and the first thing the doctors told me was not to worry I was only 31 with no family history and it was just a blocked milk duct...But thank god I listened to my mom and went to the surgen to check it out the did a sonogram and seen that it was not liqued it was solid so then we did the biospy and got the results a week later...My mouth droped I never thought I would ever hear those words...But I did and it was really true...The next day they induced me to have my wonderful daughter...2 weeks to the day I had my right breast removed and 3 weeks to the day I started intense chemo...I am glad to say it is almost 3 years in june that I will be cancer free and I pray to go much longer that way....Thanks for listing to my story it feels good to talk....Jen

7 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which included a mastectomy. I believe that if women are put on earth to give birth to our sons and daughters, to feed those babies with those breasts, to raise the children we have given birth to, to care and nurture the family, to be the ones to hold a household together, in most cases both physically and financially, and all the other things that are included in the lives of women, that we deserve to be able to go thru surgery and be able to adapt to the loss of that part of our body under the care of a medical team for at least 2 days.  The men that make these laws are probably some of the same men who spend evenings in clubs with topless dancers stareing at those breasts for their own enjoyment, but think nothing of the pain when we have to lose one, both mentally and physically.

In 2008 I had a double mastectomy, a drive through double mastectomy.  I was in what was referred to as the 23 hr unit.  Meaning I could not stay any longer than twenty three hours, the insurance would not pay for twenty four hrs stays and beyond.  When I awoke the next morning, my doctor said I could get up and get dressed and go home.  This was the same doctor who told me I could stay for two days because I told him I had no one to take care of me when I got home.  I was so groggy that I could hardly dress myself.  I had two draining tubes coming out of me and I was wrapped up in a huge bandage.  It was a nightmare.  I do believe that if I were a man who had his penis cut off, I would have been able to stay a week.............................. Marybeth

I lost a grandmother recently who had breast cancer. Even though she suffered from many other ailments and chose not to treat her breast cancer. I believe this is a travesty. I worked in a hospital many years and saw a lot of patients with cancer. I cannot imagine being so drained of life from treatment trying to will yourself not to succumb to the disease and being pushed out the door. You need everything bit of strength, wherewithal and support to beat it. It's ludicrous that some third party who has no idea most times, what these women and men are going through deciding what treatment is best for them and assigning some arbitrary time to said treatment. Each patient and situation are different.

I was one of the "lucky" ones. I had a biopsy, a lumpectemy ( which showed a lot of pre- cancer in my ducts) and then a mimimal mastectomy. I had my sugery with a wonderful surgeon, and a wonderful plastic surgeon( who began my reconstruction.)  and I also had a wonderful oncologist. I got out the same day as my mastectomy. Not because anyone was trying to push me out...I did very well with a small amount of pain durning surgery and after surgery.( Of course I was on Daracet so I was somewaht loopy.) But what about the women who do not do as well or are more frightened than I was? Are they pushed out the door? Shame on them that make women who are not only going through one of the worse experiences of their lives indure such great sadness that could be lessened at least somewhat with a little more peace. ...not joy because this is not a joyful experience by anyone's immagination...but some peace. Give us peace. We do not expect happiness, laughter, joy..but we expect to be treated as the wonderful women we are.

After my mastectomy in 1997, I was sent home 24 hours later with a drain tube and little instruction or practice about how to care for it.  A day later, when I was home alone, the stitch broke that was holding it in place under my arm where I couldn't reach.  I called my husband for help, and when he got home, we called the surgeon for advice.  He was in surgery for hours.  We finally got a call back late at night, and he instructed my husband how to re-insert the tube.  I thought we would both pass out, me from pain, my husband, from a history of squeamishness at the sight of blood.  I had alreay experienced a bad infection from the biopsy and was worried about not healing properly.

I am grateful to report that I am healthy today.  I wouldn't wish this type of experience for anyone.

My mother had a masoctomy back in 2000, but they did not get it all out and some spread into her upper costal. As a result, she is now suufering from deisengrating spinal cancer. Had they initailly taken the time to preform the surgery more effectivley, than she would be cancer free today. And that particular hospital also sent her home soon after her surgey, but she was abruptley btought back in an ambulence, less than 24 hours later because her body went into toxic shock from an infection she got from the cut site! Allowing Masoctomy's to become an out-patient procedure, is irresponable and in-humane as you can see the results of "brief routene procedures". I sent this to all the females I know and all the males that know females because I am sure that they would be appalled by these decisions as well. 

I had what could have been called a "drive-thru" mastectomy, being released from the hospital in less than 24 hours--only it was my doctor--not the insurance company-- insisting that I get out of the hospital to get away from the swine flu and other infections that presented problems in the hospital.  Even though I was still groggy and had tubes attached, I think the doctor was right.  I wonder if this would be a good practice on a regular basis, however.  Dealing with the drainage tubes and effects of anesthesia were major problems.  Going home early worked for me because I had a great support system, but I would feel bad for those who were not as fortunate.  Good health to all.

