Sentinel Node Dye Injection

Mama G said:

I don't get it....
Did you have a numbing shot first? Mine was the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life, and that includes 4 llloonnnggg and natural childbirths. I had nightmares about it for weeks. I can still cry when I think about that horrendous pain I had to endure!!!
Somebody explain, please! The man that injected me told me it would be the most pain I've ever had in my life and he was right, so I know it's not just me. NO numbing at all. 4 horrible injections around my nipple. What the heck?

NAN033 said:

Injections
I agree with Mama G It was worse than natural child birth. But its Done now! Praying never to do that again !!! Thinking Arimidex for 5 years now.

KayNYC said:

I had the radioactive tracer injection today
It was painful but thankfully, it didn't last long.They explained that the lidocaine would require more injections and not be effective. I wish I had taken an analgesic before I left for the hospital. Thank God for that sweet tech who offered her hand to be squeezed if I need to and I did. She was so sweet and compassionate. Unfortunately, there was trouble locating the sentinel node and it took close to a half hour of massaging to get three of the four films showing the node. It seems my test was scheduled for change of shift and I was left alone after the sweet tech left, waiting for someone to do the markings while I lay flat on my back with the camera hanging over me so I couldn't move. I really had to close my eyes and use imagery to cope with the discomfort of being in such a ackward position and alone for such a long time. I am so glad it is over. Surgery is scheduled for 9:15 tomorrow and 7:15 AM for placement of the locator wire etc.Thank you for all the good information and suggestions from those that have gone through this experience before me.
K

aisling8 said:

It must be
two different things that we're talking about. It doesn't matter. I'm so sorry to read about some of your worst pain imaginables. And you go, MamaG, changing hospital policy. Good on you.

KayNYC, I'll be home tomorrow morning thinking about you. I'm almost afraid to say it, but the wire locator thing didn't hurt either. Nor did the lumpectomy. And even if we have two different experiences, still doesn't matter cause you know why?? It will be OVER WITH.

My best wishes for as easy a day possible,

Victoria

KayNYC said:

wire insertion and lumpectomy
I agree that neither were bad experiences. I only needed one Vicodan last night at bedtime. My surgery was completed by noon yesterday. They excised 4 nodes but the path done in OR came out clean. Now waiting final path results and follow up with surgeon. She will be referring me to Medical Oncologist.
K

Beedie said:

Breast Cancer Lympectomy/ Sentinal Node Injection

I was diagnosed with breast cancer/ invasive breast cancer.  I am having surgery on 5/12  I am a little nervous I want it to be over.

On Thursday,, I have the sentinal node injection and I am really nervous about that.  I know it is necessary, so I will deal with it.

I will have a lympectomy - I have a tumor behind the nipple so the surgery is removing the nipple.  I am very glad we have this service.

After my biopsy I had to wear a bra for a week and it was red and blue for 2 weeks.  Nothing could be worse than that.  I think.

i hope that all goes well for you. My lumpectomy/ sentinel node excision is this Wednesday and I am trying to prepare my house for when I come home. I have no idea how long the reocvery will be. Good luck to you! Prayers for strength for both of us! 

Kats2 said:

Sentinel node biopsy + lumpectomy.

Hi,

I had the wire locator put into my breast before my lumpectomy in 2012. Dye was inserted around the tumor area. I was given  some sort of pain killer pill to put under my tongue before they did the injections. 4 of the injections were bearable. The Radiologist said that the 5th one would feel like a bee sting and would be the most painful. He was right, but I made it through without awful pain.

After the sentinel node biopsy and lumpectomy, I went home and ate a big meal because I was starving! It was about 9 at night. I went right to bed afterwards and slept soundly without any terrible pain. Only days later I could feel the slushing sound in the affected breast of fluid that had collected there. After about a week it went away.

I can honestly say that the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy wasn't bad at all. I think it depends what meds you're given beforehand to  keep you relatively comfortable. By the way, the sentinel node consists of more than 1 node. I had 7 nodes within the sentinel node removed and analyzed in the lab.

Take care everyone!    Kats2

 

 

It sounds like you were up and back to your normal routine pretty quikcly. I can do this.

I am glad that things went so well for you HapB!!  I met with my Breast Surgeon earlier this week for a follow up, and I asked her why I was still having some pain from the lumpectomy.  She told me that mine was more complicated because the tumor had invaded the main nerve, and the pain that I still feel is the nerve growing back.  I had no idea!  I am so glad that your surgery went well!  I guess it goes to show you that everything really is different for each of us!!

I think that you should call the number that they give you for an problems that arise.  That sounds painful!  I wish that I could help, but my dressing was different.  I did not have gauze, I had a very tight compression bandage that I could not remove for 48 hours.  After that I was allowed to take it off only to shower for a week.  At the end of the week I graduated to a sports bra.

I am sorry, that does not sound good.  Hopefully you can reach somebody tomorrow.