Any one have a out patient lumpectomy surger?

Hindsfeet

Has anyone had a out patient, lumpectomy?

Thursday I'm going into surgery at 12:30.

They are removing a mass of 2.5 c, high grade - como type. At this point the doctor is not sure if it is invasive. I would appreciate it if anyone could tell me how your one day lumpectomy went. I'm not for sure what to expect? How much pain will I be in? What was your experience?

I would appreciate your prayers. Thanks, Barry...my husbands name.

iodine

Hi Barry, I didn't have one but I know the recovery is really quick.  You should be doing well by over the weekend and all lumps are done outpatient.  At least all I've heard of.

Are you having a sentinal node biopsy, too?  This is the thing that winds up hurting since we have more active nerves under our arms and the breast has fewer nerves.

Little-G

Yes, I had an out patient lumpectomy.  I had to go in twice, as they did not get clean margins, and I was dx with ILC.   It went OK I guess.  I was in pain at home, but happy to be home and not in the hospital!!!  I was up and out of my house 3 days later.  So, that part went OK.  I will be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way.  Let us know how you do OK?

g

Hindsfeet

Yes, I am having two sentinal node biopsy. Question, will I know if I have clean margins that day or a week later when I meet with the surgeon? If not will I have to go in for another surgery? Thanks

sherryw

Barry

I had a lumpectomy as an out-patient.  I had very little pain in my breast.  I also had an axillary node dissection at the same time and that was where I had most of my pain.  It was much more than I expected.  If you are only having a lumpectomy and a snb  you should have a pretty quick recovery.

sherryw

barry

I didn't know if I had clear margins for about a week after surgery.

Beesie

I've had 3 excisional biopsies as day surgery; this is the same surgery as a lumpectomy.  The last one took two very large amounts of tissue from my breast, more than many lumpectomies; my breast was certainly sore afterwards but it really wasn't bad.  I had prescription pain killers but only needed to take a few and I think only on the first day or two. 

I've had an SNB, but that was part of a later surgery - a mastectomy. As the others have said, that will be the more painful surgery and the more difficult recovery.  You may feel numbness in your underarm area and upper arm for quite some time.  And I had the occasional shooting pains, which fortunately only lasted a couple of seconds. 

Plan to do nothing on the day of surgery.  When you get home, curl up in front of the t.v. or with a book, or snooze.  And eat gentle foods like soup and crackers - the pain drugs or anaethesia can sometimes do a number on your stomach.  After that, don't plan any major activities for about 48 hours.  You may be feeling fine by the next day, but your body will still be recovering from the surgery.  And because of the SNB, you will have to be careful with your arm movements for a while. 

As for getting the results, you may get some information about the SNB and the margins after the surgery but these will be preliminary results only based on a quick look at the sample.  The lab will need more time to get the final report done.  They will need to put very finely sliced samples of the tissue under a microscope to know for sure what's in there, or hopefully, not in there. 

Three suggestions:

• When you go in for the surgery, ask about the process and timing to get the results.  Each facility is different so it's best if you know how your facility operates.  Some will call with results, some require that you call, some will only give the results to your doctor and your doctor will call you, or you may need to call the doctor.  And timing to get results varies a lot.  Some labs have the results within a couple of days, some take a week or more.  There's no point in worrying after a couple of days if your lab is one that happens to take longer. 
• I know your surgery is tomorrow, but see if you can get your pain prescription from the doctor today.  Or else, maybe you can get it when you check into the hospital tomorrow and your husband can get it filled while you are in surgery.  The last thing you need is to have to wait for a pharmacy to fill a prescription when you're feeling woozy and sore after surgery.   
• Wear something that's loose and easy to get on.  Nothing that goes over the head, since you'll probably have limited arm mobility after the SNB.  Something like a bulky hoodie that zips up the front would be perfect, or else, something that buttons up the front.

Good luck tomorrow.  Please let us know how it goes.

lvtwoqlt

I have had 2 lump as outpatient and Beesie has given good suggestions. I also suggest having ice packs on hand to help with the swelling.

Sheila

Anonymous

I also have had to same day lumpectomies....I agree with the other ladies, the snb is what was the more painful of the two....and as Sheila says, have plenty of ice packs...

My daughter bought me those re-freezable gel filled ones and they worked wonderfully as they are softer and comfort to the area better.

I will keep you in my thoughts, please let us know how you are doing.