I am a 20 year survivor. I was lucky enough to only need a lumpectomy plus chemo & radiation. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days. I cannot even imagine how much greater my fear would have been had I been sent home immediately. Knowing someone was there to answer my questions and help with pain management was a big help. I can only imagine what I would have felt after a full mastecomy. To be sent home immediately is not even fathomable.

I was sent home the same day after undergoing a lumpectomy ( the size of a lemon) with drains in, horribly nauseated, in excruciating pain, allergic to pain meds,  & so equipped with advil (if I was inpatient, the pain could have been controlled), and an hour long drive, only to have to return the NEXT DAY to have the drains seen to.....This was torturous and inhumane to say the least. I can not imagine having a breast removed as an out patient procedure! Simply outrageous!   I was fortunate at that time to find out I was benign, but was diagnosed malignant 2 years ago. I underwent another painful lumpectomy, but with better pain management; it was still an outpatient procedure, still horrifying to be sent home in pain both physically and emotionally......I do believe that if men had to go through this, the procedure would be different......

Although I have had a lumpectomy many years ago (thankfully benign) and have several family members who have had breast Ca, I felt a sense of urgency to respond here because of experiences I had as a  home care nurse.

Occasionlly, physicians will refer thier patients for a homehealth nurse visit upon their discharge from hospital. This is an ideal situation, as the nurse can make contact with the patient's significant other very quickly, assuring them that help is on the way and they are not "in this alone".  Even though the nurse may not actually visit the home till the next day, much can be done over the telephone to quell their fears and answer immediate questions, that they may not have even been able to think of while still at the hospital.

In other cases, however, where the MD for whatever reason, does not make a home health nurse referral, the patient and her family may be struggling along for a few days before a neighbor/friend/etc suggests to her that she request a nurse.  After getting that kind of referral I have gone in at that late situation and you can really see the negative effects that the failure of our system can have on outcomes. Not only is the patient and her caregiver totally exhausted,depressed, and frustrated, but there may be infection resulting from poor dressing change techniques, poor healing related to nutrition, and inadequate pain management. 

Any person (male,female,young,old, black,white) who has been told that they have cancer has quite a bitter bite to swallow.  Then before they have time to start digesting that news, they have to undergo surgery where a major body disfigurement is performed, wreaking havoc on the individual's body image and feelings of sexuality.  No other radical surgery done under general anesthesia with drains and pressure dressings left in place and having so much emotional/psychological impact on the patient would ever be handled in this manner.  Would a person with amputation of a limb be sent home within 24 hours? Of course not? So why should we discharge a person with an amputation of the breast so quickly???

    This happened to me.  It was aweful, painful and emarassing.  I thought maybe I was just weak or not brave enough.   I had a modified radical mastectomey with some reconstructuiion at the the same time.  The surgeon moved tissue around so I might have enough tissue to hold my bra down.  It was a fairly new type of surgery.  The surgery was done in the afternoon and they sent me home the same evening.  The recovery room was a painful blurr.  I sort of saw my husband and my girlfriend.  The nurse asked if I was in pain?  Yes, no I feel like jello I said.   The nurse said to get dressed.  How?  I could barely sit up.  She said she would get my husband.  I fell back asleep.  Wake up! she said.  I could tell she was irritated.  I was embarrased.   Then she talked about a drain  (I say little kitchen drains with bandaid wings as I fell back asleep).  At this point my husban and girfriend asked the doctor and the nurse to keep me overnight.  They said I was in pain, not myself and what about this drain thing.  The doctor said no.

 Next thing I remember I was home in bed.   The next day when my sister (oh yea we called in support) and I went to change the bandage, we say a tube sticking out of my breast.  I guessed that was the drain.  My chest was bound up tightly with bandages and ace wrap I wondered how it could drain,  but that is how they wrapped it at the hospital so I re-wrapped it the same.  Turnes out that was a mistake. A week later when I went back to the doctors office to have the drain removed it was a bit stuck.  So when they pulled it out, it HURT, and then it drained alot( a weeks worth I guess).  I have continued to have considerable pain in my breast since the surgery 2 years ago.  I do not know if it has to do with my lack of medical support at the time of my surgery or not, but maybe.  

