sentinal node biopsy

miste1

can anyone tell me about this proceedure, is it painful? I'm having this done in a couple of weeks, I'm more concerned about this than the actual lumpectomy surgery

curveball

hi miste1, I had a sentinel node biopsy along with a unilateral mastectomy in June. After surgery I was sore and tired, but not in a lot of pain. I stayed in the hospital overnight and didn't feel the need for any pain medication but ibuprofen after I got out of the hospital. I had a drain in my armpit for three weeks. It was annoying, but there was only minor pain from that, more like discomfort than actual pain.

Probably someone will come along in a little while who had their sentinel node surgery separately, like you are going to. Hope this helps until then.

dogsandjogs

I had mine done at the same time as the lumpectomy. There was very little soreness after the surgery - in either incision-- did not need pain killers at all.

Luah

miste: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is almost routinely now done at the time of breast surgery. You can read up on it here: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lymph_node_removal/sentinel_dissection/

I experienced a fair amount of numbness after my SNB; and soreness/stiffness that required regular stretching and exercise to recover from. Also, with any lymph node removal, there is risk of lymphodema (swelling), and you should be monitored for that. The surgery itself is pretty straightforward however. 

benzmum

I had a mastectomy on the left side, with 14 lymph nodes removed, 4-1/2 years ago, and I've had trouble with my left arm ever since. Today I just discovered the following video, which introduces a program of gentle exercise in order to get the range of motion and strength back in your affected arm: 

http://breastcancerrehabilitation.com/Rehabilitation.html

The woman who demonstrates the video teaches "classical stretch" for a living, so I'm very impressed that she wants to give back to the survivors community by providing her video free to all of us. I wish I'd seen it 4-1/2 years ago!

 There are four videos on the same page, the second one being what interested me because my arm burns fiercely by 3 pm every day. I've tried it, and it feels good, like something I really want to continue with. I recommend you watch that video thru before you start trying what she's doing, just so you know what you'll be dealing with.

 God bless you all, and may this information be a great help to you! 

miste1

Hi, I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice, I have now had my surgery and sentinel node biopsy, all went well, no node involement, no chemo, stage 1 grade 1 start radiation tomorrow, just 16 treatments, I have to use a breathing machine, has anyone had this?

liefie

Miste, so glad your surgery went well, you had no node involvement, and that you won't need chemo. I had 25 rads earlier this year, but did not use a breathing machine. Hopefully someone with experience of that will come along, and share their advice. Best wishes for the rads - it is really easy.

benzmum

Miste, is this breathing machine for while you're having radiation, or is it related to sleep apnea? I was diagnosed with sleep apnea some months after my surgery and struggled to live with a breathing, or CPAP, machine for a long time. THEN it turned out I was borderline apnea - probably because of the Oxycocet I'd been on after my surgery - and I didn't need the cpap AFTER all! Thank God, because I could NOT fall asleep with that thing. But if you fall asleep easily, you won't have a problem. ....Assuming we're talking about the same thing, which we may not be. Perhaps you can be more explicit about this breathing machine...?

miste1

Hi Benzmum, no this breathing machine is used during radiation, it's because the beam is too close to my heart, it's a real nuisence and is taking a while to get used to, they also plug your nose and you have to take several deep breaths and the machine holds the breath while the radiation works, I am having it done in the Toronto area, also, there is only 16 sessions compared with the usual 25, the beam is higher and it is the same outcome as 25 sessions, they have completed clinical trials for this