Sentinel Node Dye Injection

aisling8
aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello,

Lumpectomy surgery is tomorrow, but the sentinel node injection and locating was this afternoon. I've been nervous about will it or won't it hurt and I just want to put my two cents' worth in: the injection didn't hurt at all. I'm glad since I'd walked to the hospital and had to haul myself back home:) Hope this reassures anyone who might be nervous as I was.

Victoria
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Comments

  • jbug
    jbug Member Posts: 285
    #2
    Glad you're experience
    Glad you're experience wasn't bad...i'm sure it will be reassuring. Will be praying for you as you go for your lumpectomy tomorrow...let us know how you do.

    God Bless...
    Julie
  • Skeezie
    Skeezie Member Posts: 586 Member
    #3
    jbug said:

    Glad you're experience
    Glad you're experience wasn't bad...i'm sure it will be reassuring. Will be praying for you as you go for your lumpectomy tomorrow...let us know how you do.

    God Bless...
    Julie

    Hi Victoria,
    Glad the dye didn't hurt..Are they removing the Sentinel Node tomorrow during the lumpectomy? I will be thiking about you tomorrow and want to assure you that a lumpectomy is not at all bad.

    Keep us posted.

    Hugs, Judy :-)
  • bjmom1
    bjmom1 Member Posts: 152
    #4
    wishing u good luck
    Hi Victoria, Good luck on your surgery. I,m happy that the node injection didn't hurt.

    Will have you in my prayer.
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #5
    Victoria
    Glad to hear it didn't hurt you!

    I had mine done the same day as my lumpectomy. It stung a bit, but didn't really bother me that much. Since it was just before my surgery, I was more worried about the surgery and what the results of the lymph node biopsy would be than about the dye injection itself.

    I remember them telling me that if they found anything in the sentinel node, they would have to take more nodes out, and I would wake up with a drain. If they sentinel node was clear, I'd have no drain. The first thing I did when I regained conciousness after my surgery was to feel for a drain. When I found nothing, I was very relieved. The worst part for me was the nausea I felt from coming out from the anesthesia, but it subsided pretty quickly and I went home within a couple of hours after my surgery. I needed very little of the pain meds they gave me and was down to taking only an occasional Tylenol by two days after my surgery.

    I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping your results were at least as good as mine were.

    Please keep us posted when you can about how you're doing.

    (((Hugz)))
    Cindy
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #6
    Best wishes...
    To you, Victoria. With hopes that your surgery tomorrow will go well, and that recovery afterwards will be speedy.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #7
    Victoria, just wanted to
    Victoria, just wanted to send my wishes for a successful surgery today and a quick recovery. Let us know, when you can, how you are doing. Take care.
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #8
    anxious about the sentinel node injection
    I am scheduled for a lumpectomy next Wed and the sentinal node injection next Tuesday. I spoke with one of the volunteers at the breast center who told me that the procedure was very painful. I am so glad to hear that most comments here do not describe it to be so bad. I was beginning to dread the injection more than the surgery.
    K
  • tally
    tally Member Posts: 48
    #9
    KayNYC said:

    anxious about the sentinel node injection
    I am scheduled for a lumpectomy next Wed and the sentinal node injection next Tuesday. I spoke with one of the volunteers at the breast center who told me that the procedure was very painful. I am so glad to hear that most comments here do not describe it to be so bad. I was beginning to dread the injection more than the surgery.
    K

    Sentinel node biopsy
    I had also heard horror stories but I had it done before my lumpectomy on 2/25 and I can tell you I didn't feel a thing. The radiologist said it might sting a little and if it did I could rub it and it would not hurt anything to do so. But I did not have a problem with it. As for the lumpectomy, it was not bad at all. I had to have 3 lymph nodes removed and that was painful about the second day but I didn't have the drains. I had never had surgery before so I was pretty scared. But I can honestly tell you it wasn't bad at all. Good luck and I will be praying for you.
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #10
    tally said:

    Sentinel node biopsy
    I had also heard horror stories but I had it done before my lumpectomy on 2/25 and I can tell you I didn't feel a thing. The radiologist said it might sting a little and if it did I could rub it and it would not hurt anything to do so. But I did not have a problem with it. As for the lumpectomy, it was not bad at all. I had to have 3 lymph nodes removed and that was painful about the second day but I didn't have the drains. I had never had surgery before so I was pretty scared. But I can honestly tell you it wasn't bad at all. Good luck and I will be praying for you.