I had surgery Feb 22, 2008 and am now a two year survivor.  I spent one night in the hospital for my right side mastectomy with twenty three lymph nodes removed and five being positive. and five days in the hospital for my reconstructive surgery.  I went through 15 months of chemo and 30 days of radiation and came through with flying colors and still worked a full and part time job and bowled two nights a week.  I had a positive attitude I was going to beat this.  If your attitude is negative you will struggle the rest of your life.  The reconstrutive was more pain than the original surgery.  If I had it to do over again I would still do the same.  The reconstructive surgery was the tram flap so I have no implant.  While in the hospital both time I had wonderful nurses.  When going home I was put in a wheel chair.  They would not let me walk out.  Both times going home the weather was horible but the nurse still wheeled me out to the car and helped me get in.  I plan on living a long and healthy life.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March 2000.  I went into the hospital for a modified radical mastectomy on May 1, 2000 and discharged from the hospital on May 2, 2000.  It's amazing how they threw me out the next day with drains and pains.  My surgeon apologized for sending me home the next day and said that the insurance companies are not allowing the patient's to stay any longer than the overnight stay.  My nurse and surgeon explained to both myself and my husband how to care for the drains and incisions and I would hear from her in a few days to see how things are going and to let me know what the pathology for the lymph nodes would be.  I was totally out of it not because of the anesthesia and surgery, but the whole situation.  My youngest child was 3 years old at the time and it was tough coming home after the mastectomy and take care of your children.  Thank goodness for both my husband and mother for taking the reigns and helping with the kids and the house.

I don't know if these politicians and insurance companies have had anyone who has had this done, but if they did, they would see where we are coming from.  It's tough enough to hear the words "breast cancer" let alone swallow what else is on our plate with regards to additional surgery and treatment. 

I had someone from the American Cancer Society call me as soon as I got home from the hospital stating that she volunteers as a "Reach to Recovery" person and told me that she was coming over to show me to exercise and bring me "goodies" which included a bra, exercise ropes, and other things to help reduce the risk of lymphedema.  All of this scares the hell out of you. 

I am now 10 years out and still going strong!!!!  I will continue to fight this disease everyday!!!

As a very grateful 4-time survivor, I have a great story to tell, but now is not the time.  Without socialized medicine, the profession is going to drain every cent it can from every medical procedure known to the profession, because the hypocratic oath is not as important as the almighty dollar.  That's the reason for outpatient mastectomies.

 I never opted for a mastectomy because I always felt that the procedure is unnecessary. When the subject of mastectomy was first discussed with me, it was a male doctor listing the pros of having it done. " Funny", I thought, "his breasts are not as important to his manhood as mine are to my womanhood.  Of course this conversation makes sense to him!" 

I also feel that some women choose this procedure after being convinced they don't need the breast(s).  Most of the women I've met who have had mastectomies live to regret their decision, or lived no longer than those who chose not to have a mastectomy. 

Currently, I am convinced I have the best cancer team any woman could ask for.  I did my homework, settled for nothing less than the truth and the best, and kept in mind that my doctors work for me, and I deserve the best!  Only an informed woman can chart her own destiny.

Kate

I had a Modified Radical Mastectomy in June, 2008. I found my lump on my right breast while watching tv. It was really big, 7 centimenters. I was asked, while laying in the recovery room, if I wanted to go home. I quickly, even while drugged, told them "No, who would take care of me? My husband and daughter would not know what to do.". I did get to stay one night and was there about 23-24 hours. I was given literature on how to empty the drains. I didn't have any trouble with the drains which I did myself. I was aspirated twice after the tube came out. I now have a huge hemotoma which has been drained twice, too. I did quite good after the surgery with some pain but not debilitating. I did good with the chemo, too. My doctor gave me prescriptions for four medicaions and I was told to take one if I got sick. I was really fatigued but never threw up although I was naseauted (sp). The radiation was awful. I was scheduled for 33 treatments but was burned so badly they droped the last three. I kept telling the doctor that I was getting burned and he said that was what they wanted, to kill any cells with heat. The burn was so bad that it had  large open sores, blisters, etc. I sleep with just a tshirt on at night and when I woke up each morning the shirt was stuck to the burns.

The worst part of cancer is losing my hair. The wig was so hot and itchy that I hated it. I don't look good in scarves so I didn't wear them.

I am going to have surgery after the first of the year to have the hemotoma worked on and have a breast reduction on the left side. I was not a candidate for reconstruction because of my age and my health. I also have COPD. I expect that it will be an outpatient deal, too.

I have a friend that has had a lumpectomy and now has lung cancer. She and I compare notes on what information each of our doctors has told us. We both got completely different information or, sometimes no information. My hospital did give me a large book which had all of the information anyone would need to learn about breast cancer.

I'm going on two years as a breast cancer survivor. God bless all you other survivos.

I'm 9 mos. past my breast cancer diagnosis.  The surgery involved a lumpectomy and the removal of 14 lymph nodes and I am so glad I had the benefit of one night in the hospital. So... I can't imagine having more comprehensive surgery and being told to head home?  I've never met a survivor who wasn't a strong woman, but drive through mastectomies must not happen.

I'm also a realist.  We must find new ways to make health care more affordable, and government isn't going to be the solution. After Katrina and the ecomonic crisis, you think I want the government making critical life and death healthcare decisions for all of us?  Where are the smart people who can find the creative solutions?

