My Story : Excisional Breast Biopsy

Over the past few weeks, I have done a lot of reading on this site looking for other's stories on what to expect during and after an excisional breast biopsy. It helped me get thru waiting for my excisional breast biopsy. My surgery was yesterday morning. So, here's my story:

I found my lump a few months ago. I went to my OBGYN who immediately ordered a mammogram and ultrasound. They had a hard time seeing the lump on either test, so I was referred to a breast surgeon. The surgeon gave me 2 options : 1. watch it closely for a few months 2. remove it. BC runs on my mom's side of the family and I am on hormone replacement, so I decided to go ahead and remove it. I didn't want to take any changes. A needle biopsy was out of the question due to not being able to see the lump on mammogram or ultrasound.

I was panicked the few weeks leading up to my surgery. I couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before and I couldn't take my hormones the morning of surgery. I had to be at the hospital at 10:30 AM for surgery at 12:30PM. I got checked in, paid, and was directed to a waiting room to wait for the nurse to come get me.

The nurse called me back into my pre op room. I changed into 2 gowns, socks, and the lovely blue hair net and sat and waited. The nurse came back with a warm blanket and started my IV. She also gave me Pepcid for acid reflux during surgery.

The anesthesiologist came in and went over his job. He explained it would be a 'Twilight' sleep and I wouldn't feel or remember anything. A good hour or so later, my doctor finally arrived. He spend a good 30 mins with my husband and I answering all of our questions and making sure I was comfortable. As soon as he left, the nurses came to get me and wheeled me into the surgery room. Last thing I remember was climbing on the table and getting oxygen placed in my nose.

Then, I was awake in the recovery room and feeling quite uncomfortable. The nurse gave me sprite and pain meds in my IV and I was back asleep. I woke up begging for them to bring me my husband. Little did I know, he had already been there and was downstairs filling my pain medication prescription so I wouldn't have to wait for it.

The doctor spoke to my husband while I was in and out of sleep. He let us know that surgery went well, however, there were 2 large lumps instead of just 1 and there were several smaller lumps. Due to not knowing the status of the lumps, he only removed the 2 large ones to make sure he wasn't removing extra tissue for nothing. He stitched from the inside and glued the outside. My incision goes down the whole right side of my breast.

He advised me to wear a comfortable sports bra 24/7 for the next few weeks, no heavy lifting, and to use ice on the incision off in on for 20 minutes at a time. Also advised to take Advil with my pain meds to help with pain. My follow-up appointment for my results is on the 21st.

The biggest things that have helped me so far are :

1. The sports bra. Keeping myself wrapped tight has really helped reduce the pain. I bought a few soft sports bras that zip in the front to make it easier to put on. And they are amazing.

2. Ice. Ice helps more than the pain meds. I put ice in a zip lock baggie and put a couple paper towels around it and put it inside my sports bra.

3. A pillow. You will want a pillow for the ride home to put between your chest and the seat belt. I also used a pillow under my arm when sleeping.

4. Zip up hoodie or button up shirt. I have discomfort when trying to pull a shirt over my head, so having something easy to slip on has been very helpful.

I returned to work this morning. I brought zip lock baggies with me for ice and I brought a pillow to keep on my lap to press against my check for comfort. I have a desk job and it hasn't been too bad today. I'm more tired than anything and probably should have taken the day off to sleep.

Overall, I had a pretty positive experience. The pain has been off and on, but nothing I can't manage. I'm not sure if there will be any changes to the appearance of my breast because it is so swollen and starting to turn black and blue.

I hope telling my little story helps calm nerves of anyone awaiting their surgery. And for all of you women awaiting results, prayers for B9!!! And for the women already diagnosed, praying for you during your fight!!!!