Jule

shokk

I had day surgery for my lumpectomy.......my orginal mass was 7 cm......slightly smaller than a golf ball............I had chemo first....the tumor shrunk so small that before my third chemo they went in and tagged the tumor so they wouldn't lose it............anyway went in the hospital at 7 in the morning for them to first do the wire insertion to guide the doctor on where the tumor was...........that doctor (whom I loved) accidently nicked a blood vessel next to the tumor (was less then 1 cm at this time) and they could not get me to stop bleeding so I ended up in there until 10:30 (was only to take about 30 minutes) surgery was set for 11:00.......anyway doc got me at about 11:15 got anethesia (not completely knocked out) just what he calls sleepy juice.........started the extraction at 11:30 and I was in recovery at 12:15 and feeling freaking great...............was released at 1 pm and took my oldest daughter college dorm shopping at Target ........don't really remember too much about shopping because I was just kinda of floating around the store but I think my daughter ended up with a bunch of stuff that under normal circumstances I would never have bought her....................anyway had some slight discomfort once the sleepy juice wore off but he of course had given me some pain medication which I only took for two days and then switched to Advil..............of every thing I had to go through(chemo, surgery, and radiation surgery was the easiest.......good luck......Shook

Kathy_K

I really only remember not liking speed bumps and potholes for about a week after mine.  My doctor had me wear a good sports bra for a week or two after the lumpectomy.  Bouncing - not good!

Good Luck!

dlsuniversal

I had a lumpectomy and SNB in January '07.  The sentinel node biopsy was the worst part.  My bc surgeon said she removed a record (for her) 20+ sentinel nodes.  On top of that, I did not have clear margins and had a 2nd lumpectomy 2 weeks later.  The lumpectomy was not bad.  The numbness and pain from the SNB was much worse.  The nurses gave me in a very stretchy "tube top" that helped alot with the pain and kept everything "together".  They also gave me a small pillow to use under my arm.  I used this for quite awhile after the surgery, especially at night and it helped immensely. 

ilenee

I had both outpatient lumpectomy and the SNB. The sentinel node is much worse.They only took 1 node. I just had the surgery on Dec 11 and I am still pretty sore. During the SNB the surgeon went into the lumpectomy incision and made the margin clear. That incision does not bother me at all but the underarm one still does. It real tender.

My node came back negative.

joteach

I had an outpatient lumpectomy and SNB on December 13. It wasn't so bad since I was completely out during the surgery. I also have to agree that there is more pain with the SNB. ( My nodes were negative!). It is still a little sore and tender. I didn't like the pain meds and switched to advil. The worst part is I'm supposed to wear a bra for 2 weeks ! This is so uncomfortable at night. An extra pillow under my arm helps. I saw my surgeon for post op and she said I had clear margins! Hurray!

PSK07

I had day surgery - in early for the wire placement & then surgery around 3. got home around 7. They had me wrapped up in a big ol' ace bandage (over all the sutures/steristrips). That stayed on for 3 days or so.

My surgery was on a Tuesday. My surgeon called on Friday evening with the initial path report.  I had the full report a week after surgery.

Take pain pills like they tell you to. No time to be brave!

Good luck and take care.

Hindsfeet

Thank you for all your comments.

Because of what you shared I won't be surprised by the pain of the SNB, although I dread having underarm pain.  I will be thrilled if the nodes are negative.

Tonight is the first time I'm actually feeling a little anxious. The idea of possibly finding more scarces me. Up to now it has been surrealistic.  Physically I feel well, but knowing there is a time bomb in me is weird. It is hard to wrap my mind around all this. My mind has been filled with questions, questions and more questions.

I don't want tomorrow to happen and I do. I want to get rid of the cancer, and move on. I feel frozen in time while waiting for the outcome. Three weeks ago I knew nothing about breast cancer, and now I have learned more than I ever thought. I had no idea of the different grades or stages. I am fearful of being chopped, fried and poisoned.

I appreciate your encouragement, especially tonight.

I have to be at the hospital tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. Surgery at 12:30. Once home reality will finally set in.

You're all great. I respect your strength. God Bless,

 I'll let you know how I survived the knife. Barry

iodine

Hi, just a suggestion for all those questions running thru your head.  Begin writing them down, it helps to get them out of your head and then you can use the list when you go to the doc.

Hindsfeet

Ladies,

           Thanks again for your suggestions, prayers and thoughts.

