Nuclear Medicine

Kat11
Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have to go to nuclear medicine the day before my surgery. To light up the nodes for surgery. Has anyone done this before and is it the same as having the bone scan or is this different.

Comments

  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #2
    I had it
    It was done right before my surgery, they inject you with stuff that lights up the nodes, and sorry to say it is painful. I asked if they could numb me first and they said no, it needed to be clear of anything but that medicine. If I remember, it was 5 or 6 shots in the boob. But the pain didn't last long and they did it quickly. Sorry.

    =^..^=
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #3
    Wow...Shocker to me
    Oh no....I thought they mentioned something about injecting a dye into me during the surgery? Is there more than one way to find the sentenal node? I do have to go to nuclear but that is for PET scan. Maybe I should clarify this with Doc? Sorry you have to go though it kat....I'll check it out when I see my doc Tuesday.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #4
    cats_toy said:

    I had it
    It was done right before my surgery, they inject you with stuff that lights up the nodes, and sorry to say it is painful. I asked if they could numb me first and they said no, it needed to be clear of anything but that medicine. If I remember, it was 5 or 6 shots in the boob. But the pain didn't last long and they did it quickly. Sorry.

    =^..^=

    Sorry Kat, I don't remember
    Sorry Kat, I don't remember much about that. They did inject something (I thought it was a dye) to find the nodes but I don't remember any pain or much else about it. I think I have selective chemo brain :)
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #5
    Nuclear Medicine
    I just had this done last week.......8 days ago.....mine was done just an hour before surgery.....I must say, it wasn't bad.....I guess every case is different and preformed by different techs........Before my 4 injections, Pain meds were put into my IV and then before EACH injection, they SPRAYED a numbing agent on the breast......the needle prick wasn't much at all.......The dye itself does burn.......for about 10 seconds (but it is tolerable, very much so, at least for me).....one barely at all....I even asked the tech if she was sure she had "enough dye" in that injection....she chuckled! I know the dye is eliminated from your body after about 24 hours, your urine maybe green......mine wasn't....so I guess that is why you are having it the day before your surgery......If I can help in anyway, feel free to ask...the surgery wasn't much at all....no day at the beach, but not bad at all.....I feel fine!
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #6
    Akiss4me said:

    Wow...Shocker to me
    Oh no....I thought they mentioned something about injecting a dye into me during the surgery? Is there more than one way to find the sentenal node? I do have to go to nuclear but that is for PET scan. Maybe I should clarify this with Doc? Sorry you have to go though it kat....I'll check it out when I see my doc Tuesday.

    I have to go to the hospital
    I have to go to the hospital the day before the surgery to have this done. Something new to me, so I am a little nervous about this. I do remember the surgeon telling me about this,but I thought it would be the day of surgery and maybe I would be put in La La land first. Thats what I get for thinking.
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #7
    MAJW said:

    Nuclear Medicine
    I just had this done last week.......8 days ago.....mine was done just an hour before surgery.....I must say, it wasn't bad.....I guess every case is different and preformed by different techs........Before my 4 injections, Pain meds were put into my IV and then before EACH injection, they SPRAYED a numbing agent on the breast......the needle prick wasn't much at all.......The dye itself does burn.......for about 10 seconds (but it is tolerable, very much so, at least for me).....one barely at all....I even asked the tech if she was sure she had "enough dye" in that injection....she chuckled! I know the dye is eliminated from your body after about 24 hours, your urine maybe green......mine wasn't....so I guess that is why you are having it the day before your surgery......If I can help in anyway, feel free to ask...the surgery wasn't much at all....no day at the beach, but not bad at all.....I feel fine!

    Great discription!
    Thanks for the detailed input MAJW !! This info was just what I needed to hear. Gave me 3 more questions to ask my Doc. Poor guy.....questions already 2 pages long!! He'll feel like I am drilling him about a crime scene by the time I'm done!! Think he'll sign my Bear after that? :)
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #8
    Akiss4me said:

    Wow...Shocker to me
    Oh no....I thought they mentioned something about injecting a dye into me during the surgery? Is there more than one way to find the sentenal node? I do have to go to nuclear but that is for PET scan. Maybe I should clarify this with Doc? Sorry you have to go though it kat....I'll check it out when I see my doc Tuesday.

