lumpectomy next Tuesday

dash4 said:

Laurissa and GrandmasueB
I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy 2/16. It was so much better than what I anticipated. I agree the dye getting injected is just like a bee sting. Then I had a local to insert a wire to guide my surgeon to the tumor...not bad either. After that, they were explaining to me what to expect and 2 seconds later they were waking me up. I did need pain pills for a few days, but again, not at all the pain I expected. I have been getting back my range of motion with my arm and still waiting for the steri-strips I have to fall off. I am sure the experience differs with the number of nodes removed and the size of your tumor. The hardest part for me was not having my husband by my side -I lost him 9/25 to cancer. I hope you have a loved one to support you and you will both be fine.
Keeping you in my prayers,
Mary Kay

Thank you so much for the
Thank you so much for the information, If it turns out like the wire I had inserted I will be glad. That was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I am praying for negitive nodes tomorrow.

roseann4 said:

I'm confused.
Hi Laurissa,

They did my sentinel node biopsy after they put me out during my lumpectomy surgery. I never felt a thing! I guess every situation is different.

Roseamm

They inject the radioactive markers before the biopsy
The injections of radioactive markers (I had four, in a circle around the site of my tumor) do sting. The radiologist said there's nothing in the injection that stings on its own, it's just that breast tissue doesn't like being stretched. I won't lie...it hurt like hell for about 15 seconds per injection :-) The doctor took a minute's break after the first two to let me catch my breath. About half an hour after the injections, I was back in radiology for the scan to get a preliminary location on the sentinel node.

The blue dye was injected during surgery. It's kinda fun for a day or so afterwards, seeing your urine in a bright blue. The blue dye pinpoints the sentinel node for the surgeon, which is removed while you're in dreamland.

I have two incision sites, each about 2 inches long. Surgery was "no problemo."

Cairmaid said:

They inject the radioactive markers before the biopsy
The injections of radioactive markers (I had four, in a circle around the site of my tumor) do sting. The radiologist said there's nothing in the injection that stings on its own, it's just that breast tissue doesn't like being stretched. I won't lie...it hurt like hell for about 15 seconds per injection :-) The doctor took a minute's break after the first two to let me catch my breath. About half an hour after the injections, I was back in radiology for the scan to get a preliminary location on the sentinel node.

The blue dye was injected during surgery. It's kinda fun for a day or so afterwards, seeing your urine in a bright blue. The blue dye pinpoints the sentinel node for the surgeon, which is removed while you're in dreamland.

I have two incision sites, each about 2 inches long. Surgery was "no problemo."

Afterwards
Well the lumpmectomy is over, the injection was a breeze They removed two nodes which the sential node had cancer and now testing the other. Chemo is suppose to be in 3 weeks which I am scared to death and I can not stand the thought of losing my hair. I have to wait for the results to see if I get a clear margin on the tissue if its not then I have to deal with the breast being remove. I was wondering if anyone knows if you do chemo first before they remove the breat.