Lumpectomy decision

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Micahmom
Micahmom Member Posts: 19
edited June 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I was diagnosed in April and had a biopsy of a tumor in my left breast. I had decided to do a mastectomy but the plastic surgeon refused to operate on me because of a few medical problems I have. When he refused I decided to do a lumpectomy. I have a pacemaker which needed to be moved to my right chest area for radiation. That was done last Friday. This Friday when I go into hospital for the lumpectomy I’ll go to radiology first for an injection into the sentinel node then into surgery. My husband just ordered me two lumpectomy bras which I hope will help with pain and support. Has anyone had an injection in the sentinel node? I wasn’t. Worried about the lumpectomy til I saw all upcoming appointments in my discharge papers from the pacemaker. Any info is deeply appreciated. God bless all of us

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited June 2018

    For the Sentinel Node identification, they inject a small amount of a radioisotope as well as a dye into the area under the nipple. Then they have you massage the breast for 30-45 minutes to help the tracer material be distributed to the lymph nodes. During surgery, a Geiger counter is used to confirm the area with the highest radioactivity and those nodes are removed and tested.

    My injection was done the afternoon before the surgery. My BS gave me Emla cream to numb the nipple and areola ahead of time. I put a big glob on the area and placed a piece of plastic wrap over it about an hour before the procedure. It really helped a lot.


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  • Micahmom
    Micahmom Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2018

    I'd rather my husband massage that breast lol but I guess as scared as I am I could do it. My fear is waking up and instead of a lumpectomy they did a mastectomy. My husband said if they call him and say the cancer has spread he would ok a mastectomy. I deeply appreciate you telling me about the procedure . I know what to expect now. God bless you

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited June 2018

    My isotope injection didn't hurt worse than a regular shot, like a flu shot or bee sting!

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  • Micahmom
    Micahmom Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2018

    no massage was needed . The radioactive shot wasn’t bad at all. They put a heated blanket on that breast. Then I went into surgery. I awoke in recovery in severe pain . They gave me three shots of fentyl and an oxicodone pill before I left the hospital. They only had one nurse working post op and they forgot to go over post op instructions. No paperwork at all. Thus hit me half way home. My husband and son said not to go back it was their fault. I’m one day post op and in pain. Ice bag really helps! God bless us al

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited June 2018

    Hi Micahmom and I'm glad you got through surgery ok. Ice really does help! I believe my post-lumpectomy instructions were to leave the bandage alone for four days, then take a shower. But I'm sure you can make them email the instructions to you. Best wishes for an easy recovery and good pathology results.

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