# Lumpectomy today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 12, 2008, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666 "2008-06-12T09:46:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/41 "2008-06-13T05:56:23Z")
Thinking of you, **ivylass**. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/42 "2008-06-13T06:20:12Z")
Good luck, **ivylass**. Side note: The wife had her annual mammogram a week or two ago and preliminary results look good. She’ll get the details soon, but the doctor expects no problems. I encourage other ladies to get that mammogram today. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/43 "2008-06-13T10:01:11Z")
😃 We got to the hospital at 6:30a, as per instructions, and went to same day surgery. There was no one at the front desk, so we waited about five minutes until some nurse running around in the back noticed us and gave us the sign-in sheet. I was on a very tight schedule, as I had two other places to go before they put me under. At 5 'til 7, they still hadn’t called me, and I was due in nuclear medicine at 7:30a. Ivylad and I went up to the desk, reminded them, they verified it on the chart, and next thing I know, they’re calling my name. I go back, undress my top, and they give me this gown called Bear Paws, which hooks up to a hose so you can blow warmer or cooler air over yourself. I thought that was neat. My nurse inserts the IV needle, then I get wheeled down to nuclear medicine. The day before, the radiologist had given me a \*lovely \* bee-sting type injection under my left nipple (yes, it stung, and yes, I hollered) to track which lymph nodes they were going to remove. In the old days, they used to take all of them, because they weren’t sure which ones would show the cancer, but now, they can find out which lymph nodes are most likely to contain cancer cells, should the cancer cells migrate from the breast. Three lit up like Christmas trees from the radiation, so those were the sentinel nodes. Then, off to mammography, where the same radiologist (she’s cool, very thorough, and had apologized all over herself for the injection on Wed) inserted needles, then wires, so the surgeon could follow them to the tumor, the pre-cancerous lesion, the hinky part on Righty, and the nodes. That wasn’t too bad…the injection of lidocaine stung a bit, but not as bad as the lymph node injection. Then, it was back to surgery, where they hooked up my IV to some anti-bacterial solution. Now, here’s the irksome part. I was told by my surgeon’s nurse that my surgery would be at 12:30p. I found out that was wrong, that it had been scheduled for 2p. So, I’m back at surgery, buck naked under a warming gown, no food, no water except for some ice chips, no coffee, and anxious to get this thing started. By now, Ivylad’s mother and sisters had arrived, so I had visitors, and the nurse was nice enough to bring me a TV, but still…I was tired and hungry, and the lidocaine was starting to wear off and my armpit needle was starting to give me concern. About 12:30p, my surgeon showed up and said I had been moved up to 1pm. I hadn’t been under general anasthesia since I had my tonsils out when I was 9, so I was a bit nervous about that. The anasthesiologist came by, asked me a bunch of questions, and I got my injection of Versed. The family comes in to say good-bye, I’m wheeled into the operating room, they put a mask over my face…and boom, next thing I know, I’m in another room, waking up. The doctor said everything went well, they got everything out that they wanted to, and I should be able to go home. I was a bit dizzy at first, but I eventually got dressed and was wheeled out to the car. My SIL had dropped off my pain prescription when she left, so Ivylad took me home and ran out and got it. It’s Tylox, oxycodone and aceteminophan (sp)? I tried drinking water when I got home, but that came back up. Then Ivylad gave me some saltines and ginger ale with my pill, and I went off to sleep. So, I’m a bit wobbly, but no more nausea, the pain isn’t noticeable (I’ll keep taking the pills to keep it unnoticeable) and I intend to be thoroughly lazy for the next few days. **Next up…June 19, results from the lab!** ---
**Author:** ![velvetjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/44 "2008-06-13T10:31:22Z")
Goodbye Mr. Lump! Glad everything went well. Waiting a week for results sounds like torture. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/45 "2008-06-13T10:39:34Z")
Not really. I’ll be home from work for that time, and they’ve already determined through body scans the rest of me is okay…it’s just to see if I will need radiation or radiation and chemo. The Tylox is kicking in…I think I’ll toddle back to bed. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/46 "2008-06-13T12:35:50Z")
