Forum Discussion
Blue dye injection -Please share your experience
Hello all. I am scheduled for my surgery, but before then I need to have a blue dye injection, just a day before. I was wondering if someone can share their experiences with this procedure as I am a...
Hi MazaDj
I had my surgery four weeks ago and I’m not sure if all facilities or procedures are the same so this is just my experience.
Before I start, please be assured that the ladies who will be looking after you are marvellous and will explain the whole procedure to you before they do anything. If you tell them upfront that you are really anxious about the procedure, they will ensure that you’re comfortable with every step they take.
I had my scan at an Imaging clinic before the surgery too. They showed me to a curtained cubicle and asked me to remove my top and bra and put on a gown with the opening at the front. Make sure that you don’t have any metal on your pants eg. zipper, or you might need to remove them too. I was then taken into a room where the scanner was and I was asked to lay down on the bed. Before you do any of this, I suggest you ask them to show you all around the machine so you are familiar with it all. The nurse injected a very small amount of the dye into my breast close to where the cancer was located. It was just a small needle and there was a bit of a sting but I didn’t look. I’m not fond of needles either. 🫣
They then explained to me that the machine would move the bed into the scanner, feet first but my head was not inside which I was glad of because I can get a bit claustrophobic. The nurse then explained that the scanner would be scanning my breast area so that they could watch the dye travel from the cancer site up to the sentinel lymph nodes in your armpit. For me, it took about ten to fifteen minutes for the dye to travel to the lymph nodes and they marked the area in my armpit with a texta of some sort to indicate to the surgeon where the relevant sentinel nodes were. I think the surgeon would have also used the scan images showing the dye in the sentinel lymph nodes..
l found a graphic online of the sort of scanner at the clinic I went to, and as you can see, the head does not go into the scanner tunnel.
I really hope I haven’t freaked you out further but if you’re like me, I need to know all the details beforehand and I think you’ll find it much easier than it sounds.
Wishing you all the best with your surgery and a speedy recovery. xoxo
Hi SYLV1E thank you for your message. How did you surgery go? I hope everything went well and you are on the mend.
I was told my injection will be done in the aerola, close to the nipple and I am absolutely freaking out!!! During my Magseed procedure yesterday nurses called over one of the staff members from the department where those injections are performed. While the chat with her was very helpful I am still very anxious especially since I know the injection site 😭😭😭
Oh yes, machines freak me out as well, MRI mainly, just can't deal with it, but I'm glad you told me the head doesn't going inside this machine. However it still looks tight? 😑
I am trying hard to be brave but it is so difficult.
Thank you again for your reply.
I pray all of us come out of this healthier and stronger 🙏
HiMazaDj
My surgery went really well and my recovery has been reasonably easy but then, I only had a lumpectomy.
I don’t blame you for being nervous about the injection site, I would be too. After all, that’s a very sensitive area but I’m sure it will be over before you know it. Mine was 2cm from the nipple but it was still a bit scary. If you are anything like me, you will be only concentrating on that next step so I think that’s why we hyperfocus on that procedure to the point that we can become overwhelmed. I really depended on the wonderful support on here to help me to understand what to expect.
You’ve got this! You are stronger than you realise! 💕