questions re; upcoming surgery

Yes, Michelle, we got a great taste of Spring today, can you believe it?
Where are you having the surgery? From my experience, I had the lumpectomy on November 30, and then had a re-excision and SNB in mid January. The biopsy site was still tender, and I went to radiology first, for the radioactive tracer to be injected. Some places use both radioactive tracer and blue dye. The injections for the radio stuff hurt pretty badly, I remember being in tears. And he had to do like 5 of them. But it was over pretty quickly...then the doc used a massager thing to rub it in and move it through the lymph system. Then they took pictures which was very cool to watch.

After that, I went back to the OR waiting area, got prepped and went in for the re-excision and the SNB. The blue dye part was done by the surgeon and I was under anesthesia by then. I had a blue stain on my breast for a while, and your urine will be bright blue at first.

As for down time, not much! I had minimal pain unless I tried to stretch. My overall functioning was not really impaired, and I went to work after a couple days. Range of motion was limited, but I could type and take care of all my household chores (dishes were tough since it was hard to lift the arm).

If you have activities that require lifting or strenous movement, you may need some help. But my advice is to assume the best....don't assume you will be laid up or incapacitaed. Prepare for it, just in case, but plan on a quick recovery. Ask the RN about stretches to do after surgery, tht will aid in recovery too. I just read an article in U of M's newsletter about fatigue and cancer, and exercising is key. Keep moving and keep busy, it will help you in the long run,....and of course, we'll be here for you!
Lori

Michelle-
My procedure was at the U too. Interesting about how they are doing it differently now.... it was a new procedure back in 2000 when I did it. It is hard to say about lifting your son...it might depend on how you lift him. Your strength will be limited in the right side, but your left should be good as gold. The other thing I recall is that certain movements used muscles that you may not have realized...like sitting up from a lying down position hurt my breast after surgery.

I would bet that you will be pretty mobile and active after surgery, just might have limited use of the arm. For me, that meant driving and working (desk job) were fine. So glad you feel positive.....once you find that groove, try to hang onto it. A positive attitude will serve you well.
Lori

Skyy, the injection of the dye is painful. Just grit and hold your breath and you get through it. Once the injection is over, you don't feel anything. Don't be alarmed if your urine is blue, for a while. It is just the dye. 

I had my lumpectomy on a Friday, with node dissection, and was out and about, attending a basketball game, on Sunday. Mastectomy and recon took a lot more recovery time, but I was out shopping on day 10. Wishing you an easy and speedy recovery.

Hi Michelle,
I have read everyone's response to your question about whether it hurts to have the dye injected for the sentinal node location and felt I needed to tell you what happened with me. The nurse gave me something in my IV to help me relax before they injected the dye, and I don't remember anything else. I heard my husband's voice asking if I was OK, because they told him it would take about 20 minutes, and it took an hour and a half. Anyway, maybe you could ask for a sedative of some sort...aren't we all going through enough pain as it is??? (PS...I hope you get this in time.)
Jean In WA