Nervous about excisional

loriio

Hi all. I wa diagnosed with LCIS via stereotactic biopsy a couple of weeks ago. My excisional biopsy is next Tuesday. The nurse called yesterday with more info about the procedure and it kind of freaked me out a little. I guess it's a little more involved than I thought. I guess I should have done some more research but I'm a little tired of thinking about all of this. Luckily my mom is going to come help me next week. Any advice?

JanetM

It really isn't that bad.  Are you having wire localization before the procedure?

Anonymous

Lorio---my wire localization wasn't too bad, sort of like the SCB but sitting up instead of being on my stomach. I was numbed up really well, so no actual pain, just pressure. So numb, I could see the wires sticking out, but couldn't feel a thing. I was wheeled into the OR for my lumpectomy within the hour. Had conscious sedation so I don't remember anything and didn't feel anything. Woke up wrapped snugly in a chest binder which I had to keep on for 2 days, then could remove and shower with just the steri strips on. Mine was a day procedure--in at 6:30, home by 2:00, just slept for most of the afternnoon. Very little pain, if any. I was back to normal activites in less than a week. You'll do fine, keep in touch.

Anne 

loriio

Thanks so much for the info. And Yes-I am having wire localization. I did find out from a friend that the hospital, which is brand new, feels like a 4 star hotel instead of a hospital. I guess that's something to look forward to

ppeople

Hi Loriio!

Do not worry, it is not bad at all!  And I am a chicken.  Wire localization did not hurt at all, just weird looking and freaky to think about (so don't).

Had the wide exicision the day before thanksgiving, got up Thanksgiving morning, made mashed potatoes and other side dishes and went to a friend's house and enjoyed myself without pain (no meds needed, only sore).  The next day went to the gym and walked on treadmill, all ok.  

You will be fine!

leaf

Different people have different experiences with the wire insertion.   I actually did a survey here in 2006.  But, whatever experience you have will be a VALID experience.   I would have done the survey a little differently had I known the results beforehand.

38 people responded to my survey.  People were able to choose only one of the 4 following responses.
1) I had injectable anesthesia before wire insertion and my pain was tolerable (<=4/10 on a scale of 1-10)   19 people, 50%
2) I had injectable anesthesia before wire insertion and my pain was NOT tolerable (>4/10 on a scale of 1-10)  7 people, 18%
3) I did NOT have injectable anesthesia before wire insertion and my pain was tolerable (<=4/10 on a scale of 1-10)  3 people , 8%
4) I did NOT have injectable anesthesia before wire insertion and my pain was NOT tolerable (>4/10 on a scale of 1-10.) 9 people, 24%.

I had an awful time, but there are several reasons for that which probably or hopefully do not apply to you.  First, the doc never asked how I was, inquired about pain, said how he'd manage pain, if his pain regimen worked, etc.  If he had in some way admitted there might be some pain involved and if he had said he'd try to relieve the pain, I'm sure it would have been better.   He also gave no pain prevention before the insertion (except for a 3 second application of a cold spray, which is the equivalent of about a 3 second application of an ice cube.)   Secondly, unknownst to me at the time, I had a previous trauma history.  People who have had multiple traumas, like me, are usually more sensitive to future traumas.  

Who enjoys pain?  Not many people I know.  If you are concerned about this, if I had to do it over again, or have to do it again in the future, I will tell them I'm concerned about the pain, ask what they are going to do about it if I have pain, and, most importantly, how I should be communicating with them about the pain.  I'll bring along a bell or something, that I can shake if I have pain.  

But, as you see, most women did NOT have moderate to severe pain.  (If I did my survey over again, I would have changed the pain score categories.)