I was pleasantly surprised to how easily the day went. The insertion of the two wires were painful and a needle through the nipple was a surprise. The hospital staff were gentle, patient, and kind. They asked me what my favorite music was. I said classical. As I  was rolled in the operation room I was welcome with  classical music, which made the whole ordeal feel like a adventure.

The hospital gave me a gift bag with a journal, pen, date book, breast cancer book, candies and more... also two home made pillows, one for the seat belt, and the other a long narrow pillow.

       I was relieved to find that the initial sm nodes were negative. The doctor later said they took out about 2 inch circle. I won't know the report until next week. I'm not going to worry about it, I'm going to enjoy Christmas, my family and finish a book I'm writing.

I have my pain medicine, and I am a little flaky. Soreness in upper part of my breast and chest.

      Thanks again for preparing me for today. It really did help.

Have a wonderful Christmas.

     

Beesie

Thank you for checking in.  It's great to hear from you.  I'm glad that the whole surgery experience went well, with no unpleasant surprises. 

Rest up.  Have a wonderful Christmas.  And here's hoping for a great final pathology report!

Clara56091

Hi Barry,

I have had exactly the same surgery as you, on the same day. I feel ok too, not as much pain as I expected, although I don't like the sound of the fluid inside me which I hope will drain as my lymphatic system recovers!

This is my 3rd day surgery lumpectomy, one for diagnosis, one to remove the bad DCIS cells (not entirely the result I hoped, they found IDC so it took me a while to get my head around that one) and this one to clear margins. Like you, I hope they have got it all now and that the SN is clear.

I think the vast majority of lumpectomies are done as day cases in the UK and I don't regret being home in  my own bed each time.

The blue urine is quite a stunner, isn't it? My face has also gone bluey-green so I look worse than I feel!

Best wishes to you, let's forget about this as best we can and have a good Christmas.

Clara x

Hindsfeet

Clara,

     I found it hurt to let my arm hang to my side. I tied a large scarf around my neck as a sling...one you would make for an injured arm. Letting my arm rest in the sling relieved the pull of the stitches under the arm.

It is nice to get a message from someone who went through the operation the same time as I did. Let me know if you have any side affects with the sm removal. I don't hear any fluid...just sore.

The blue urine was a surprised, but more my whole right arm is blue, and my neck. I haven't noticed my face turning blue.

Clara56091

Hi Barry,

Well its 10am 'the morning after' and I woke up looking as though I had been in a fist fight! My right eye and cheek were all puffy although it looks as though it is slowly draining away. Still have a chest that sounds like a half-filled hot water bottle, though...

I don't have too much pain, but I've been here before and I think knowing what to expect helps. I have a huge ice pack in my bra which is doing a good job of keeping swelling down (which causes a lot of the pain) and am taking Arnica and rubbing it on as a cream as well. I found this enormously helpful last time and have become quite a convert to this stuff! I am also taking my pain killers, not so much for the pain, but to help with the swelling again.

In bed I build a nest of pillows to support bits of me and keep the pressure off the wound. Annoyingly I habitually sleep on my front! But it is possible with a bit of nest building. This morning my 'blue tit' has significantly reduced the dye area and it is now just in my nipple. I suspect that most of it is in my upper chest and right eye area!

The sling idea for your pain is a great one. A friend also wore her sling in the outside world once she was recovering. People are more careful not to bump into you in the supermarket if they can see a visible 'injury' and it also means that if you do take a bump, your breast is protected by your arm.

Barry I hope some of this is helpful, your first (and hopefully this is your last) op is a shock to the system and you must rest and be nice to yourself for a speedy recovery.

Best, best wishes,

Clara

anna47

I was diagnosed with BC on 11/29/07. I had an outpatient lumpectomy on 12/19/07. I also had a sentinal node biopsy at the same time. Apparently, they could tell that the BC had spread to the primary lymph node and removed it - also biopsied the nodes around the primary. My tumor was 3 cm. I am not in a lot of pain, just a little uncomfortable. I was sent home without much explanation of care of the incisions. I have steri-strips on the incisions and am wearing a sports bra for support, but I'm not sure if I can get the steri-strips wet. Anybody know? I will get the result of the lymph node biopsy and margins on 12/26. I am afraid of having another surgery but I guess I would rather deal with that than have this cancer in my body. Treatment follows and I am concerned about that as well. I know I can beat this but I also know the journey will not be easy.  I wish I could give some great advice for dealing with this but I'm just learning myself. I do know that we are strong and through support of friends, family, and other survivors we can do it!

Anonymous

Anna, I was told not to get the steri strips wet when I had my surgery, until the stitches came out.