    thanks for the reassuring words
    Thank you Tally. Everything seems to be happening so fast. I am now working on paperwork for a two week medical leave from my work. My surgeon said that 1-2 weeks was what most people needed before returning to work. I work in the same hospital as the cancer center so I will be close by and follow ups and rads will be conveniently located to work and home.
  • sunny_girl
    sunny_girl Member Posts: 33
    #11
    Just curious
    I seem to have had a different procedure... I got the wire locators and a radioactive tracer injected in the morning. It wasn't really painful, although I'd taken a Vicodin before the wire location (thankfully), so I wasn't feeling too much. I waited an hour and then the radiologist scanned me lying in a big machine to find the node. Unfortunately, the tracer didn't work. An hour later, during my surgery, my surgeon injected the dye and found it that way. Anyone else have that?
  • youngnana
    youngnana Member Posts: 41
    #12
    sunny_girl said:

    Just curious
    I seem to have had a different procedure... I got the wire locators and a radioactive tracer injected in the morning. It wasn't really painful, although I'd taken a Vicodin before the wire location (thankfully), so I wasn't feeling too much. I waited an hour and then the radiologist scanned me lying in a big machine to find the node. Unfortunately, the tracer didn't work. An hour later, during my surgery, my surgeon injected the dye and found it that way. Anyone else have that?

    I was curious about the same thing. I declined a needle biopsy and requested they remove the lump for biopsy, and had the needle locate. I had a local, very little pain. They had a hard time with the needle locate, so I was glad for the local. During the surgery, the area located by the needle was removed, but the surgeon didnt feel it was the correct area, so searched by feel, and found the lump, which was determined to be stage 1 ductal carcinoma. I am so thankful that she searched. I decided a double mastectomy is the right choice for me, and have been worried about the dye injection since the nipple is so sentative. I think it'll be ok, I am scheduled for this coming Tuesday. I just want it to be done. The unknown about the sentinal node is weighing on my mind. Thanks to all.
  • youngnana
    youngnana Member Posts: 41
    #13
    youngnana said:

    I was curious about the same thing. I declined a needle biopsy and requested they remove the lump for biopsy, and had the needle locate. I had a local, very little pain. They had a hard time with the needle locate, so I was glad for the local. During the surgery, the area located by the needle was removed, but the surgeon didnt feel it was the correct area, so searched by feel, and found the lump, which was determined to be stage 1 ductal carcinoma. I am so thankful that she searched. I decided a double mastectomy is the right choice for me, and have been worried about the dye injection since the nipple is so sentative. I think it'll be ok, I am scheduled for this coming Tuesday. I just want it to be done. The unknown about the sentinal node is weighing on my mind. Thanks to all.

    Together on Tuesday
    I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday, knowing you are right there with me....Wishing you blessings, and all the best.
  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
    #14
    youngnana said:

    Together on Tuesday
    I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday, knowing you are right there with me....Wishing you blessings, and all the best.

    KayNYC
    I wrote you a long reply under the "book recommendations" thread. I hope you read it. Please don't be scared. None of this hurt. It just didn't.

    Good luck,
    Victoria
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #15
    aisling8 said:

    KayNYC
    I wrote you a long reply under the "book recommendations" thread. I hope you read it. Please don't be scared. None of this hurt. It just didn't.

    Good luck,
    Victoria

    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?
  • ms_independent
    ms_independent Member Posts: 214
    #16
    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?