Glas to hear everything went well. Just take it easy and rest, **ivylass**. We’ll be thinking of you. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/47 "2008-06-13T12:52:59Z")
[QUOTE=neutron star] Good luck, **ivy**. Hope you get some killer pain meds! 😃 [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=ivylass] My SIL had dropped off my pain prescription when she left, so Ivylad took me home and ran out and got it. It’s Tylox, oxycodone and aceteminophan (sp)? [/QUOTE] All right! Good stuff. So glad to hear everything went okay. Sleep well. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/48 "2008-06-13T13:15:11Z")
Glad to hear it went well. Now you just relax and enjoy those drugs! ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/49 "2008-06-13T13:30:01Z")
I’m glad your delumpification went so well! I wish you a speedy recovery. Spend this week enjoying the dope… both the messageboard and the pain meds. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/50 "2008-06-13T13:36:47Z")
Glad it went as smoothly as it could, minus the extra waiting for surgery. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/51 "2008-06-13T15:19:00Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > the pain isn’t noticeable (I’ll keep taking the pills to keep it unnoticeable) This is the best strategy; it’s much easier to stay on top of the pain than to get it under control again once it gets out of hand! Glad to hear everything went smoothly! I’ll be looking for an update next week. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/52 "2008-06-13T17:13:04Z")
> [@](#): > > no coffee That would make me stabby. Take it easy and keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/53 "2008-06-13T18:48:07Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m back, somewhat lighter Well, you _were_ trying to lose weight… 😃 I’m glad it went smoothly, and hope you get wonderful lab results. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/54 "2008-06-13T20:58:19Z")
Congratulations on a successful procedure! Please take it nice and easy this weekend! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/55 "2008-06-13T22:20:25Z")
Either the anesthesia hasn’t completely worn off, or those pain pills are doing their job…because I’m not in pain. Oh, I don’t want to hit the gym or anything, but I did take a shower and have a light lunch of fruit and cheese. I’m allowed to take the Tylox every four hours, but I haven’t needed to…I’m taking them about every six. I figure I’ll take one before bed…and just continue to take it easy. I’m just worried I’ll wake up tomorrow and go oh holy shit, this is why Dr. J gave me the pain pills. So far, nothing yet. Knock on wood. I did learn something I wish I hadn’t. I was told to get completely undressed for the surgery. I asked the nurse why, since they were going to be operating on the top part of me. She hemmed and hawed, said they don’t like anything constricting, then she said, "Well, they do give you a muscle relaxant. And sometimes, we have to clean you up afterwards. It happens, but we don’t tell anyone about it. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/56 "2008-06-13T22:28:17Z")
And now I’ve learned something I wish I hadn’t, too. Thanks a lot. 😉 I’m so glad you’re not in pain. I’m taking that for a good sign. Get plenty of rest, take care of yourself. We’ll just be here sending out the good wishes and prayers and such, so you don’t have that to do. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/57 "2008-06-13T22:43:54Z")
To paraphrase Ben Franklin “Pain meds are proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” That part about the muscle relaxant was…interesting. Take care of yourself, you are in my prayers. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/58 "2008-06-14T00:56:17Z")
i’m glad things went well and lefty and righty are being good little lasses and not paining you. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/59 "2008-06-14T01:08:27Z")
I had a benign lump removed when I was about 19. It didn’t hurt much then either. Of course, I was young then. So far, so good for ya! Good thoughts still coming your way! Oh, and your TMI part you didn’t know about? I found out about that the hard way when I had my tonsils taken out in 4th grade. :eek: I know, ewwwww…) ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666/60 "2008-06-14T08:12:21Z")
I’ve been away from the computer for a few days, so I just saw your update. I’m so glad you’re doing well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumpectomy-today/452666.md?page=4)