Breast lumpectomy and node removal op

hi to anyone due to have this op

i had mine yesterday. Got there for 7:30 am. Changed into gown, dressing gown nd slippers. Had bp nd temp done met consultant, anaesthetist. Had breast marked up then radioactive injection (to help them find nodes during op- negates the need for the blue dye). 

Then the wait to go. There were 4 of us for the same op so we pulled up chairs nd sat and chatted. 

I went for op at 1:30. Woke up in resus then taken back to room (no bed in room just a chair)5:00pm. Bp and temp. Cup of tea nd toast. Approx hr later told could go home. 

I have no pain ( I am taking 2 paracetamol 4hrly). I slept well last night. I can move arm freely etc and had no problems getting dressed or moving around. 

I am waiting now for the district nurse coming to check me over. At the moment there is no bruising and very little swelling. 

All the staff were brilliant I can not fault them. 

If you too are to have this op I can honestly say it was no where near as bad as I had built it up in my mind. As always it is the waiting that is the worst. 

Good luck to those due to have this and try not to worry   

Take. Care

Sandra x

  • Been very patchy this week. Was there nearly four hours today and didn't get zapped. They tried to do some mid point images and couldn't get what they needed without including part of my lung. After being writhed around for best part of two hours, had anither ct scan but that time I had had only one small glass of water and three biscuits since 6 and was feeling sick and dizzy. Had to delay the scan until I stopped shaking. Finally got away about quarter to 12. Was told to go home, rest and get some fluids on board. Treatment period extended another day. Had another set too with them over the tattoo issue as well but that will be going in the complaint letter that is going in when treatment is finished.
  • Hey u have some tears if it comes over u. It’s another safety valve giving u some release. I think I cried myself dry when I first found out. Then each time my family cried I found more tears. I started t watch sad movie during which I sobbed more than either the story or acting deserved. At the moment I feel all cried out ( I’ve started watching comedies - now I’m laughing more than crying). 

    I have cleaned house- 3 wks post op felt I should cos hadn’t touched it since op ( it was starting t look like Miss Havishams from great expectations lol). All dusted and clean again yeah. 

    Keep well and we r here for u x

     

  • Thanks Sandra. I've just about had enough at the moment. 

  • Oh no. I knew they took more images but didn’t realise the impact this could have. 

    Not surprised you were shaking if u hadn’t eaten. Maybe they should have offered t let u go get some food at one the eateries these places all seem t have these days nd come back nd try rather than pushing on regardless without success. 

    I got my formal letter through today and it states they will remove tats via laser after if wanted so surprised yrs don’t offer the same. 

    Not the best of days bless. Hope u can relax a bit now u r home. Do something u fancy this weekend if u can. 

    Take dare Sandra x

     

  • Hang in there rileyroo. This "journey" is as such- everything goes along smoothly then another hurdle will come along that one has to overcome. Just try to go with the flow. Take it really easy - your health at this point is priority number one. Is someone there with You?

    Treatment is hard - they make radiation sound not that bad but the challenges are there.  In my 3rd week they decided to do that to me - poking prodding turning coz they took several xrays for a week. It's so hard to eat through it as well. Youl've come this far - one day added on the list is needed. You will het to the end - it may not feel it at this time but it'll be here before you know it. Its all working towards getting rid of those hortid cells. You will be okay - hang in there rileyroo.x

    Thanks Sandra. Clean house feels great. I decided when I go back to work am gonna get a cleaner. I want to have time for me rather than in the rat race my life was. 

    Damn cancer - I curse it.

  • On my own for most of the weekend. First time in a long time. 

  • They don't offer to take the tats off, they can't understand why I even want them taken off. Disgusting things.  I've found somewhere that offers removal as free service as part of the charitable work they do so as soon as I can after treatment is over I want them off.  

  • Mine went away. I thought they may be there but they've disappeared.

    Yours might too?

    You're almost at the end of treatment - hang in there. Skin still doing Ok?

  • Don’t blame u - I’m the same.

    I don’t have any tattoos I shouldn’t have to live with something that is a constant reminder of what I have been through. I have seen where some women have had beautiful tats done on mastectomy scars and kudos to them. I personally would not want t do that so I most certainly would not want t b left with crude radiotherapy markers. 

    Well... that’s my cage well nd truly rattled :-/

    X

  • Don't worry, your hospital group seems to be run with some humanity whereas this one, isn't.