Thanks Shane. I agree that pulling it won't fix the problem, but maybe it would take away the pain and discomfort? I get so frustrated with local docs bc they don't even want to deal with me since I have another surgeon. Local surgeon just told me that I either need to stick with Remzi and drive to New York tonight or stick with them and cut the umbilical cord with Remzi. Nice! My body is telling me that it wants the damn thing out. Remzi is going to be doing surgery to correct the fistula so the drain will come out anyway. Do you think if I would just show up at the local ER and ask them if they would just please pull it out I would have luck getting them to do it? I'm afraid to pull it out myself bc the sinus tract connects to my vagina via fistula and I don't want to make that worse. I am in so much freakin pain and the usual "the CT was fine and bloodwork and exam were fine so nothing is wrong" from the ER on Saturday doesn't cut it for me bc I know my body and know when something is wrong......How do your local surgeons deal with the fact that your primary surgeon lives far away? Thanks so much for your reply. It's hard to find people with the mushroom drains