I had an aunt who had inflammatory breast cancer 17 or so years ago. At that time there hadn't been very much research on this type of cancer and she died as a result of it even though she'd had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation. I think we as women are being treated very callously and are being disrespected... nothing having to do with our breast seems to be a priority when it comes to insurance companies. It seems they think we are just being vain, silly or just whining about losing a breast. It may just be a breast to some but to others it is their femininity, motherhood and our rite of passage into becoming a woman not to mention the pain and suffering one has to deal with in the aftermath of a mastectomy. Without the support a healthcare facility can provide in the critical time after surgery and support at home I'm not sure many women will survive this invasive proceedure. If we are being treated like a hamburger at a fast food restaurant, in and out, we aren't getting the help or respect we deserve nor the compassion. Anyone (congressional and/or insurance companies) who feels we don't need this support should have to deal with something as traumatic as this or visit a hospital where this is being done. Maybe they should have to care for someone who has just gone through a mastectomy. Not only is it physical but the psychological issues need to be addressed before we ever leave the hospital. Like grieving for a lost love one, we need time to adjust to losing something that has been with us all our lives.

I had a partial mastectomy in 2003. My surgeon wanted me to stay in the hospital for 3 days, but my insurance would cover only one night, and of course, I couldn't afford the expense on my home.  The lump was large and very close to the surface of my chest , so everytime I moved, it looked and felt like the tube would come poking through my skin from the inside out.

It's a good thing I was allowed to stay overnight since I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and anti-biotics. My blood pressure dropped to 70/50 and my heart stopped in the middle of the night. I can't imagine having this kind of surgery under local anesthesia.

This bill is so important.  I know from my sister's experience with mastectomy and being sent home the same day. She was in so much pain, and  having to deal with drains.  She only ended up going back to the hospital that evening and being admitted for two days.  Along with all the physical pain she had to deal with going home on the evening of her mastectomy, she also had to endure the pain of not being able to have reconstruction because of pulmonary embolism.  If ever she goes out she hates wearing that heavy ball of fake breast made out of silicone.  She still gets so depressed.  She recently tried to see if there was someway she could have reconstruction, but still she is  told she can't.   It's been 5 years since she had the mastectomy, but she still relives the pain of that day.  She feels less then a woman but I tell she she's all woman, and that we all love her.  I try to be there as much as I can for her.  Thank God that when i was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't need a mastectomy.     I can't say that I didn't go through pain because I was lucky enough to have a small lump and  only needed a lumpectomy and radiation..  Well I am blessed and so is my sister because we are survivors.  God Bless all survivors and God willing, this bill will go through for  the rest of the women who must endure the scary feeling of not knowing exactly how to take care of themselves and dealing with all the pain that goes along with this terrible thing.

I had a bilateral mastectomy at the age of 20. The hospital wanted to discharge me within hours after I woke up. I did not receive any type of counseling. Once my surgery was over it seemed as if my doctor did not care at all. I am now forty and at the age of 35 I changed from saline implants to silicone to avoid the appearance of my saline implants  would eventually take. They changed shape and made krinkly sounds. They had to be replaced. To avoid replacement of the saline implants every five to seven years I chose to get silicone implants. Two months ago, I fell while sleep walking and ruptured both of my implants. I still have not received approval for my damaged implants to be replaced. This has affected me physically with pain and emotionally due to my appearance when I look at myself in the mirror. The physicians I have used in the past always tell me the surgery doesn't cause much pain. Obviously they have never had to feel the physical or emotional pain we have to go thru. I want to help make a difference. Angela Phillips

At age 41 during a routine mamogram, a radiologist discovered 3 microcalcifation clusters in 3 different locations.  A surgical biopsy revealed that I had DCIS (breast cancer in milk ducts).  I was told that a lumpectomy was not possible in this situation so I needed to have a bilatteral mastectomy.  I chose to go to a Center of Excellence Hospital for the procedure which is 2 hours away from my home.  The surgery was to remove both breasts and insert expanders for later reconstruction.  My surgery was several hours and they did keep me overnight in the recovery room.  My doctor offered for me to stay 1 more night, but they did not have a room available (I would need to stay in the recovery room with 20 other people) and I would have to leave early the next morning.  I was discharged as soon as I could stagger to the bathroom after they removed my cathader.  I was sent home EXTREMELY drugged (which I desperately needed) and 4 drains.  We made it home, but I had some complications with pain and breathing after I was home.  I had to return back to the hospital (2 hour drive each way) to be seen and have the issues attended to.  This would have been avoided if they would have kept me an additional day or so.  I have 2 children ages 5 and 8.  My point is that the extended stay IS needed.  It should be a standard of practice to stay a minimum of 4 days.  The patient should not  be expected to return home prior to that.  Coming home when you are not ready is extremely difficult for those around you as well as yourself.  Please sign this petition so that this bill may be passed!

