Surgery Stories
 

Hi All:

I am a week past my final chemo treatment and just scheduled surgery. It goes without saying I will not miss chemo one bit ;)

I am having a lumpectomy w/wire localization and a sentinal node biopsy. I have never been under general anestesia and the entire thing is a bit overwhelming. I would love it if you all would share your experiences with this type of surgery and any advice.

Did you do anything to prepare for surgery?
What was done pre-surgery?
How long was your surgery?
How long were you in the hospital?
How painful was the recovery period?
How long before you felt fully recovered?

As always, thank you everyone for giving me a place to ask :)

Re: Surgery Stories
 

Ginny - I had bi-lateral mastectomies so we have some difference in the surgery but some things are always the same. There's not much to do ahead of time but try to get emotionally ready whichis also tough. The anesthesia wasn't bad for me - just going to sleep and waking up really groggy. I didn't feel too bad right after and stayed overnight with the bi-lateral. You may not stay overnight if you do well with the lumpectomy. Some of the other ladies may help more but if you have a drain or sometimes more than one, I had someone tell me to get a length of ribbon around 24-30" or so, tie a knot in it and keep in in or near the shower. I could just put it over my head and pin the drains to it and shower away. Was one of the best ideas I had given to me. Pain wasn't bad at all - Tylenol after 48 hrs was all I needed. Sleeping was a little uncomfortable. Another friend gave me a little baby (or travel) pillow which I still use and I propped pillows under both sides so I would sleep on my back. My sweet husband did most of the dressing changes and that was really helpful. I'm sure someone with lumpectomy experience will be more helpful but I think you'll find the dread before surgery is worse than the surgery itself. Good luck and I'll keep you in my prayers for a good result on the sentinel node biopsy, too.

Re: Surgery Stories
 

First, let me congratulate you on the completion of the chemo. You've made it!

We all understand the anxiety you are feeling before a scheduled surgery. Even though the article below is long http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lumpe...article_em.htm

rest be assured that the procedure (of a lunpectomy)will take but a few hours.

The hospital should be giving you some printed information about how to prepare for the surgery. I've always been told to shower with antibacterial soup (such as Dial) before reporting at the hospital. You might want to ask if there's a class available and/or a nurse practitioner who can answer pre- and post- surgical questions.

Going into a surgery often brings on a 'lonesome' feeling since we are the only one lying on the operation table. But knowing that the problem will be taken care of and the cancer will be gone when I wake up gives me a 'good' feeling about it. [Ah, I've forgotten how frightened I was before my first brain surgery... :)]

You can also use the 'Search' button to look for past discussions on any subject/question that comes to your mind. 'Waiting' is always the hardest part.

Re: Surgery Stories
 

Thank you ladies for the great insight :)

Re: Surgery Stories
 

Hi Ginny:
I had the same sequence of treatment, so you go into surgery already being tired from chemo, and then you head into rads. I can tell you though, surgery and rads are really easy compared to chemo and you will just feel better and better. Lump/SNB is not a difficult surgery (I had a re exision also, which is very common, and also not a big deal.) It's not nothing, but on the scale of surgeries this is very mild. Also, cosmetic results are usually very good.
The main advice I have is to begin stretching right afterwards -- follow the exercises they give you and then work slowly and gradually (you will probably be too tired to do much else) into a regular exercise routine. Don't expect not to have any change of sensation (numbness, etc) in the surgery site, but it should be very small.
Good luck. Congrats on getting this far! Just follow your surgeon's instructions on prepping for surgery and try to relax (listen to music, do imaging, have a massage, etc.)
The hardest part is over. Good luck.
Linda
PS. My surgery was over 5 years ago! I'm doing great.

Re: Surgery Stories
 

Your surgeon or surgery center will give you some instructions about how to prepare for surgery. They usually suggest that a person stop all medicines and supplements that can thin the blood, for example, asprin, vitamin E and vitamin C several days or a week before the surgery. There may be other instructions.
Either before or after surgery they will give you some written instructions about how to take care of yourself after the surgery.
Ask your surgeon to give you an estimate about how long the surgeon is expected to take and to describe the surgery to you, so you will know what he or she is planning to do. The surgeon should be able to show you where he or she is planning to do the incisions.
Anethesia is usually calculated by the patient's weight and height. The kinds of drugs choosen are up to the anethesiologist. Be sure to ask to talk to that person before the surgery. You will have an opportunity to tell that person you have never had general anethesia before and give that person information about your health problems and allergies. It might be a good idea to bring a list of all medications and supplements you are taking to the surgery center with you and give it to the anethesiologist and surgeon. It is easier to just give them a list instead of trying to remember everything on a day your might be a little nervous.
Good luck. Take good care of yourself.

Re: Surgery Stories
 

Hello Ginny,
Congratulations on finishing chemo. You will find the surgery much easier. I had a lumpectomy and SNB and the wire. General anestesia, sometimes the dr. will give a mild sedative prior to relax you. The anestesia is painless and once they administer the drug you will feel
sleepy in a few seconds, it is very fast. For the most part you will feel a bit drugged when the nurses begin to wake you. You will feel like you want to rest. But the drug wears off rather soon. I went home the same day from surgery. You will not be able to drive and you will not feel like doing much. The wire is a little uncomfortable while they insert but not painfull - more annoying for a few min. than anything else. They will take an x ray to check that the wire is in the correct place and position.
Usually you are not permitted to drink or eat before the surgery or the morning of the surgery.

The surgery is not painfull - you may feel some soreness in the area - for the most part you will not be in pain.
I also took tylenol when I got home. I did not have any swelling or arm issues as far as movement. SNB was very easy. The longest part for me was waiting to go into the surgery room. I got to the hospital at 6 AM and did not go into surgery until noon. After my surgery I was moved to a recovery room and about 2.5 later I was leaving to go home. They check your vitals and if your blood pressure is normal and you feel okay you are released. I did stay home from work the next day but was well enough to go the next day. Hope this helps.

I wish you all the best and please let us know how you are.

Hugs,
Jean

Re: Surgery Stories
 

All I can add is make sure the surgeon writes an rx for painkillers for you for when you wake up. If there is no rx on file, the hospital will not be able to give you anything without an rx from the surgeon. I was stuck in this situation and was lucky that my surgeon's office manager was still in the office and able to call in an rx for me to my local pharmacy. I then had to make the ride in the car from the hospital to the pharmacy, feeling every single bump in the road, and walk in groggy to pick up my rx. I didn't need the meds for long, but for right after, you will need something.

Best of luck to you with your procedure,

Hopeful

Re: Surgery Stories
 

Hi All:

My surgery was a week ago and I wanted to follow up on my experience.

Everyone at the hospital was really great. The wire localization was not painful and went pretty quickly. I also had the shot of radioactive tracer the night before, followed by a scan so they could find my sential node.

The day of the surgery the anestesiologist came to pre-op and chatted with my husband and I was was great about explaining everything. I really appreciated this as the general anestesia was a new experience for me and I was very nervous. He gave me valium in an IV immediately, then I went into the operating room. I will always remember him putting a mask over my face and saying, "take a couple of deep breaths for me"...that was it and I was out :) Woke up very groggy, but went out for a sandwich after leaving the hospital that afternoon.

I had 3cm of tissue at the site of my tumor removed and they also took 3 lymph nodes.

I am still sore and bruised and I am anxiously waiting for the results from pathology. But overall it was not as hard as I expected.

Re: Surgery Stories
 

Hi Ginny,
I am so glad your surgery went well and hope you get great results from the Pathology Report.
You are a strong person to endure this.
Hugs and prayers,
Kris....