Port Surgery and lymph node removal, NEED an answer fast!

brend

This is scheduled for Monday. I live alone....they have NOT told me what I will be able to do, or not do, or if I will need someone to stay with me the first 24 hours.

Living alone, I need to know, so I can PLAN for someone to stay with me, or have someone on standby to help me do things I won't be able to do.

Anyone have any idea??? Will I need someone with me Monday night after surgery???

ruthbru

You will just feel sore from the port part, and pretty sore from the lymph node surgery. You will be able to do stuff with your other arm, but that side will be achy & weakish so you will want to rest & elevate it. You probably wouldn't have to have someone there, but might want to, because one never knows how one's body is going to react to any surgery and it is better to be safe than sorry. Best of luck!

sheila888

brend....If you're going under anesthesia for lymph node removal someone should know or even stay with you the first night

It's a comforting feeling

Good luck with your surgeries

Port is not a big issue

With my case SNB was done during lumpectomy and was never in pain or any discomfort after

Sending hugs from NY ♥

brend

Thanks you all. Trying to find someone that is available to stay with me that first 24 hours now. My oldest sister is really sick, younger sister on a cruise. No other family left at my age.

Morwenna

Any friends that you could call on?

I'd come, but I'm a little far away, plus I have surgery myself booked for Tuesday morning!

I had a pretty uncomfortable first night after my port was inserted; in my neck where the line entered my jugular. My lymph nodes were taken during my lumpectomy, so a different story, but I imagine you'll be a bit sore and stiff ...

brend

Actually, I put out the need for someone to come Monday night, as a pajama party...on facebook. NOT a darn convenient day for the ones who've been offering to help. A Friday, would have been much more convenient! As most of the folks who've offered to help, have kids in school, and work. Can you tell this has really made me mad? I'm going to have a LONG talk with both the surgeon, as well as my O doc. They called and told me when THEY SCHEDULED me for surgery, not giving me the option of picking what day would be convenient for me. I'm mad, and very upset.

brend

And yea, Mowenna, Alberta Canada is a long way from Mobile AL, USA.... The thought is heart warming though.

Morwenna

My surgeon just about gave me a heart attack today!

I've been sleeping so badly, and as my hubby got up early to go to work I thought I'd take advantage of my day off and sleep in for a bit.

So my PS woke me at 8.30 to say he'd been reviewing my case, and wanted to know if my hematologist had any thoughts about my coagulation issues! My first thought was he was calling to cancel!!

He did apologize for waking me, even though I was trying to sound like I'd been awake for hours (and obviously failing miserably!)

knmtwins

brend - I didn't have my SNB with my port, so not sure... also are they both on the same side, or on different sides. If the same side, then you will have the other arm/hand to use, if both sides... then... you might be in more need of help. For port placement I wasn't allowed to lift over 5lbs for 1st week so if you have gallons of liquids (milk, juice, laundry soap etc. put in smaller containers. Not sure about reaching, so be on the safe side and move what you will want to counters or middle shelf of your fridge. Also, start stool softeners now, as constipation is a 'side effect' of surgery, as well as chemo, so you will need it anyway in the future. OH, and have 3 bags of frozen peas, then puteach one in a ziplock freezer bag. These are great 'ice packs' for the port surgery. Not sure if you are to use ice packs on the SNB site, so check with Dr. first.

If you have someone who is willing to stay with you, why not, just to be on the safe side. If you feel fine, you can consider it a girls night in, so have them bring a good movie, some snacks and frozen berries for fruit smoothies.

brend

I was not told which side the port would go on, or where they are taking lymph nodes from!!!! You see my frusteration????

I was called Friday, and I had to tell the woman to slow down....,I was trying to write this stuff down...and all she told me was to be there for surgery at 9:30 am, and surgery would be 11am, and nothing to eat or drink after Midnight Sunday night! Lady was rude as all get out, didn't EVEN ask if I had any questions.

Going to have a very STERN talk with both my Surgeon as well as my O doc. I need insturctions BEFORE hand, so I can see about finding someone to help me when I need it. I live alone, and I never had children.

Mommato3

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/...