I had a partial mastectomy in April. One week later I had sentinel node surgery removing 9 lymph nodes.  One week later I had a hematoma come up on the incision of the last surgery.  I was in such excrutiating pain I thought I was dying.  There was a blood vessel that had burst and the surgeon had to do emergency surgery and had a hard time finding it.  The first two surgeries was outpatient and I left the same day of my surgery.  I was in a lot of pain and my mother had to stay with me to take care of me.  The last surgery I stayed in the hospital overnight but went hom the next day so it wasn't even 24 hours.  The last surgery was when they put the drain tube in and it was painful and even more painful when they removed it.  I was unaware of the Mastectomy Stay law.  I wish I had known then I would have insisted on the stay.  Let's get this passed in all states.  Women need the recovery time in the hospital.

My sister didn't have a masectomy,but she came very close,at the tender age of 13. I had just had my first child and he was like 3 weeks old,he threw his head back and clipped her in the chest when she was holding him,the end of her boob swelled up and looked like a  very large spider bite,my Mom asked me what I thought,I said it looks like a spider bite-but if I were you I would take her to the doctor and make sure,it sort of looks infected,it was very red,as it turned out he rushed her to surgery and left us hanging,scared like her as to what the out come would be, as he could tell us nothing. After surgery my mom went in first and came out very fast crying,my sister was still out but appeared as though she had had a double masectomy, it was very heartbreaking and her just begining her life and given such a thing to have to go thru,the Doctor came and saw us ,and said no,no,no,it is not what it appears,She had a large walnut size tumor which turned out to be benine and 3 cyst's he drained and on the other side she had 11 cyst's he drained,he said even if it would of been bad and it wasn't benine he would not have givin her a radical masectomy,and to thank God that my infant had hit her in the chest with his head,because of that they caught it befor it changed,and all those cyst's did not get a chance to change also into tumors,with so many we would probly be preparing for a funeral,just for the fact alone they had popped up so fast,as she had had x-rays and blood work and a complete phycal not that long ago,while I was still pregnat,and they had found no lumps during her breast exame.She is now 51 and was blessed,we prayed for her and by God's good graces she so far has never had any reacurances, I do not remember what kind of treatments she did after words,All I can say is that our family was greatly Blessed,My sister grew up,had her children,but for some strange reason she was never able to breast feed,she always dried up faster than her milk came in.

My mom recently had to undergo a mastectomy, and we were all surprised that she would only have a few hours to recover before they sent her home. Luckily, they were nice enough to allow her to stay overnight, because she was in so much pain. However, they rushed her out early the next morning, still in very much pain, with her drainage bag still attached. She was in terrible pain over the next two weeks, but we let her rest and she had plenty of help, so she rarely had to get out of bed for anything. But, having to have the breathing tube in her throat during surgery left her unable to speak above a frail whisper for about three days, and the pain medication that she was on had her so "doped up" that when she tried to get up to go to the restroom, she ended up falling down and hurting herself in the bathroom. It would be a great idea that in signing the petition, that it be added to it that when the patient has to go in to have that drainage bag removed, that the doctors must numb the area before removing it-- when my mom went in to have hers removed, she said there was no pain medication, no numbing shots, nothing- they counted to three and then "jerked" the tube from her already sore breast! It has been very sad to see someone I love so much have to go through such an ordeal. I never really gave much thought to the matter until it happened to someone I love, but isn't that how it usually goes? We all need to support this issue, as well as others, because you just never know when you're going to get the news that someone you love has been diagnosed with some type of serious illness.

I have never been through a Masectomy and do not know anyone who has. But I can agree that it must be a horrible and emotional experience and I believe all women deserve to be treated with respect and given the care that they need to heal properly physically, mentally, and spiritually. I have started this cause on Facebook to allow more people to become involved. This is a cause we can conquer!

First of all, I wanted to say, God Bless You breast cancer survivors.  I had mammogram end of April.  Looked bad with numerous microcalcification clusters scattered throughout both breasts.  After a month and a half, I had 4 bilateral breast biopsies.  They took 2 shot glasses worth of tissue out of the right breast, and I was barely a B.  Anyway, within 2 1/2 hours after surgery, I was sent home.  Shortly after getting home, my right breast developed a Softball size hematoma.  Very painful.  Called the Surgeon and he said wrap as tight as I could stand for 3 days and he'd see me at my post-op appointment.  I went through 3 months of back and forth to the Dr. to see if it could be aspirated, and finally after that amount of time the incision opened up and most of the hematoma drained through it.  Still have a golf ball left, and the incision has closed again, but the breast is now very gross looking. All this to say...  Had I been in the hospital just 2 more hours, the hematoma developing would have been dealt with properly.  I still have trouble dealing with the whole ordeal, and the emotional yo-yo of it all. 

I can't even believe that after a mastectomy, it would even be considered to send a woman home same day!  Just the emotional trauma of losing your breast should take considerable support and care.  And that's not to even mention the trauma of dealing with a Cancer diagnosis.  Has the medical community lost all heart?  This is disgusting how the entire process of breast cancer and diagnosis is dealt with still today.  I pray there are medical breakthroughs in the diagnosis process and treatment for this disease.  And again, God Bless those Women who have and are dealing with Breast Cancer.