    what I was told
    I heard this from a breast surgeon...apparently the "dye" can/should be mixed with lidocaine and given slowly so the numbing starts working before much is injected. It is extremely painful if not mixed with a numbing agent. My sister had the same reaction that you had "worse than her c-section and natural birth combined" said she literally screamed as it was injected. And she has the highest pain tolerance of anyone I have ever met. My injections were no picnic either. Very painful. They said that the stuff was mixed with lidocaine so it wouldn't hurt---NOT! Anyway, lidocaine didn't work well for any of my biopsies so I guess it's no surprise it didn't work with the sentinal node injections.
    It's terrible that your radiologist didn't do what he could to make it easier for you. I bet if he had to inject his privates with that stuff he would do a little research and make it easier on himself. The definition of malpractice is to do or not do something that your professional peers do (or don't do). That sort of sounds like what happened to you.
    So,sorry you had to go through that and that it haunts you.
    Hugs, El
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #17
    ms_independent said:

    what I was told
    I heard this from a breast surgeon...apparently the "dye" can/should be mixed with lidocaine and given slowly so the numbing starts working before much is injected. It is extremely painful if not mixed with a numbing agent. My sister had the same reaction that you had "worse than her c-section and natural birth combined" said she literally screamed as it was injected. And she has the highest pain tolerance of anyone I have ever met. My injections were no picnic either. Very painful. They said that the stuff was mixed with lidocaine so it wouldn't hurt---NOT! Anyway, lidocaine didn't work well for any of my biopsies so I guess it's no surprise it didn't work with the sentinal node injections.
    It's terrible that your radiologist didn't do what he could to make it easier for you. I bet if he had to inject his privates with that stuff he would do a little research and make it easier on himself. The definition of malpractice is to do or not do something that your professional peers do (or don't do). That sort of sounds like what happened to you.
    So,sorry you had to go through that and that it haunts you.
    Hugs, El

    I thought the same as you....
    I would have loved to inject him in his privates at that moment. Anyways at least I had the process changed at that hospital. I complained enough that they made it part of their procedure to numb the area before the inject the dye.
  • svillalobos01
    svillalobos01 Member Posts: 15
    #18
    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?

    WORST PAIN EVER!
    Yes, so far, after a bilateral mastectomy, breasts and nipples reconstruction and chemo, this is the worst procedure I have had to put up with. It is so fast though you can not even explain it. They put some numbing cream around my nipple but i don't think that thing did a bit for me, when the dye was going through my body, it hurt like hell! Anyway, it's over and now I am so happy that my life is starting to be back to normal again. Good luck to all of you out there. As many other commented, it may not hurt all the time it is done, it might have to do with who does it.
  • ms_independent
    ms_independent Member Posts: 214
    #19
    Mama G said:

    I thought the same as you....
    I would have loved to inject him in his privates at that moment. Anyways at least I had the process changed at that hospital. I complained enough that they made it part of their procedure to numb the area before the inject the dye.

    You go girl!
    I just love that you got the process changed! I've worked in hospitals and know how difficult it is to change anything!
    El
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    #20
    svillalobos01 said:

    WORST PAIN EVER!
    Yes, so far, after a bilateral mastectomy, breasts and nipples reconstruction and chemo, this is the worst procedure I have had to put up with. It is so fast though you can not even explain it. They put some numbing cream around my nipple but i don't think that thing did a bit for me, when the dye was going through my body, it hurt like hell! Anyway, it's over and now I am so happy that my life is starting to be back to normal again. Good luck to all of you out there. As many other commented, it may not hurt all the time it is done, it might have to do with who does it.

    I also thought the injection
    I also thought the injection was painful. I got through it as we all do, but have to admit it was the only procedure that brought tears to my eyes. I'm glad everyone does not have the same experience. I guess I was surprised also as my doc had gottem me through everything up to that point with very little discomfort and has since. I still don't want to scare anyone and, kudos to you gals who spoke up!!!! I didn't have anyone tell me it might be painful, so I wasn't at all prepared. Maybe that was the problem.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #21
    GayleMc said:

    I also thought the injection
    I also thought the injection was painful. I got through it as we all do, but have to admit it was the only procedure that brought tears to my eyes. I'm glad everyone does not have the same experience. I guess I was surprised also as my doc had gottem me through everything up to that point with very little discomfort and has since. I still don't want to scare anyone and, kudos to you gals who spoke up!!!! I didn't have anyone tell me it might be painful, so I wasn't at all prepared. Maybe that was the problem.

    Injection
    The doctor who did my shots said that some may hurt and some not. He was right. Two of them felt like nothing and two hurt like hell. Very strange. I don't know what kind of numbing agent was given. So sorry for those who had pain. I completely understand.

    Mimi

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