I have my radioactive isotope injection tomorrow and surgery on Tuesday. Pretty anxious about it as I’ve never had an operation or general anaesthetic before. Just wondering…what is the isotope injection like? Is it just a normal quick needle and then home? Also, after my lumpectomy, will i have to do injections at home to prevent blood clots? Thank you
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Hi @bluesatsuma
Isotope injection like all vaccinations, a little uncomfortable while happening and fine after. It didn’t take long at all. I had a first time hernia op in June and was really nervous- especially as this was not essential. As with all these things, the waiting is the worst, once it’s time to go down to theatre it’s good to get on with it. The second time in Oct for WLE and SNB the waiting was still hard but just glad to get the tumor out so easier to deal with. Make sure you drink lots of water up to the time you have to stop and then start again as soon as you can. It really helps do the required wee so you can be discharged.
Good luck
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With the radioactive injection , they give you the injection in your boob which stings a bit then they ask you to come back in a couple of hours to check that that it has found it’s way to the sentinel nodes and showed them clearly .Re injections I had lumpectomy and didn’t need to take blood thinning injections - I think it depends how long your operation takes and also how mobile you are likely to be after the op . Good luck for Tuesday - you will feel a great sense of relief after the op .
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Hi bluesatsuma
You’re bound to be anxious. Nothing prepares you for this.
For me, the injection into my nipple felt like a sharp bee sting. It didn’t carry on stinging after the injection and I went home straight afterwards.
I have not heard of anyone having injections at home following a lumpectomy. I had to wear support stockings (provided) for a couple of weeks, but that was all.
Remember, women are having this procedure every day, all over the world. You are in experienced hands, people who want to take good care of you.
Let us know how you get on.
xx
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Thank you @elsie1. I didnt know about the wee before you can leave rule! I want to get home to the kids so will up my fluids now! Good advice. Hope you are all better now x
Thank you @Jill1998. I didnt realise I’d have to go back. I’ll have to find a coffee shop! Thanks for the advice. I’m hoping I wont have to have those blood thinning injections as i am relatively mobile and healthy. Thanks and hope you are on the mend x
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@Alwaysachoice_1 thank you! That sounds very positive. I will hopefully have a similar experience. Just so nervous of all this medical stuff as its so new to me. I appreciate the advice and hope you are now well. X
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I had lumpectomy 4 weeks ago.
Things I wish I knew :
Pain appears to get better, then gets worse again, don’t stop taking the painkillers for a few weeks.
A burning, chafing, soreness under the arm feeling is really common, it’s nerve damage, can take weeks or months to go. Mines nearly gone at 5 weeks. Feels worse in the evening responds well to cold packs.
The size of the scar belies the magnitude of the surgery, be super kind to yourself for a good few weeks.
Do shoulder exercises from this or Macmillan website ASAP. As nearly all lumpectomy folk need radiotherapy as a minimum and will need to be able to get arms above head.
Good luck and remember, it will pass xxxx
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Hi I found the isotope injection fine jyst a quick sting , had mine in hospital morning of my surgery , had blood thinning injection in hospital asked if I was active which I am didn’t need them at home
Just make sure you get up move a bit every so often . Good luck
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They may just ask you to wait a short while in the department , I think they had quite a few patients the day I was there .
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Thank you @Vibby. Thats really helpful info. I keep telling my self that its a tiny op and a tiny scar but i really have no idea. Plus I’m a terrible patient so I won’t rest afterwards. Currently cleaning the house and washing everything to minimise housework next week. Got all the kids uniforms ready and made sausage rolls for lunchboxes! To be honest, I need it to hurt a bit or I will rush and do too much too soon. Glad your recovery is going well. X
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Thanks @charlottebee. I’m sure I’m building it up in my head. Hopefully I’ll be brave! Glad you are recovering well. I will be doing my exercises after x
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Thanks again @Jill1998. I’ll take a book just in case! I feel like tomorrow is the proper start of my treatment. Hope that recovery goes well x
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@bluesatsuma
I have last 2 radio sessions Monday and Tuesday. No real side effects so far 
. Keep us posted with how you go on.
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@elsie1 that’s amazing! Almost there! I hope my treatment plan goes like that too. From diagnosis to your last radiotherapy, how long has it been? Let us know how you get on. X
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@bluesatsuma
Hi again, found lump, doctor 2/10, breast clinic - mammogram, US & biopsies 4/10. Results 14/10, WLE + SNB 27/10. Surgical follow up 21/11, oncologist 19/12, rads planning 20/12, started rads 17/1 for 5 sessions. All seemed to go fast to surgery but then lots of waiting for results and sample sent for oncotyping DX . Was great to finally get to rads - not sure if the 4 week wait was due to Christmas, strikes, capacity 
. Everyone has a different time line so just have to get used to waiting.
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@elsie1 pretty fast though really. I am expecting a wait after op for results. Reckon I could be all done by march/april providing oncotype is low and I dont need chemo. Fingers crossed anyway. Thanks and good luck with last bit. You’ve cheered me up to know the end could be in sight. X
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I had my injection. In and out in 2 minutes and it didnt hurt at all. Surgery tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice.
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Good luck for tomorrow
Xx
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