I have had a double mastectomy.  The first was my right breast in August 2003.  I had two lip nodes taken out and had two drainage tubes.  The doctor and hospital was going to send me home the same day but my insurance paid for a 24 hour stay.  At the last minute before checking out of the hospital, the nurse showed me and my husband how to drain and clean the tubes.  Once I got home, my husband turned his back and wouldn't help.  My three year old grandson helped.  He was great.  In Dec., 2006, I went in for my yearly mammogram and check-up and they found two types of Cancer in my left breast.  On January 2, 2007, my left breast was removed.  I had no help with this one and no support.  My husband was leaving me after 33 years of marriage.  Just during 2007 beside the breast cancer, I had six surgeries, and I died twice, three months apart.  All of this was officially due to the breast cancer.  I was on life support and in a coma for several days for both.  In fact, the second time, I was pronounced dead, and if I lived I would probably be a vegetable.  I will soon be 62 years old.  It took me two years to get over things, but I believe in miracles, God, and Angels.  I work but I also talk when I can to other people with cancer.  Patients do need to stay longer.  It is such an ordeal, especially the first time and you need support and help.  I didn't have the support I needed but I am doing fine and happier than I have been in years.  If I can speak or help anyone, I will be glad to.  Thank you for listening.

I had a drive thru axilliary disection in 1990, following a lumpectomy at age 42 and less than 24 hours later was back in the hospital for a week--this is madness-19 years later and we are still fighting for some dignity and quality of care after life altering surgery---

I wish there was a way to link this to facebook so my friends could easily sign the petition and get their friends to sign as well. 

I had a double bilateral mastectomy in June of this year. I was discharged with in two hours after surgery. I had severe complications that later resulted in being re admitted to the hospital with in the first week post surgery. I feel very much so that I had one of these so called, " Drive by Mastectomy's"  . I am signing my name to this petition to prevent others from going through this.  This surgery was a hard enough ordeal with out the added insult to my body. I know after my experience, anyone that has a surgery of this magnitude should not be made to rush out of the hospital too soon, because of the short term and long term problems that may occur.   No one should have to worry about these things on top of the challenges and fears they will be faced with following this already  scary procedure.

This should be considered on a case by case basis--Each of us is different and have difference responses to illinesses and surgeries. I had breast cancer over 20 years ago ahd have been cancer free ever since, my doctor determined my hospitalization time and recovery treatments along with my input. It pays to have a doctor who is caring and not just in the business of health care for the money.  When I had Breast Cancer it was a 1 in 8 chance, I was not in any risk group and was 39 years old. Today it is 1-9 0r 10 and growing. We need to find a cure.

I'm an 11 year survivor of breast cancer.  When I had my mastectomy I was sent home the day I had my surgery (8 hours later).  Although I probably should have been kept in the hospital, at the time I was glad to be able to go home to my own bed and the care of my husband.  We were able to deal with the tubes and care ourselves.  I am not an advocate for people to go home immediately after their surgery.  I just know for me, it worked out okay. Thank God!  However, I do know people that have been sent home that it was a nightmare. 

My Mom got malignant Ovarian Cancer when I was just out of High School.  The tumor was the size of a soccer ball.  They got it all but right after she got Graves disease (Thyroid).  She got better over time but both of those changed her.  I always felt something was wrong after that.  It bothered me for years but we were just glad to have her with us.  In 2007 she decided to have a mastectomy due to the Doctors finding Pre-Cancerous Cells in one of her breasts.  Things went OK.  I could tell it really bothered her but she was a very private Woman and wouldn't have complained ever.  Within a year she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.  It was in the main section of the pancreaca and was deemed inoperable.  She went through Chemo.  I can't begin to tell you how strong this Woman was.  She fought through all of it until she found it had metastasized into her liver.

She lasted around 13-14 months from the time she found out until the evening of Christmas 2009.  I was with her as she drew her last breath and moved on to Heaven.

She was 75.

I know you would hate me writing about all of this Mom but I just did this to let others know just how much and how hard you fought cancer in your life.  I signed the petitiion also.

May God Bless all of you who have been affected by any and all Cancer

My mother got breast cancer when I was 12. She was only 36. She had a double mastectomy. The doctors didn't catch it soon enough, even know she had had a mamagram one year earlier. My mom was so devestated after the surgery. I could not imagine if she had been sent home right away, it would have been worse. If my mom was still here she'd be leading the front line. She passed away six months after the surgery. It was just too far along, leaving me and my little sister age 7 and brother 4.  I hope this petition is passed for the sake of myself, family and every woman out there that has to deal with this. I'm 27 now and had my first mamagram in Feb. everything came back o.k. Its never too early to start getting checked!!!

