Hi Spillsy. I had the sentinel node biopsy injection at 0730 at one hospital, then the hookwire placement a few hours later at another, the one where I was having the lumpectomy (or wide local excision as my surgeon called it).
The injection into my nipple stung a lot, but some women have very little pain. As with all things BC, we're all different.
For the hookwire procedure I was given a numbing injection. My tumour was not palpable as it was so deep. There was a lot of poking about trying to guide the wire into position which was quite uncomfortable. It was done using ultrasound and after I winced they gave another injection and it was fine.
The hookwire was taped to my skin to hold it in place and I was instructed not to move too much or too suddenly so as not to move it. Then it was up to my bed to wait for surgery.
My surgery was 2 hours 40 minutes long. My surgeon said it was a bit longer than usual because the tumour was so deep and he had to dig around in my chest wall a bit.
The pain afterwards was bearable and well controlled with the drugs. Ice packs for a few days were a great help. I had some weird sensations in my shoulder blade region for a few weeks due to nerves being cut due to the faffing about in my armpit region. My lumpectomy incision was right over that side as well because of the position and depth of the tumour.
I'd say give yourself two weeks off. Do the exercises they give you. If you don't get given a sheet of instructions for them, ask. You should be given the free Berlei bra. It's ugly as sin but it did the job fine for me. Depending on how you recover from general anaesthetics and how much pain you're in, you could start driving anywhere between three days to a week after the op, but check with your surgeon what the recommended time is.
Importantly, and I'm sure you already know this, give your brain and emotions a chance to recover as well! BC is a big mind f**k. This is a different kettle of fish from chemo, but it's still a pot on the stove!
Oh and if you have one of those sticks with a claw thingy on the end to pick things up with, have it on hand! I found bending over most painful for several weeks after... There was a lot of boob clutching going on!!
Best of luck, K xox
