You’ll probably have the sentinel node biopsy done at the same time as surgery where they inject a radioactive isotope near the original tumour site about an hour before surgery and in theatre will trace where the breast fluid drains into and will likely remove those nodes where the fluid drains into. Those will then be tested in the lab. The surgeons may well use a blue dye as well to trace the lymph fluid if the isotope doesnt give off a strong enough signal. Be aware that if the blue dye is used then it can stain the breast for a length of time but the surgeons will no doubt tell you all about it.
In my case the signal was strong and no blue dye was needed so no blue boob for me! Luckily fluid just drained to my first sentinel node which was removed during surgery and the lab results showed I had a small micromet in it (which they classed as a negative node as some Health Trusts do) but apparently no further treatment i.e. radiotherapy will be done to the area.
Bit of advice to all ladies having surgery…make sure you do the breast exercises that will be given to you. They help with getting movement back into the area and really do help.
Thanks for the tip,Will make sure to do the exercises
I had my pre op assessment today and they were explaining about the blue dye and said that 50% of people also turn blue looking for up to 24 hours ?? so to warn whoever is picking me up that could look blue or possibly grey ? wonder if i will turn blue lol xx
Ladies when did you start to loss your eyelashes and eyebrows
My friend give me eyegel to use and my eyebrows and eyelashes are still hanging in there. Eyebrows have thined alot but still have some same as eyelashes.
I didn’t put the name of it on the page incase it didn’t work but if you know anyone you has been diagnosed if might be useful to them. You start using it about 3 weeks before chemo …
My eyelashes and brows hung on right until last cye of chemo and see to have been getting very thin since since. Ive heard a lot of people say the lashes can go after chemo finished fingers crossed the gel has worked though and you wont lose them completely
That’s me just had my first herceptin injection in the leg, took about 5 mins and is stingy on first couple bits going in but ok after that. Being kept here to be observed for an hour now xx
Yes I drove home after it. Thanks Rabbit, first couple bits that went in stunf but then was ok and no pain since or any side effects yet, fingers crossed it stays that way xx
Hi cathsin, hows your temperature doing? Hope it’s coming down for you ?? and you get get home today ??glad you got to a&e and kept yourself safe ??please keep us posted on how you are ??shi xx
Neuts have dipped as expected but not too low as yet . Got to have 24 hours without s spike in temp before they will step down the treatment apparently. Just so tired x
Cathsin ??hope you still have your own room and have been able to get a bit of sleep, it’s difficult when you are having temperature taken at all hours, so try and make some sleep up as you can. ???That temp starts behaving and you can get home tomorrow, I know you want to go ???but safer to be there till everything ok, you are ???and you’ve got dr antibiotics ???it now too. ???shi xx
fingers crossed the gel has worked though and you wont lose them completely