My mother had a radical mastectomy while she had Florida Medicare, there was never a length of stay problem. I work for BCBSNC.  At BCBSNC any breast cancer surgery is an automatic approve as inpatient even if requested as outpatient. Outpatient surgery is defined as up to 24hrs after discharge from recovery room, so no one would ever be forced to go home the same day anyway. The days approved with inpatient surgery depends on the contract that the facility has with BCBSNC. The minimum approved is 14d and goes up to 30d for out of state facilities. I do not know what other insurance companies guidelines are...But I can not imagine any insurance company choosing to cut costs by decreasing breast cancer services, there are too many other ways to cut costs that would not be so controversal. Health care costs are astronomical for many reasons. The amount of care we receive and the technological advances have to be paid for somehow. Everyone needs to work together to find solutions to these problems instead of pointing fingers and passing the blame.

I am a nine year breast cancer survivor, giving all praise to God for he alone alerted me to the silent killer "breast cancer " that was developing in my left breast.  Early Detection is the absolute Key. Unfortunately I had a bad experience with the preliminary ultrasounds and doctor who were unable to detect the agressively growing cell. I felt unusual pain and had changes in my mentual cycle.  They explained away every unusual change, I didn't fit the profile, non smoker, no woman ever had breast cancer in my family, too young, it couldn't be cancer.  I was proactive while they were reactive and I was persistance in seeing my doctor as I knew something was wrong. Unfortunately my doctor made me feel that I was imaging the pain,  made me feel as though I merely wanted him to touch me and do a breast exam, he explained away the change in menstral cycle is common.   Thank God I was proactive and persistance, I did not not accept any excuses and explanations, I requested another mamogram and 6-months later they now detected the unusual lump in my breast that was very close to the chest bone which is why it went undetected on the ultrasound.  Thanks to God for giving me the wisdom and the intelligence to pursue the causes to explain the changes within my body, it was detected earlier thus required a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, sickness, hairloss the whole nine yards.  Then I had to fight my employer for reimbursement of time off with pay that was denied even though the doctor provided them with a medical road map they still denied my pay (that's another chapter) . The Insurance company, Doctors and HMOs intentions are good but the endless telephone ARU's is so cumbersome trying to reach labs, nurses to complete forms, scheduling blood test, and surgery would deter most people from getting the right medical attention they need. My surgery was delayed for over two months due to the Surgeons Office Adminstrators were faxing the surgery approval form to a disconnected fax number and all they kept telling me is they faxed the form and was waiting on the HMO approval. The HMO was blaming the delay on the surgeon office and vice versa meanwhile the turmor had grown in size from a dime to a half dollar in size. Finally, God gave me with wisdom to call the HMO approval manager and conferenced them with the surgeon office administrated to make it happen. We verify the information and discovered that the service office administration was faxing the form to a disconnected number for several months.  Immediately the form was faxed to HMO approval manager, who approved it on the spot and the surgey date scheduled. The sad part is that had I not followed up on surgery I would have died as neither the surgeon office administration nor the HMO approval dept, ever bothered to pick up the telephone and contact one another or contact me personally.  I could have died as my life was caught up in paper processing and shuffle of paper from one person desk to another.  I was dying while they were faxing to a wrong number.  Human error is the cause of most deaths. Not to mention the contaminadated red meat that is being sold in the local markets that is filled with chemical hormones that the SDA approved knowing that it's causing cancer cells and is the real source of all cancer. But that's another agenda trying to feed the world and save that for another chapter. Most women are not in tuned changes occuring within their bodies. Many never do self breast examinations or make the time to get a mammograms.  I even found than nurses themselves do not get tested. Early detection is what will save lives.    Save your own life, Pay and attention to changes within your body. Do self examinations,  Get regular check ups, if you notice anything unsual be persistance and down right aggressive in getting the medical attention you deserve. Stop eating the red meat it's contamindated. Eat the vegetables and remove or minimize the stress that is in your life, exercise regulary, stop overeating, reduce the sugar and salt intake and take care of yourself. 

I have to agree with CandyRN. I had a modified mastectomy in 1998 and chose to leave the hospital within 24 hours. I had drain tubes for up to 10 days, but had no problem at home. I am aware that my situation may be different, but I don't know how the bill is written. It would be good to have more specifics.

I have had to experience this.  Thanks to my Doctor, I got to go home the next morning.  Thank God my sister is an RN and took care of me and taught me how to drain the drains properly and measure it for the Doctor and keep track of it.  She changed my bandaides, because I could not.  I couldn't even use my arm.  I just think how bad it could have been if not for her and my Brother in-laws help.
The first time I had Breast Cancer, I only had a Lumpectomy went home that day.  It wasn't to bad.  I had to have a reexcision due to margins not being clear, and Sentinal Node Biopsy and all nodes were clear.  Thank God.  4  years later it came back, that's when I had to have the mastectomy.  Thankfully for my Sister, I did not have to worry about being taken care of properly and changing the dressings and all that because she did it for me.  If I had had to do it myself, I don't know what I would have done.  The nurses at the hospital did not show me anything about the drains and measuring and all the things I needed to know.  Thank God for my sister who knew what to do and helped me to learn.

