Hi all got my diagnosis on 31st August and having a lumpectamy on Friday , I have to have a Sentinal Node Probe on Thursday 5th as I need to have blue dye injected when they remove the lump and Lymph nodes. Just wondered if anyone else has had this procedure and if they could tell me how long your breast stays a blue colour for as I have been told it could be up to 12 months. Has anyone got any tips on sleeping at night as I keep having bad dreams and waking up then lying awake for hours with my mind working overtime , I try to read but its not helping got tablets off the doctor but they are making me tired in the day not on the night, my head feels like it might explode I am so anxious and when I talk to family and friends they tell me it will be ok but at this moment in time it doesn’t feel like it will.
Hello Angmi
Welcome to the forums, you’ve come to the right place for support as the users of this site have a wealth of experience and knowledge between them.
You may also find it useful to contact our free helpline on 0808 800 6000, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 – 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Angmi,
Can’t help on the blue dye as I didn’t have that procedure, but many of us know all too well the sleep deprivation. To be honest, when it’s all so new the stress and anxiety as well as the speed it all happens will be enough to cause nightmares and poor sleep - regrettably this is quite ‘normal’. It sounds like you are doing all the right things and if you feel tired in the day then just take a rest - something many of us have had to learn to do at various points in this journey. Some people find relaxation CDs help, others use anything from drinking cocoa to getiing a massage (care needed with oils/creams here if you find you are on chemo)… it seems to be all about experimentation I’m afraid.
You can and will get through all this, just be gentle with yourself.
Hugs
Hi Angmi,
I had the same procedure as you last Tuesday and it really isn’t that bad. I am having dressings removed this morning and going back to see consultant next Tuesday for my results. As for the blue dye I have been told it can remain for weeks if not months. Mine is definitely fading.
As for sleep, well I have forgotten what sleep is. I did go to GP to get some sleeping tablets but have managed withoout so far. I don’t want to get addicted to them. Our minds are in turmoil so no wonder we can’t rest.
I hope all goes well for your op and as RevCat says we will get through this.
Hi Angmi,
I’m a little ahead of you I had my op on the 25th August.Still have the blue patch and have had the oddly coloured wee etc, but no problems at all with it, it is fading a little now.I can’t say that any of the procedures I have had have been painful. A little uncomfortable maybe, but I haven’t taken a single pain killer since the op!!
Try not to worry too much (easy to say I know), have had a few sleepless nights myself and off later to get my results. I do find reading helps, along with a glass of wine or two!! I seem to have got in this habit of being really tired at about 9pm, scraping myself off the sofa and going to bed only to find I’m awake at 5am!!
It seems to be better when you have a treatment plan in place, its the waiting that gets you inbetween!!
I’m sure some other folks will be along soon with some more suggestions and info for you…
In the meantime, wishing you the very best of luck anyways and sending you a big hug,
Jude xx
hi,
sorry you are here to join us. at least its not that long to the op now.
you asked about the blue dye proceedure. Well i have a huge needle phobia, and after beeing silly enough to google and read horror stories on american websites I was in a right tizz abouti it. But it realy was not that big a thing. Its not actually into the nipple but the area round it. The needle is very small and the sensation is over quickly, a bit like a bee sting. Then you have to lay there for ages with the machine on top of you (not touching) whilst the die works it way up your breast to find the sential nodes. I only had two, some people have more. And you dont end up looking like a smurf, well i didnt, just a bluish hue to the nipple area.
as to lack of sleep, that is completely normal. You have been through so much lately and until you have the meeting with the doctor after the surgery to find out exactly what they found and what needs to be done about it you are still going to be anxious. I would get myself a mug of warm milk and read. I think choccie muffin is right. if at all possible get a sleep in the afternoon. Dont try and act as if everything is normal, because it isnt. If you look after yourself you will recover better from the op and be in a better condition to handle whatever treatment you need.