    PET SCAN
    Pet Scan is different from the dye injectins before surgery....WHILE BOTH do light up the nodes and breast interior.........with a PET the dye is simply injection into a vein in your arm.......wasn't painful at at all then your boob is placed in a "photo device" rather like a mammogram,your sitting down, but not the pressure......it then takes pictures....takes about 30-40 minutes.....the dye then shows "hot spots"......any hot spot that is shown is a cancer site.....as cancer cells react differently from normal breast cells.....The dye that is injected into the boob itself,before surgery lights up the nodes so the surgeon can locate them for removal and biopsy............Good luck and God Bless
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #9
    nuclear medicine
    Kat, like others here I had this done about an hour before surgery. They can't put you to sleep because the dye needs time to work before the start of your surgery. For me, they injected the dye into four places on my nipple. Two of them I didn't feel at all. The other two hurt, but were over in a second. I didn't experience much burning at all. I was nervous about this, but it was over before I knew it. The worst part was waiting for the doctor to come in and do the procedure. The nurse was making small talk with me that was kind of ridiculous: "did you have a good weekend? Oh, no, you probably didn't, huh?" and "I had a biopsy once. It was benign, thank god." Well, good for you, but I'm about to have my very first surgery and it's for breast cancer. Jeez.

    Anyway, you will be fine.

    Mimi
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #10
    Kat11 said:

    I have to go to the hospital
    I have to go to the hospital the day before the surgery to have this done. Something new to me, so I am a little nervous about this. I do remember the surgeon telling me about this,but I thought it would be the day of surgery and maybe I would be put in La La land first. Thats what I get for thinking.

    Solution....
    Put yourself in La La land......here, I'll do it with you. (But remember, the Lord said to "make a joyful noise", he didn't say it had to be in tune!!!) This is only practice for your big day....(tap, tap, tap...Mic on?) Here we go....LA LA LA...Rumpa Bum Bum...WOW, my cat just bolted out of the room!! Wonder what she was trying to tell me? Hang in there :) Pammy
  • bfbear
    bfbear Member Posts: 380
    #11
    mimivac said:

    nuclear medicine
    Kat, like others here I had this done about an hour before surgery. They can't put you to sleep because the dye needs time to work before the start of your surgery. For me, they injected the dye into four places on my nipple. Two of them I didn't feel at all. The other two hurt, but were over in a second. I didn't experience much burning at all. I was nervous about this, but it was over before I knew it. The worst part was waiting for the doctor to come in and do the procedure. The nurse was making small talk with me that was kind of ridiculous: "did you have a good weekend? Oh, no, you probably didn't, huh?" and "I had a biopsy once. It was benign, thank god." Well, good for you, but I'm about to have my very first surgery and it's for breast cancer. Jeez.

    Anyway, you will be fine.

    Mimi

    A different story...
    Hi all,

    At my medical center, they did the nuclear-injection thing to find the sentinel nodes radioactively AFTER I was under anesthesia. I guess I was lucky!

    Whatever the procedure, I know you'll do fine. Perhaps it's another opportunity to show your warrior side? (I'm not trying to make light of it...I just want to encourage you, OK?)

    I'll be thinking of you,
    Debi
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #12
    bfbear said:

    A different story...
    Hi all,

    At my medical center, they did the nuclear-injection thing to find the sentinel nodes radioactively AFTER I was under anesthesia. I guess I was lucky!

    Whatever the procedure, I know you'll do fine. Perhaps it's another opportunity to show your warrior side? (I'm not trying to make light of it...I just want to encourage you, OK?)

    I'll be thinking of you,
    Debi

    Mind still working!!
    This was the impression I was under originally, soooooo maybe there are different procedures at different hospitals or with different surgeons? I will make sure to double check. Dr. Thomas Jullian at the Breast Cancer Center in Aleghany General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa is who will be taking care of me. Since he is bringing me back for 2nd consult to put me at ease, maybe I can let my preference be known......KNOCK ME OUT FIRST!!! Modern science has spoiled me when it comes to toughing it out! :)
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #13
    Akiss4me said:

    Solution....
    Put yourself in La La land......here, I'll do it with you. (But remember, the Lord said to "make a joyful noise", he didn't say it had to be in tune!!!) This is only practice for your big day....(tap, tap, tap...Mic on?) Here we go....LA LA LA...Rumpa Bum Bum...WOW, my cat just bolted out of the room!! Wonder what she was trying to tell me? Hang in there :) Pammy

    Pammy
    If I do that LoL I will find myself in another part of the hospital.
  • Butterfly12
    Butterfly12 Member Posts: 56
    #14
    Akiss4me said:

    Mind still working!!
    This was the impression I was under originally, soooooo maybe there are different procedures at different hospitals or with different surgeons? I will make sure to double check. Dr. Thomas Jullian at the Breast Cancer Center in Aleghany General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa is who will be taking care of me. Since he is bringing me back for 2nd consult to put me at ease, maybe I can let my preference be known......KNOCK ME OUT FIRST!!! Modern science has spoiled me when it comes to toughing it out! :)

    Got mine going
    I have to have this done 1 day before my surgery too. All I know is that it is an injection of the lymph nodes. Let me know how it goes. Mine is June 10.