Here is a thread about what to expect during the port surgery. My port was placed and lymph nodes removed during MX so I can't help you there. I hope this helps.

brend

Thanks hon...,I just said screw it, called USA Mitchell cancer center, and they are going to have the surgeon on call, give me a call. Really HARD to find someone to stay with me during the week. Everyone I know has kids in school, jobs and husbands. My best guess, is not to chew the ass off the surgeon BEFORE surgery about this, LOL.

brend

The surgeon "on call" said she didn't see much of a problem with me being by myself. But she would address that with my surgeon Monday morning at 7am. I have to be at hospital at 9:30 am. They better start sedating me immediately, is all I can say. I do NOT need to make my surgeon mad before she starts cutting on me!!!

SpecialK

Generally the port is placed on the opposite side of the chest that the cancerous breast is on - so if you have right side cancer, your port will be left side.  They are testing the lymph nodes in the axilla on the side of the cancer, to see if the cancer has spread regionally out of the breast - so if right side cancer, right axilla is checked.

brend

My breast cancer IS on my right side. So port will be on left, and where they are removing lymph nodes will be on right side....thanks specialK. I'm so mad with them not telling me jack chit...I could spit 10 penny nails! I don't know how long they want me to quit driving, or not pick up anything over 5 lbs.

Living alone for 15 years was fine, till recently, where I know I'll need some help. Wished I'd had kids now...first time I EVER said that!

BrooksideVT

I believe they can keep you 23 hours for a same-day procedure without upping the bill and disturbing the insurance trolls. The hospital's normal process is to kick you out asap (but not until someone arrives to drive you, if they did not mention that), but you can ask about hanging around until you feel "safe." Maybe the surgeon on call can clarify your hospital's policy on that. Also, it really is not too late to reschedule, if that would make you more comfortable. When I had my some surgery or other, I had them schedule me in the PM and they let me stay overnight, a big comfort, as I also live alone.

brend

I'd hate to reschedule this, as the last 3 weeks, I'd been praying they'd get this show on the road, as I'd felt they been dragging their feet on this. There will be someone taking me to surgery, waiting there with me, and driving me home. She has 5 kids. I have plenty of room here, but they all go to school in another county, which would certainly inconvience her, as well as her children.

I took a prn, and hoping it kicks in real soon. If not, I'll take the other 1/2.

Surgeon I'd been seeing there was going to schedule it on my last visit, but then changed her mind since I hadn't even met the O dr yet. Had I known it'd be scheduled before I saw her again, much less 2 days before surgery, I'd dang sure asked for the post surgery instructions!!! Living alone, I have to be able to plan ahead meals/overnight stays if I need it.

Hind sight is 20/20. Lesson learned.

brend

By the way, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for being here, and answering my questions the best you all can. It means the WORLD TO ME! I know we all have different types of cancer, and different types of surgery, and most of us don't have the same home life. You all that have husbands and children to help you, hug them, and tell them how much you appreciate them being there. I'm looking back over the many years, wishing now, those birth control pills didn't work so good gotta laugh...and I'm trying to find things to laugh at.

This forum is the BOMB!!

brend

if worst comes to worst, I may have to op for the 23 hours BrooksideVT. Especially if they tell me someone HAS to be with me the first 24 hours.

Holeinone

Brend,

You have come to the right place for support & encouragement. BCO is a lifesaver for many.

Your surgery could be very simple, or not. No one can predict. My lumpectomy was simple, the node biopsy, at the same time was also, but more pain in that area & I had drains for 2 weeks.

I could of handled it on my own, but having hubby & daughter there was comforting. I think you can drive after a day or two. Obviously if your on pain meds, use caution. That is always tricky. Getting pain meds filled after surgery. The American Cancer Society might have volunteers in your community. The social worker at the cancer center will help you, give them a call tomorrow while you wait for surgery. I would not cancel, get it done & get the chemo started.

It all sucks, probably not surgeons fault, but his office should of sent you more info. Also, you ask for your pathology report in a few days or so. I did not see mine until I was done with chemo, I had no idea I was able to see it.

sheila888

brend...i had lumpectomy and SNB under general anesthesia around noon time

I was ready to go home at 8PM when my BS said that i could stayed overnight if I chose too I decided to come home but i had my daughters still living with me and it was American Idol voting night

nurses thought i was crazy for not taking the offer but i was feeling OK and never took any pain killers

Mine was also on the right side

Please keep us updated..I promise I'll be checking on you Monday evening

More hugs from snowy NY

We are waiting with you..You're never alone

♥ ♥

BrooksideVT

Brend, I don' t think they can send you home until they are certain you can be by yourself--wouldn't look so good if you boomerang'd right back to them with a broken whatever, would it? You'll be fine, just a little more laid back than usual.