Hi
I had trouble sleeping when I came out of hospital - as all the other girls sa it is quite normal. I got tamazapan from the GP and it is more for anxiety/stress than sleeping tabs. I used to wake up 1.00am and couldn’t breathe properly. Not sure if this is what your using but the worked a treat for me. Even though I might have woken up in the night I still managed to go back to sleep and no drowiness in the morning.
Ginge x
Thanks for all your advice I have been for my pre op this morning and what a nightmare that was , Firstly they said they were expecting me in tomorrow 8th for an overnight stay , and I said no its the 9th as a day patient, then they said it was my left breast so I said no its my right !!! Fills me with confidence but hopefully after I have reminded them about 100 times before the op they ill remember ha ha .
Thanks again I cant tell you how much it has helped you replying and knowing I am not on my own with my thoughts and worries xxx
oh dear, it might be that there is someone else being treated there with the same name as you. I would make sure that everytime you see anyone at all you get them to check the name,date of birth and address on the notes they have in front of them. They are supposed to do it, but sometimes they forget. You can make a bit of a joke of it about you being a silly worrier if you dont want to sound confrontational.
oh well 2 days to go, do let us all know how you are getting on
Hello - I had my SNB done at the beginning of June (this year) my boob is still a rather pale shade of blue. I was offered music when they did the scan - I picked ABBA (hence my forum name) I was in and out of hospital the same day. Just make sure they mark the correct boob before you go down to theatre! Also - make sure you do the exercises after the op as I had some cording which was quite uncomfortable. Scar from the op is just a fading red line now.
Hi Angmi, had my SNB and WLE on 16th Aug. The waiting for the op, results, etc. is a real pain in the wotsit, but hopefully all will be good. I also had the blue dye procedure, and to be honest it just looks a bit greyish, definitely not the blue that I’d imagined, like some sort of glow in the dark job!!! Then for a few days after number 1 and 2 was a bit green, (hope that’s not too crude for you!!). I would definitely agree with all other offerings of advice and go with the flow and if you need to have that afternoon nap, do it, sometimes easier said than done I know. For some time I was trying to live in denial with my “I’m fine” attitude and yet having some sleepless nights. I finally gave in and admitted I was actually a bit worried!! I ended up getting some audiobooks that helped you to adopt relaxation techniques, whilst good and helped me to nod off, if I fell asleep with it still playing I then woke up during the early hours wondering who was talking!!!
I’m so glad I joined this site, because when I now have my outburst moments I can come on here and get the truth without feeling like I can’t say anything just in case I upset anyone or make friends and family feel awkward, as the folk on here really know what’s what!!!
Once you get your results and plan of action it really does give you a sigh of relief and does tend to make some sense of the topsy turvy world of BC. Good luck, take care of yourself and keep us up to date, everything crossed for you xxx
Hi Angmi
Im a good couple of years ahead of you…its rougher than rough where you are now but it will steadily get better. I lost 7lbs in 1 week waiting for this and that test to be done/reported on. Sleep was a thing of the past. But as the other ladies say once you have a treatment plan the flat spin you may feel you are in (I did) began to slow.
My boob stayed with some hint of blue for just over a year - it faded and faded…but my skin is quite pale.
As for sleeping - doc refused to give me anything but I did take Kalms and they did work.
I was off work 5 months and I guess 2.5 mths in I still couldn’t read a text…didnt have the skills to let go and get into the text. However I knitted a monkey for my daughter…the fact it was a"flat" thinking process released my mind - counting mechanically, something I could pick up and down.
My evil cancer voices, were always from my imaginary monkey screaming in my ear…I knitted him and my daughter has slept with him since. She helps keep him quiet.
Hadnt knitted in 20 years…nor since.
Love and empathy
Blessing
Good luck for tomorrow will be thinking of you.
