The class was very informative but also a bit overwhelming!
As far as I know I am having a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. The sentinal node is looked at during surgery and if necessary I will have an axillary dissection. Given chemo has gone so well I am thinking the dissection won't happen, I really hope so anyways.
I was told they will be putting a thin flexible wire in the lump area and also in the sentinel node before surgery, so the surgeon can find it quickly. They will use an ultrasound to guide this procedure and will do a mammogram after to check placement. I also need to have dye injected for the sentinal node biopsy.
The surgery itself will be an hour and a half and then I will go to a recovery room for probably another hour or so. Then I go to an inpatient unit and then home.
I will have two incisions, one for the lump and one for the armpit, and there will be dissolvable stitches covered by steri strips and gauze. I will have to monitor for infection and I have a bunch of arm exercises to do to ensure I keep mobility in my arm and shoulder.
I have to wear a bra with no underwire for 1-2 weeks. The incision should be healed within 2 weeks.
I am hoping as I am still young I will bounce back quickly from this. I am not looking forward to losing my mobility again, as I am just getting into exercising. But it must be done!