DocBabs

I think it's barbaric to have a wire localization and not use anesthesia. Pain is pain and that's why lidocaine was invented. The proceedure itself , with proper anesthesia, is not all the painful.I got a little woozy afterward but that's about all. Afterwards, they put me in a limo and drove me over to the hospital where I walked to the outpatient surgery department. A little propofol , out light a light. Awakemed in recovery room, had some tea a cookies and went home about 2 hours after waking up.Spent the remainder of the day resting in bed. I think the mental toll is far greater than the physical one.You'll be fine.

loriio

When the BS told me about needing an excisional, she did mention that they would numb me for the wire insertion. That is being done at the same office where I had my stereotactic biopsy and I thought they did a great job. However, no limo for me. Just a wheelchair and a glass walkway between the radiologist and the hospital.

JanetM

That was the same for me. I have to say that my wire localization was more painful than I expected because of how deep they had to go and there were 2 areas that had to be done. Same deal just a wheelchair ride between radiology and ambulatory surgery center.

sndlu49

Hi Loriio,

I too am having an excisional biopsy on Tuesday and really am starting to feel kind of nervous about it.  I had the needle biopsy 3 weeks ago and the result was flat epithelial atypia. I am having the wire localization as well.  Did they tell you how long you will have to wait for results?  My surgeon said it would be a week. 

loriio

Hi Sndlu. No, she didn't tell me how long I'd have to wait for results. I didnt even think to ask. I'm still stunned by all of this. Keep me posted on how it goes for you and what the results are. I'll say a prayer for you.

sndlu49

Thanks loriio, I will be praying for you also;  Let me know how it goes for you. I am glad that your mother is going to help you. I think the hardest part of all of this for me is waiting.  My mammogram was the first week of Feb.  By the time I get these results it will be almost 2 months.  I finally had to get some ativan for the anxiety.  I can deal with surgery and results but I'm not so good at waiting. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday.  Cindy

scaredycatwoman

Hi Leaf   What do you think __My breast is really battered from a stereotactic biopsy and then an mRI guided biopsy I had yesterday (all within 3 weeks)   The numbing injections for the stereotactic was  just a pinch or 2  and then the rst didn't hurt

but 10 days later when I had the MRI guided  biopsy on a site a little lower than the first biopsy area the injections hurt a lot more  and my breast was much more sore afterwards. 

 I am scheduled to have the wire location excisional  a week from now on either one or both of those sites and I am wondering if you think that is too soon.  Nobody likes pain its true but some of us are more tolerant than others and, as my username implies, I have 0 tolerance.

Will the fact that my breast is will still be bruised and maybe sore from the  biopsies impact the how painful the wire location will be?? I am sure they will be giving me injections to numb the area but it doesn't sound like they worked for you?

scaredycatwoman

Hi  I am scheduled to have a wire localization in a week and am already traumatized by the needle biopsies I have had already...Could or would you go into further detail as to how and where in the wire localization procedure you experienced the pain??  did the numbing injections didn't work?  did the injections hurt?  did the wire placement hurt?  what exatly does that mean __do they put a wire in your breast?? etc??

scaredycatwoman

also  what does your breast scar look like__if you don't mind answering

leaf

For my excision, once an anesthesiologist got involved, all was fine.  A year later, I got 2 more biopsies a week apart.  The first was a stereotactic, which was awful (because I had an awful time with the wire insertion.)   I actually pulled out of the mammo machine when they were trying to inject the anesthetic.  They had to hold me in the mammo machine. 

So,I was really anxious about my ultrasound biopsy a week later, particularly since in was just under the nipple, so would be more painful. I sure warned the doc I was really sensitive to pain, and he fortunately listened!  But the ultrasound biopsy actually went quite well, even though I had a bad time the previous week.  (And both biopsies came back with nothing worse than my previously known LCIS.)

I had big hematomas (bleeding into the site).  Over the next several months they turned all sorts of beautiful autumnal colors-black, blue, purple, green, yellow.  (These are the colors of the hemoglobin as it gets degraded and reabsorbed into the body.)   But gradually they all went away.  I had a swollen, hard area around my incision site for several months.  I did massage it after a month or so.  After, say, 9-12 months, it all looked normal.   I now have a very faint pink scar that is hardly visible and left no thickening.   I had a 'dent' right after surgery, and that gradually filled in. Its just as soft as the rest of my breast.  I don't know how much they normally take out; they took out about 2 tablespoonfulls on me, and I have a B cup.  This is just my experience, your mileage may differ.

