Needles, dye, mammograms, more needles, and more blue dye… this is my pre-surgery story:

The day before my surgery, I headed to the nuclear medicine department (sounds scary, huh?) to have images taken of my sentinel lymph nodes so my surgeon would know which ones to remove during my lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy.  The doc and nurse team explained that my breast would be injected with a dye that would make it’s way to the lymph nodes (sentinel node mapping) and two hours later I would get images taken – basically a dye and run but be sure to come back situation.  The doctor said the procedure would feel like a bee sting. Ummm… I have never been stung by a bee! What does that mean?? I had another mild panic attack when the doc couldn’t use the ice pack to slightly numb the area first.  

Breathe girl, just breathe.

I barely felt the needle, but as soon as the dye started flowing… OMG, it brought the heat.  It’s strange to describe the feeling as ‘a boob on fire’, however, it literally felt like my boob was on fire – it stung like hell.  The doctor asked if he should stop for a bit, thinking I may need a minute. I insisted he just continue, it was painful but bearable.  My eyes watered and I shed a little tear as I held my husband’s hand. So this was why the nurse insisted she get my family members from the waiting room (I thought to myself).  Eventually the fire fizzled and a few minutes later, it was over. I could finally breathe.

My hubby, mom and I went for a quick bite and returned two hours later.  Taking those images were super quick and painless. I laid on a table with part of a giant camera-type machine (I really have no idea what these things are called) directly over my face and chest; 10 minutes later, poof.. Images taken and ready for my surgeon.  

>>>>>>>>>

It was now the morning of my surgery aka lumpectomy day!  But first, more dye?!

Because the chemo had done it’s poisonous magic, my surgeon requested I have a needle/wire localization procedure done right before the surgery.  When placed correctly, this helps the surgeon find the exact location of the tumor, or in my case, where the tumor was to remove the surrounding tissue. Going into this appointment, I had originally thought they were going to use an ultrasound machine to guide the needle in place (after a lot of numbing, of course), but nope.. It needed to be done by mammography.

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccccck…

Since I fasted for the surgery, I needed to be seated so not to faint, which made the process even more difficult for me and the two techs.  They were both so sweet, patient and understanding. They called out words of encouragement and tried their very best to not put me through too much stress right before the surgery.  The paddle scraped against my chest and squished my boob so hard, I yelped out in pain. In the end, we both gave it our all, them not to hurt or pinch me too much and me to position my chest snuggly against the machine and to keep still.   

After repositioning about 5 times, we finally got it. Once they find the right position, I can’t tell you how important it is to not move an inch.  I stayed as still as possible as they called the radiologist and resident for the actual procedure. They numbed my breast which stung like hell (again).. Luckily this stuff works fast and after the first two pokes, I didn’t feel the others.  The doc and resident checked my positioning and of course since my blood dripped everywhere, I started slipping out of the paddle. They repositioned me once more and told me they were going to place the needle. I couldn’t feel much but a weird grinding/pressure feeling deep down in my breast… it felt uncomfortable, but bearable.  They took an image and decided it was not in the position and needed to start again.  SAY WHAT??

They removed the needle and I felt that uncomfortable pressure feeling once again. They took a few more images, made a few adjustments to the needle and with one last image, a sigh of relief and burst of excitement from the radiologist, “We got it! and it’s in perfect position!!” “You did so great!”  They walked over and injected my breast with a blue dye – something to guide the surgeon to the correct lymph nodes. With that done, the radiologist and resident were gone. I was left with the two amazing techs who assisted and stayed by my side with their kind words and positive vibes throughout this whole ordeal.  They pushed the flexible needle against my chest and bandaged me up. They thanked me for being so patient with them and I thanked them for their encouragement.

It was now time for my next step.. What my anxious thoughts were all leading up to.  And my fab transportation to take me there waited just outside the mammography room doors…