Before I sign up as supporting this bill I need to know how they are defining "Mastectomy". As a Nurse...specifically, a CRNFA (Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant) who works and firsts assists in Surgery, and specifically with these procedures, I am aware that there are several different types of "mastectomies". Some are much more extensive than others. Therefore using the word "Mastectomy" as a global term isn't serving this cause well in my opinion.

For example...There is the old fashioned (and essentially never done anymore) "Radical Total Mastectomy" that removes all of the breast tissue on the affected side including the muscle and fascia down to the chest wall and all of the axillary nodes. Then there is the "Modified Radical Mastectomy". This surgery is being performed less and less. In this procedure all of the breast tissue is removed along with the axillary lymph nodes on the affected side...however, the muscle and fascia of the chest wall is left intact. There is a "Simple Mastectomy"...in this procedure only the breast tissue of the affected breast is removed...no lymph nodes are removed. The most common approach these days is a "Lumpectomy" with "Sentinel Node Biopsy" and they only remove the axillary lymph nodes if the sentinel node comes back positive. Women who must endure the Modified Radical Mastectomy most certainly deserve a day or two in the hospital. However, the simple mastectomy and the lumpectomy procedures do not (in my opinion) warrant an overnight stay in the hospital. So before I will sign on in support of this bill, I need to know which the definition of "mastectomy " that they are lobbying for an over night stay.

I personally have had three very large biopsies on my right breast. I went home all three times. The last two times with drains in place....not a problem....I have also had three Anterior Cervical Fusions on my neck...I went home after all three of those surgeries the evening of the surgery...no problem...

People keep talking about containing health care costs...extended stays in the hospital add exponentially to the cost of a hospital stay...

my mother had her first mastectomy in 1994 at the age of 73, stayed 2 days in the hospital&was sent home with the drains, etc. In 2005, 2 months after the death of my husband, she had the second one, with the removal of 18 lymph nodes (all clear, thank God) & was sent home the next morning with all the drains, etc. I took her home with me, since she lives alone. Thank the good Lord, she is still going strong & still lives alone, but I feel she would have been much better if she had been allowed to remain in the hospital for 48 hours. I am glad that I was able to take her home with me, but I can imagine how hard it would be for some one who did not have any one to help them, especially with the drains, dressing, etc. What's going to happen when these people are made to wait 2, 3, 4 or more months to have surgery to begin with & then sent home the same day or next morning? Many of them will be dead by then or the cancer so far spread that it will be too late.

It is time for everyone (especially women) to stand up to the law makers and demand that the doctors be allowed to make decisions about their health care, NOT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.  My sister is a breast cancer survivor.  I watched while she endured a lot of pain and suffering and was sent home to worry with caring for herself.  Family members came to help, but we are not trained health care providers.  She should have been in the hospital to be cared for properly.  I am praying that the lawmakers will do what is right and give women time to heal, both physically and emotionally before being sent home. Having cancer is scary enough - don't put these women thru the frustration of being pushed out of the hospital before they are medically ready to be discharged.

Dear Friends, I wanted to add this comment in memory of my doctor, Beth Foil.  She was brilliant, with certifications in emergency, trauma and a breast specialist.  She, herself, had breast cancer.  She opted for a mastectomy.  She died from a blood clot in her lung.  It was sudden and heart breaking.  The world is missing a great person.  I don't know the details of her care.  I know she had returned to work against the advice of her doctor and friends because she wanted to see her patients.  She was on blood thinners, but even those don't work all the time.  I wanted to add this story to point out that even those that should know how to care for themselves don't have all the answers.  How can insurance companies expect those of us without medical degrees to survive?  I don't think they care.  I think they have an actuarial table of that shows the mortality rates and will not do anything until that number reaches beyond the collateral damage rate.  As far as they are concerned the life insurance companies can eat it.  I agree with another posting that said we need to think outside the box and fight back against insurance companies.  We need to protect the quality of care we have now and demand better than that.  I read some of the other postings and the lack of care received, doctors refusing alternative pain meds, lack of caregivers, etc. was beyond heartbreaking.  Congress needs to support the bill that calls for better care for breast cancer patients.  Anyone who does not needs to be voted out of office--and told why. 

I was lucky. I started getting tired and my right breast hurt. I called the doctor and got in rioght away. They found crystals in my right breast and told me it was a form of cancer that spread fast and was deadly. They did surgery the next week and only took out the spots. I have been free for 5 years now and i get regular checks. My family has a big history with cancer.

I had a modified mastectomy of my right breast in March of this year. I went home the next morning after surgery, which was alright with me, I was ready. However, not everyone is ready to leave that early or able to. Every situation is different and every person is different. I went home with a drainage tube and had to go the ER twice with problems with it on the weekend after I got out of the hospital. The surgeon had to remove the tube in his office the following Monday and I had to return to his office over the next 4 weeks to have a needle drain the fluid. We need to do whatever we can to prevent unnecessary complications from leaving the hospital too soon after surgeries.