Best wishes for a painless and speedy recovery, but particularly for BoringlyBenign.

loriio

Cindy-Got home from Spring Break and had a letter from my BS office.  I won't get my results until April 4.  Seems like an eternity.

sndlu49

OMG, that is so long.  How are you doing tonight?  What time is your surgery tomorrow?  I have to be at the hospital at 10:00, surgery is at 1:00.  My hospital is 75 miles away.  I have been taking ativan today, I worked which kept me busy, but don't know if I will sleep tonight.  Just really anxious to get this done.  Are you doing okay tonight?

loriio

I'm ok actually.  I went to the hospital today for pre-registration ( I live really close).  My surgery is first thing-I have to be there at 5:30!  I doubt I sleep much tonight either.  I agree-I just need to get it over with.  I hope everything goes great tomorrow for you.  Let me know in the next couple of days how you're feeling.

shabby6485

Hi sndlu49

i don't know if you remember me but i had an excisional for fea last month.  it was b9.  best of wishes, you are going to be fine!

shabby 

sndlu49

Yes I do remember you Shabby.  How are you doing?  I am very anxious for this to be done as you were I'm sure!  Thanks for the wishes

Loriio, best wishes tomorrow, I will be thinking about you .  You will be home by the time I have my surgery!!  Keep my posted.  Cindy 

annievan

sndlu and loriio -

It's rather late, so hopefully you're all tucked in bed, resting before your day tomorrow.  Just wanting to say I'll be thinking about you both.  Had my excisional in Dec. The wires weren't so bad, but I did have a valium beforehand. . . no limo either, just a wheelchair ride from radiology to surgery. 

Hope all goes well and the results come quickly and are all benign.  The one thing that helped me after the excisional (and after you can take the ace/guaze wrapping off several days later) was having lots of gel packs to tuck in a comfortable (not too tight) excercise bra.  I wore that bra for weeks! 

Best of luck to the both of you.  Will be thinking of you tomorrow. . .

sndlu49

Thanks Annie for the support.  I slept good for about 6 hours.  I am anxious to get this part over with , been waiting too long.  Will keep you posted .  Cindy

sndlu49

 I made it home from surgery.  Went for the wire placement and the clip placed during my biopsy 3 weeks ago had moved.  Finally after several mammograms got the wire placed and the dye.  Surgery lasted about 1 hour and I had a tough time waking from the sedation.  Still very groggy right now, but don't have a lot of pain so far.  Been thinking about you Loriio, hope your surgery went well today.  Cindy

loriio

I have been home since noon, but I was pretty nauseous all day. I also have had a really bad headache. I had the headache before my procedure so I'm sure it was stress related. The wire insertion was by far the worst for me. Maybe because I had to get 2 wires. I am feeling much better now. I also found out I'll get results next week-not 2 weeks so I'll keep you updated.

Cindy, I am glad your procedure went well. I'm sorry you're going through this too, but it's nice to have someone to go through it with. Let's stay in touch!

leaf

Wishing both of you the best, Cindy and loriio.

sndlu49

Thanks leaf for your response. 

Loriio, I hope you are doing better today.  I was pretty woozy all evening, slept most of the evening into today.  I don't have very much pain, didn't even touch the pain meds. I had more pain with the core needle biopsy.  I still kind of feel a bit woozy this morning , but really overall it wasn't bad.

Now the wait begins.  Here's hoping that we both get good results very soon. I hope today is much better for you. I agree it is nice to have someone to go through this with.  Take care. Hugs,  Cindy

Anonymous

cindy and lorio----praying for good results for both of you soon!

Anne 

loriio

Ahhhhhhh!  Feeling better-but still waiting for results.  I'm about to crawl out of my skin. 

annievan

Just have been thinking of the two of you and hoping you'll get results soon you'll get some good news.

 Hang in there - -