    Sherry
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #15
    Butterfly12 said:

    Got mine going
    I have to have this done 1 day before my surgery too. All I know is that it is an injection of the lymph nodes. Let me know how it goes. Mine is June 10.

    Sherry

    Sherry
    I will let you know. Most of the ladies had this done the day of surgery. Oh well May 2 I have to do this.
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #16
    Kat11 said:

    Sherry
    I will let you know. Most of the ladies had this done the day of surgery. Oh well May 2 I have to do this.

    Had er' done
    Yep, and I was soooo nervous.....and really for nothing. I thought it was going to be extremely painful, and it was over in a flash. My hubby held my hand, the tech/nurse was so gentle. Don't be too anxious about it. Everyone is different when it comes to discomfort. I don't like needles, but it was very do-able. tho I hope I never have to "do" it again! the injections were just under the skin. My silly mind thought they were going in deep into the duct or something. Aren't our minds silly and overactive sometimes???
    M
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #17
    GreeneyedGirl said:

    Had er' done
    Yep, and I was soooo nervous.....and really for nothing. I thought it was going to be extremely painful, and it was over in a flash. My hubby held my hand, the tech/nurse was so gentle. Don't be too anxious about it. Everyone is different when it comes to discomfort. I don't like needles, but it was very do-able. tho I hope I never have to "do" it again! the injections were just under the skin. My silly mind thought they were going in deep into the duct or something. Aren't our minds silly and overactive sometimes???
    M

    Nuclear stuff
    I had it on the day of surgery and never felt a thing. They injected right into the lump and all around the nipple but it didn't hurt at all. And this coming from the "Worlds' Greatest Coward" Must be good. LOL Hugs Jxxxxxxxxx
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #18
    mimivac said:

    nuclear medicine
    Kat, like others here I had this done about an hour before surgery. They can't put you to sleep because the dye needs time to work before the start of your surgery. For me, they injected the dye into four places on my nipple. Two of them I didn't feel at all. The other two hurt, but were over in a second. I didn't experience much burning at all. I was nervous about this, but it was over before I knew it. The worst part was waiting for the doctor to come in and do the procedure. The nurse was making small talk with me that was kind of ridiculous: "did you have a good weekend? Oh, no, you probably didn't, huh?" and "I had a biopsy once. It was benign, thank god." Well, good for you, but I'm about to have my very first surgery and it's for breast cancer. Jeez.

    Anyway, you will be fine.

    Mimi

    Geez indeed, Mimi
    That has to set some kind of all-time record for stupid. Even if she meant well, it must have been hard to resist rearranging her teeth.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #19
    Aortus said:

    Geez indeed, Mimi
    That has to set some kind of all-time record for stupid. Even if she meant well, it must have been hard to resist rearranging her teeth.

    Thank you all
    Ok, So I will try not to worry to much, but when your starting to do the count down of days left before surgery. Every little thing right now is attacking my whole being. Even this stupid dye injected test, or should I say another dye injected test. I think I have done well at keeping it all together, but, but, but this scares the H out of me,and it's after affect. Like another re run of being told your sick and a magic pill is not going to take it away. Worry I think thats my middle name right now. It fits the bill. Thanks for all the positive comments. I think I am just having a bad day. This to will pass.
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #20
    Kat, I had it done 3 hours
    Kat, I had it done 3 hours before my scheduled mastectomy. What they do, is take a radioactive liquid and inject it into the breast in different areas. What is a little uncomfortable, is that they have to use the same needle. I got "pinched" in 4 different spots, waited for about 2 hours, then they put me into an open MRI machine to make sure the hot spots were lit up so that the surgeon would remove the lymph nodes that were "hot". It doesn't necessarily mean that there is cancer in the lymph nodes because I had 7 removed and thankfully they were all clean. It's a little uncomfortable but was much more doable then the biopsy itself. You'll be fine. Hugs, Lili
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #21
    Kat, I just want to wish you
    Kat, I just want to wish you good luck hon. The ladies here have posted a lot of helpful info for you. I didn't have any nodes removed this time, so, I can't tell you anything about it. Just know that we are all with you and praying for you. Take care Kat!

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