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

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!

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!)

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.