Severe reaction to op - Why me?

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Went in on Monday as a day care patient for what I thought was a rountine op to remove my lump, tissue and 1st lymph node - when they opened me up I had a severe reaction to something so they had to end the op without doing anyting and I’ve ended up in Intensive care as my whole body as swollen up in particular my hands and face (I look and feel like an elephant has walked on my face)! Has this happened to anyone else or am I just very unlucky? Done some tests and I have to go back Friday but mentioned they may have to leave the op and start me straight on chemo, very scared as to me the op is about getting this ‘thing’ out of my body, I’m a complete mess (again). X

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Oh heavens Knoxybabes…poor you. Was this the first time you’ve had an op? I’m afraid I don’t have any experience of bad reactions but just wanted to give you a massive hug!

Twinky x x

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Oh,Knoxybabes,

We dont do things by half do we?

I wondered if the doctors have shed any light on what may have happened?
Do they think you were allergic to something they gave you, and so can avoid having that particular drug again in the future?
Hopefully you’ll get some answers on Friday,

Hugs to you at this tough time ((()))

Truddles xxx

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HI Knoxybabes, sorry to hear your predicament, but don’t worry too much quite a few of us had chemo before surgery and its fine,at least it’s a start to getting the ‘thing’ sorted out. Hope your feeling a little better very soon.
Jean

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I came on to post about you, Knoxy, but you have beat me to it!

Here’s sending positive vibes from across town.

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I hope you are ok now, and have recovered from the shock of all this trauma. My friend was supposed to have an operation at the local hospital. She woke up 2 days later in ITU in the big teaching hospital! She was alergic( they did not know at the time) to a chemical which is in the anaesthesia ( not too sure on spelling) The allergic reaction was bad and they almost lost her. She went back to the teaching hospital a few months later where they gave her a different mix of anaesthetic and all was absolutely fine. Good Luck!xxx

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Hi All and many thanks for all your kind messages. I’ve had 2 operations previously (gall bladder and appendix) both without any probs at all - I’m just really hoping it is an allergic reaction to something and they can then find out what and go ahead with the op - I just hate the thought of this ‘thing’ still inside me and still growing, can’t get my head round it all to be honest. Keep thinking what if it’s not an allergic reaction, will just chemo sort me out or do I defo need the op?? Back to crying all the time and a mess yet again! My poor hubby is really, really struggling as well, really upset (think Monday scared the life out of him to be honest) but I WILL beat this, wont I?

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Hi Knoxybabes

I am sorry to read that you are having such a difficult time, please don’t forget you can call our helpline for further support if you feel it would help.
The lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 9-2 Sat on 0808 800 6000

Take care
Lucy

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Hello

When I had my WLE and SNB they did say that some people have an allergic reaction to the blue dye they use for the Sentinal Node Biopsy.

Anne

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Many thanks Anne, to be honest I am hoping (and praying) that it is the dye so my op can still go ahead, very bad reaction though but hopefully they can work around it - many thanks. Jo

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hello

really sorry this happened to you. It’s really horrid and sounds a lot like my reactions to chlorahexadin (the stuff they clean you and the operating theatre with).
My first reaction was after the op in recovery. Next time when having chemo (on the needles and every where including me wiped with it)then in next op.
I went for allergy testing and had very quick reaction so now am epi penned and anthehistamin tableted up whenever I go anywhere. There are alternatives but the medical staff just need to be aware.
I would push for urgent testing so that you can find out what your allergen is, fingers crossed for the dye as that would be easiest. Nag your GP and see what your BCN can do.I was bumped in very quickly so they could get on with my treatments…

Good luck and I’m really, really sorry this happened.

x x x x

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Thanks KatieF, I’m going to see the surgeon tomorrow and she said all she will be able to tell me is if it has been an allergic reaction and if it is then they will have to refer me to Manchester to find out exactly what it is I’m allergic to - as I say I’m hoping and praying it is an allergic reaction then at least the op can be re-scheduled. I will let you / all know tomorrow so fingers crossed till then I suppose! Many thanks though for your comforting words. Take care. Jo

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Hello Jo,
I’m sorry to hear about your horrible experience - this is all tough enough without extra problems thrown in. I just wanted to send you a hug and hope that they find the cause of your reaction very quickly so that you can get on with fighting this disease. As others have said, a lot of women have their chemo first and then surgery
so don’t be worried by that.
Sending you love and hugs,
Kathleen

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Hi Jo

I had an allergic reaction to the diclofenac (small brown tab) that they gave me along with paracetamol just before op and afterwards.

It caused swelling and numbness in my leg after the op.

Some others on here have had same experience of swelling with the stuff so may be worth mentioning.

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Good luck Jo,

they found out very quickly with me at the allergy clinic. Ask for a print out of your notes from the op re all the drugs etc you had, that’s what delayed my answer the most as the allergy bods wanted to review all so they could make an informed decision re what to test for allergic response first.
Testing day they had a short list of suspected things to test and it was the second thing, all sorted within 2 hours and then back on with getting over the crappy C treatments.

Fingers crossed it gets sorted and you can move on quickly x x x

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Thanks everyone, I’m defo having chemo first hospital have rang me to say that after a meeting they have decided that my reaction was to severe and my body won’t tolerate another op just yet but as it’s grade 3 they want to start me on chemo so going in tomorrow for a staple to be put in the tumour (I presume this is incase the chemo reduces the tumour) and they know where it is when they come to operate? Brain all over and forget to ask but will ask tomorrow!