Wire localisation, isotope & blue dye

Public Archive
1

Hello everyone.

Thank you all so much for your help.

I am due to have a wire localisation in the morning of the day before my wle & slnb ± anc on 05 September.

I’m not sure what to expect from the procedure. Does anyone have any experience that they are willing to share? Is it painful? How did you manage with a wire for a whole day before your op? Is the wire at risk of moving?

I have all these questions & am a bit scared of the unknown.

I’m also having isotope & blue dye the day before my op (in the afternoon). I’m a bit scared and unsure what to expect with this too. Is this painful?

Thanks very much everyone & good luck.

2

Hi Poppywheel1

There should be some specific info on the procedure on the main site, but for personal experience here goes.

I had the wire localisation on the morning of the op rather than the day before, but like you I was a bit concerned that it would move. It doesn’t - they put a sticky dressing or something over it so it stays where they put it. I had my wire put in using the mammogram machine, so they can see exactly where to put it. While not painful as such, I am a real wuss about mammos anyway so before each procedure I ever had where I was going to have my boob clamped in (including routine 3 yearly mammos before)  I took 2 paracetamol about 1 and a half hours beforehand, and it is surprisingly effective. NOTHING with aspirin in though as that would thin the blood.I also had the isotope radioactive stuff put in on the day of the op - no pain there - just a tiny scratch like having a flu jab. I think the blue dye is what they put in during the op while you are under, so they can see the sentinel node or nodes that it drains to so they know which one(s) to take out. I too was confused when I had my procedures, as i thought the blue dye was the same as the isotope but it isn’t.There is such a lot of new information to take in, it is like learning a foreign language isn’t it? I’m 8 months on from my WLE and SNB and can hardly remember it all, but recovery was quick and I’ve had 2 foreign holidays since then after rads ended, so be assured, the unknown will soon be knwn, and not half as scary as we think it will be in advance! I thought I’d be reclining for days in front of the DVDs after my op, looking weak and feeble: I wasn’t! Up and about and apart from not overusing the arm on the op side, feeling pretty good. All the very best of luck with it all.xxxxx

3

Hi Poppywheel -welcome to the forum .I found that they don’t really explain these procedures to you in advance do they so you don’t know what to expect and there so much to take in anyway .I had radioactive injection day before - just a sharp pin prick in boob then a scan an hour later to make sure it had worked.It was very straightforward .I had guide wire put in on the morning of op -was a bit like having core biopsy -wire inserted whilst boob in mammogram machine they give you local anaesthetic ,it is uncomfortable but doesn’t take too long .I have heard of people having wire put in several days before and it not causing too much of a problem - it is only a very small section left exposed .Good luck -let us know how you get on .Jill.

4

Hi
I had my wle and slnb last Wed. I had my wire inserted 8am followed by isotope injection. It didnt hurt at all but Im not needle sensitive. I went to the theater at 11am, was back to the main suit 12.45am. No painkillers for me. The pain is really manageble. Now 5 days after Im almost back to normal. Ive got very strange like pins and needles feeling to my arm and breast but no pain. The breast is still a bit swallen and blue but other than that I must say the surgon did a good job. Good luck and all the best.

When I woke up after surgery the first word I heard was – OMG you are so blue like a smurf ?

5

Yes yes all inclusive for me: skin, tears, wee and poo ?

6

Hi All,

Thank you so much for your replies.

I’m still feeling apprehensive about the wire localisation and dye/isotope injections but I think I just need to be brave!

It’s just that not knowing what the procedure involves that makes me scared, especially as I’ll be awake for both the wire localisation and isotope & dye injections!

Two weeks to go!

My boob has been feeling really achey the last couple of days. I have it in my head that it’s because the cancer is spreading, but I think that’s just me being over imaginative!

I have a grade 3 IDC.

Thank you everyone, and good luck with your journeys.

7

Poppy, it’s fine. As ever, the mind goes into overdrive, but it really is quite straightforward & not painful.
The staff will look after you. Those who did mine were lovely.
ann x

8

Hi my wife just had isotope injection tonight ( bout 4ish) she was ok with it but lot of pain so been given her paracetamol as and wen, big day tomorrow she has op and blue die. It’s horrible to see the person you love with all your heart in pain and there’s nothing I can do other than be there and cuddle her.
Keep strong everyone xx

9

Thanks jencat just finding it difficult at the moment I no I’ll be strong for her but at mo it seems alot if info that I can’t get my head around suppose after the op and we get results and a treatment plan things will be more in focus.
Keep strong xx

10

Thanks Chaffinch she’s just got home after her lumpectamy and she’s tired and worn out the long road starts now she didn’t sleep well last night and I was up and down stairs for her water and painkillers but she eventually got some sleep. Bit more perky this morning but bit worried about the dressing it’s been bleeding a bit but hopefully won’t get infected. Will be ringing breast care nurse this morning for bit of advice.
Stay strong xx love to everyone

11

Good that she is home and ok Paulie any worries about anything post op ring up and check it out with BC nurse or the ward she was on.

12

Yes I will jill1998 at the moment her sister is here who is a nurse ? so at least she’s in good hands while I am at work. But still worry, think that’s my job atm ?
Stay strong xx

13

She is lucky to have a partner who cares so much .And to have a sister who is a nurse !!!

14

Hi jencat she doing really well thanks very tired and sore but better than I expected. Just the wait now for results ? god knows why it takes 2 weeks. She got some lovely flowers from work which made her smile and the biggest smile was our son passing all his GCSEs ? so yes all in all she’s a lot happier.
Keep strong everyone xx

15

Hi Paulie,
So glad to hear your wife’s doing well & congratulations on your son’s gcse’s, That’s a lovely distraction for you all.
2 weeks is standard, I’m afraid, it goes to the lab & has to be reported, so that is usually just how it is.
Anyway, thank goodness its out now, so it helps to do some nice things & keep yourselves distracted over the next 2 weeks.
ann x

16

Good morning Paulie
Im 10 days after my wle & snb and doing really well just a little bit bruised. What bothers me now is the coming result day (Wed 30.08). Always the waiting is the worst. Just want to say well done to your son for passing GCSE. You must be really proud mummy. X