Jean
Hi , I am 36 and just been diagnosed with breast cancer on the 6th sep 2011 , told it is early as only discovered the lump 3 weeks ago , 15mm in size …not that matters …I am struggling with this to be honest , I cant sleep, eat function …crying all the time cant look at my children …my op to remove this and to have the blue dye thing is not till 30 th …I don’t know how I am going to cope till then.I keep thinking Im going to die not see my children , been told this is the norm …Can anyone give me so advise …to how they are feeling how they have coped…Apparently my underarm scan was negative but they are still going to take lymph nodes out to test …im sooo scared .
Happygolucky,
I wish I could rub your back and give you 10min of headspace. Its vile. I lost 1/2 stone in a week when I was told.
Once your plan is agreed you should be able to focus more easily and organise your thoughts.I know we all react differently but I have read so many posts and we all seem to benifit from this.
I consealed it from my 8 and 11 year old, but the calls to my mum from behind shut bathroom doors made them anxious. Within the week I had come clean and they settled more, as I was honest.
They were/are posted on all the test dates and surgeries (presently 1 of 2 operations down for an LD partial reconstruction flap). They develop radar ears, and so things are discussed, all be it to protect them.
Please know all the ladies who post are thinking of you at this time.
Love and empathy.
Blessing.
Happygolucky I so understand what you are going through.
I was diagnosed 23rd June (will never forget THAT date).
They did the biopsy and I was told within in hour then wisked to the Mcmillan centre.
The following week I was told that it was non invasive, I needed a mastectomy (immediate recon) but no treatment.
I was so relieved.
Unfortunately after the op the histology concluded that there was a bit of invasive and grade 3 tho only 14mm. My nodes are clear.
I now need chemo.
I am in a state like you and with a young child.
However I have spoken to 2 girls who have been through it and they have coped brilliantly and come out the other end.
We have to do this as well and we will.
Big hugs.
Sarah xxxxxx
Hi all had my op yesterday cried when I had to say goodbye to my OH the nurses were lovely, The anethetist was lovely and gave me some tablets to relax me while I was waiting. Had the blue dye put in which didn’t really hurt just stung a bit then went to theatre. Op took 2 hrs and when I came around had some morphine to ease the pain.Head still feels a bit fuzzy today but the relief on knowing the lump has gone is great its just the waiting now , going back on 21st September and hopefully will get my treatment plan then.
Feeling a bit more positive today but I am sure before the 21st I will have a few wobbles.
I am finding it really difficult to function the waiting for the op is making me anxious , it isn’t while the end of the month …I feel so alone even though my family and friends are great.Just have moments were I forget then it hits me again like a ton of bricks.I am having the 15 mm lump removed they have said that my under arm scan was negative but still have to have blue dye thing …I keep thinking that it has spread , that I am going to die.Don’t know how I am goin to get through it let alone these three weeks …wish I could go away on my own cry and cry all I need then come back and face this …need to win the lotto first …Reading some of these as helped me but you still feel alone and scared.I would love to hear from ladies who have just been diagnosed and ladies who are a bit further to give me some advise on how to cope .I am 36 and have two children .
Hi Happygolucky I can understand and all I can say is you will get through it I know its scary and there were times I thought my head would explode I was so anxious. I went to the doctors who gave me some tablets they were not strong but they did take the edge off my anxiety for a bit. I found when people were saying stay positive you need to be strong that made me worse cos I thought well if I am not positive what happens then !!! I have read the McMillan books and joined this site and I have felt better. I know its awful waiting for the op cos you just want it out but I do feel a bit better now its gone its just waiting now to make sure its not spread.
Sending you a big hug xxx
Happygolucky
I think that we can all relate to how you are feeling.
I liken it to being in a glass box and everyone you know is outside waving in but you can’t get out.
I am in the pits of depair as well BUT I would say that it is great that your lump is so small (how did you find it?) and that scans on nodes seem clear. That is all very positive.Do you know what grade you are?
These forums are great but sometimes it does scare me to read peoples stories. But what we have to remember is that we are all different.
I bet like me you only feel human when you are on here?
My husband keeps telling me not to immerse myself in it all but it is so hard .
Do let me know how you are and how you get on and we will do this together.
Lots of love Sarah xxxxxxx