Lynn

Hindsfeet

Hi girls, I am afriad to shower. I'm afraid to get the wound wet. It's really red and swollen. It is sore and stings. I haven't looked closely at my face, or my body. I woke up early and slept most of the afternoon.

 I had my surgery late Thursday afternoon, the surgeon called me Friday night and gave me my pathology report. She was happy to tell me that the cancer was not invasive and my nodes are negative.This is a wonderful Christmas present. The margins were clean, and it seems as if I am out of the woods. Although I am aware since I have dense breast I am at high risk with getting breast cancer in either breast. Like many of you I will be looking over my shoulder for the lurking monster.

      If the cancer turned out to be invasive I had planned to go ahead with radiation. Since it is contained I am not going on for further treatment. I will get mammograms every six months and if it occurs again I will be more aggressive. I am trying natural treatment for cancer hopefully it will help me to avoid the possibility of meeting up with the dark enemy, cancer. I want to at least give the natural remedies a try.

    Each of us must make our own decisions about the treatment we get. These last few weeks has been enlightening. I' will never look at this disease the same way. I ache for those who have had to make tough choices, and suffer from the disease.

     I have been touched by cancer and had to wrestle with different options I was force to face. One good thing about being touched by cancer is it has made me face a monster and now am able to touch others who have been pierced by it.

    I want to stay in contact while I'm healing from this wound. I find your comments encouraging. I will be praying for your healing, and recovery. God Bless, Barry

Kathy_K

It is okay to shower with the steri strips - just keep your back to the water and don't let it spray down directly on the strips.  Mine held for over two weeks.  By then the incision looks remarkably healed.

Happy to hear that you are feeling well.  The blue pee is fun as is the blue poop!

Clara56091

Barry, you have had the best news, I am so  pleased for you. You can be my good luck charm! Keep that swelling down and allow yourself to heal. In the UK we have to wait 3 weeks for each pathology report, so I will be hanging on for a while, hoping and praying...

Anna, you don't need to give advice to be here, just let us know how you are feeling and ask away if you have problems. Someone will know the answer or be here to hold your hand. You are right, we will all be able to give strength to others in time through our experiences.

I wasn't planning becoming an 'expert' on post-surgery care, but with 3 ops since October I have found things out by trial and error. The first is by far the worst and you learn to be kind to yourself to recover more quickly. Only do things that are fun or restful! The laundry will still be there another day.

I don't like to get my steri-strips wet, I worry that bacteria like warm, wet places, so I sit in a bath, wash my hair with the shower spray and keep my strips covered with a towel. I use baby wipes to wash around the wound and under my arm so that the water doesn't dribble downwards. I wasn't so careful the first time and had an infection for four weeks before anyone noticed - don't want to go there again!

Love to you all on this thread, and thank you for being there,

Clara x

Hindsfeet

This is probably my last log. I took a shower and took a good look at myself. The swelling has gone down, and I'm not so red. My right breast on the right side is smaller probably now a size b, while my other is a size c. I'm happy I have one at all. I had a time bomb - grade 3 - that could had been invasive. The surgeon did a masterful job taking enough flesh to get clean margins and neatly pulled me together.

I do want to say, after I discovered I had cancer I went to the elders of the Church, mine and others to anoint me with oil and pray over me. In psalms 50 it states when we are in trouble to call on Him and He will rescue us that we may glorify Him. The surgeon was a part of the miracle, and His touch another.

May all of you be bless, and live a full life. Barry

Beesie

barry,

Not sure if you'll see this, but if you do, I just wanted to say Congratulations! on the great pathology report. 

All the best to you.  I hope that this the last time that you have any need to come to this site!

sheshe48

Hi barry,

I hope you are recovery well, hope surgery went well. Keep us posted how you are doing. Yes, I had 2 lumpectomies and went home after surgery after each one. The frist surgery I should have stayed the night, I was so sick after surgery, I was in the intensive care recovery room, they asked me if I wanted to stay. Like a dummy I said I would go home big mistake, I was so sick and had trouble breathing. But I made it. The 2nd time around was a breeze. I did much better. Good Luck and have a great Christmas.

joteach

Barry

That is great about your pathology report. Fortunately, I had the same (nodes negative and clear margins). I'm not sure about not going for radiation though. Chemo is what I am really against. Are you going to take the hormone blockers to prevent recurrence?

I know I will take those. I also did a lot of praying and had a great surgeon.

Joan