Forum Discussion

Catscrapcats's avatar
10 years ago

Post Surgery

I am now 2 days post surgery from a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy. I had to have the radioactive tracer done pre surgery, the day before. It consisted of 4 injections that were like bee stings except for the last one that was put in where the core biopsy had been done and hurt a bit more. Then it was massage firmly for 5 mins and wait an hour to take pictures and mark the skin with texta. Frustrating thing was all that pain and anxiety to find the surgeon had to inject the blue dye during surgery anyway cause the radioactive gear wasn't pinging enough. The surgery went technically ok and now I wait for the results next week. I was surprised at the pain when I woke up because the surgeon had said he would use a long acting local. Guess we all react differently. Good old endone sorted the pain and me! Nurses were wonderful and the breast care nurse came and fitted me up before surgery and hads heaps of useful information. Now we play the waiting game, sleep and heal.

8 Replies

  • Hi Jackieak, Glad to hear you are feeling normal again. I'm guessing there will be days along this journey we won't feel normal and that's ok too. My family keep laughing when I ask certain questions cause I must have asked the same thing when still under the effects of the anesthetic! I am glad I only have a week from surgery to results wait so I will know if it's only radiotherapy for 6 weeks in about 4 weeks time. It's all a waiting game. All the best with your recovery. 

  • It is that fear of the unknown, isn't it? Thank you, again.

     

  • Hi Catscrapcats.  I had my surgery on Thursday 3rd.  I too had the four injections of radioactive tracer done pre surgery.  I found them the most painful part of the whole procedure.  They really stung as the acid was released.  I have had no pain post op but really found I suffered from the general anesthetic.  It is only today I feel like my normal self again.  I go back in 2 weeks for the results and then begin radiotherapy in about a months time.  It is a real journey but one that I believe will be a healthy outcome.  I do hope yours is too.

  • Hi, hope yours goes well. Think the worst part is not knowing what to expect as I didn't. Also if someone tells you it will hurt a little, it's a pleasant surprise when it's not more than a prick. Probably no worse than the local given for the biopsy.Good luck with everything.

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous

    Here's hoping that the results of your biopsy go well for you. Rest up, and take good care of yourself. Sending you a big cuddle, Trace ??????

  • Hi, I also had this done and suffered no ill effects or pain during or afterwards. Everyone is different and I hope your experience is more like mine. It's very scary going through these things and helpful when you hear some differing opinions, let's you know that each one is individual. Good luck hun

  • Thanks for that description. I'm having surgery at the end of October. I know I'm node positive, but my surgeon said at my last appt that I would be having dye injected the day before, to help localise the tumour for the lumpectomy. You description gave me more of an idea of what to expect

    Thanks, Lyn