Oh, about the pain meds--make sure your friend picks up your meds before you leave your nice, warm hospital bed. Or at least, be sure the Rx hits the pharmacy at least a half hour before you get there. Nothing is worse than hanging around the hospital pharmacy for ages and ages while you wait for all the scripts in front of you to be filled.

brend

its certainly been frusterating as h#ll. All those folks saying "anything I can do, holler. I'll fix food you can freeze, etc, etc" have not come through.

I said puckit....drove to Dollar tree tonight, and got a buttload of frozen tv dinners. Breakfast ones, lunch ones and dinner ones. I know its not the perfect food they want me eating, not real good for me, but seems the best I can do, since all those well meaning people just went poof, when I need them the most.

I think when all this is over with, I'll be volunteering to help people with cancer that live alone. I know the needs are great, I'm sure I"m not the only one, and its hard to have someone in your life you KNOW will be right there with you, years after you leave work, and have no children or spouse.

Hopeful82014

Dear Brend - just wanted to say how ticked I am on your behalf. Your surgeon's staff certainly haven't demonstrated any common sense nor any compassion. DO call on the hospital's social worker; that's what they are there for. As mentioned, the local American Cancer Society and maybe even Meals on Wheels could help.
If you are having a full lymph node dissection you'll have greater limitations than for a sentinel node biopsy. Take a zip up or button up shirt/blouse to wear home, as you won't want to lift your arm over your head for a few days/week.

GOOD LUCK.

flaviarose

In my experience, having a sentinel node biopsy, lumpectomy and port placement on the same day - the surgery, if there aren't any complications, is something that you can recover from alone, fairly quickly and fairly unremarkably. It is the possible complications (I had a collapsed lung), and especially side effects of drugs or anesthesia, that could make being alone difficult. The last time I had surgery I spent a lot of time vomiting as a side effect of the anesthesia. I was glad my husband was home to do things like take care of the dogs and bring me liquids. But I also could have been alone, especially if I didn't have any one else (pets included) depending on me. If you are able to get up and walk around in the hospital before they discharge you, you should be fine alone. You can make sure you drink enough to stay hydrated, and just sit on the couch and watch TV for a couple of days.

brend

Thank you SO MUCH ladies. This has really helped me a lot. I do have someone on stand by, jic they do not want me being alone that first night. Depending on how I'm feeling and what hospital says, as to whether or not I call her. But she will be there waiting on a call either way.

Some outpatient surgeries, REQUIRE someone to be with you, that first 24 hours. I've had that happen before.

Your tips have certainly helped me a LOT. You all are worth your weight in GOLD! And as I said, I WILL be having a talk with surgeon, as well as o doc. I suppose I need to stress harder than I have already stressed that I live ALONE, and need BEFORE hand info, so I can plan for stuff. I will NOT stress this before surgeon starts cutting on me though, LOL

$1 says they send me to 1st chemo before chemo school. LOL I do not know how many lymph nodes they want.

sheila888

What time is your surgery?

brend

its supposed to be at 11am. They want me there at 9:30am. I suppose they want to listen to me whine about NO COFFEE for that hour and 1/2!

ruthbru

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes.

SpecialK

Brend - how many lymph nodes to take is not arbitrary. After they do the injections they will take the node(s) that "light up" with dye and/or tracer. Sometimes they remove what looks like one - encased in a fat pad - and get more than one. Sometimes only one is apparent. They will check for gross disease, but the goal of sentinel node biopsy is to take as few as possible, absent an obvious reason to take more.

As far as chemo school - not every oncological practice has it. I did not have one - i just showed up the first day prepared by my own research. That is how it is for many of us.

Chloesmom

I vote for company. Thought I felt fine and the next morning walked into the bathroom passed out when I sat on the throne to pee. Good thing someone was nearby to catch me. It's calleda Vasovagal response and can happen suddenly when your body has been through a lot.