A Cancer Survivor Invents a Better Recovery
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
By Cinde Dolphin
My story is about making the best of life after receiving some major setbacks. I’ve had four separate cancer diagnoses. Each of these cancers included multiple surgeries requiring Jackson Pratt (JP) drains during recovery.
I was instructed by the hospital’s discharge team to use safety pins they provided to secure the heavy drain bulbs to my gown and clothing. Like many other patients, I also experienced problems with the long drain lines catching on doorknobs and the added challenge of juggling drain bulbs while bathing (nothing to pin them to!).
Inspired to create a better solution for managing these JP drains and drain lines I fashioned an easy-to-use soft mesh, zippered pouch for both drain lines and bulbs to wear around my waist like an apron. Voila! No more juggling bulbs in the shower or snagged drain lines.
Knowing that many other patients were faced with the same post-surgery struggles, I decided to share my solution with the world. I started a business in 2016 with the assistance of the local startup community and, along with a SBDC Small Business Loan, I began to market the product to nearby physicians and hospitals. I received Patent #D938580 In December 2021, from the US Office of Patent and Trademark for my invention.
“Essentially, I felt that I owed a debt to the entire medical community after being fortunate enough to survive four rounds of cancer. My instinct told me that a way of giving back was to bring ease and comfort to post-surgical patients who, like me, found it difficult to deal with JP drains - and retain some dignity.”
I’m proud to say that Medical Drain Carrier is currently in use at several hospitals around the country. Also called “KILI Carrier,” the low-cost solution has moved beyond being just for breast cancer patients and is now used for bariatric, cardiac, and gender reassignment
surgeries.
Just knowing I have helped even one person through the process of recovering from surgery, gives me all the satisfaction I could want. My oncologist, Scott Christenson MD, provided this observation, “Equipping a patient with the knowledge their creation can improve the medical outcome of others only adds to their own healing process.”
The post-surgical solution is also available to individuals for purchase and can be ordered through the company website: www.MedicalDrainCarrier.com or Amazon.
Connect With Cinde
@KiliCarrier
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