Wide Excision and SLNB

Part 2 :)

They gave me a sandwich and drink and oromorph as the pain relief they gave me during the surgery would start wearing off. The incisions felt tight, like I couldn't move too much and then started to feel sore. I was discharged about 2 hours after waking. Partner had to collect me. I was given cocodamol and ibuprofen. My incisions were glued, mesh on and large plaster over. After 48 hours remove plasters and shower. Replace plasters for 2 days then remove and let it air. Now just paracetamol and ibuprofen before bed. It's uncomfortable and the occasional twinge in underarm but okay. Unable to wear bra or do too much but can do most things with other arm. Washing hair over the bath helps as you don't have to raise your arm too high. I'll update in a week or 2 :) 

That’s very informative thank you! I was hoping I wouldn’t be put to sleep but it’s looking that way. I’m very nervous!

I was very nervous about having a general anaesthetic but having had one I wouldn't be worried if I had to have it again.

The anaesthetist inserted a cannula into my hand (the bit I was most worried about) and I hardly felt a thing. He then said that he was going to introduce some liquid into my arm which might feel cold. Next he told me he was putting an oxygen mask over my face and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room.

If you were just having a WLE then that's usually done under a local anaesthetic, like your original excision, but a SLNB is more invasive and needs you to be asleep while it's done.

x

let them know that you are worried and they might give you something for the anxiety but I'm not sure. They have to put you to sleep for the SLNB. It's too painful for you to be awake for. Have you been put to sleep before? If not, this is what happens for me: They put the cannula in and you feel a slight cool feeling in your arm then after a couple seconds you feel relaxed and very sleepy, then a second later you're asleep. When you wake up you just feel very tired and relaxed and then you go back to sleep for a bit and wake up like you had the best nap ever. What in particular are you nervous about? Feel free to ask anything :) x

No I’ve never been put to sleep before. I think I’m just anxious about it because it’s something that’s out of my control but I know everything will be fine x

Anaesthesiologists do this all day everyday, it's like making a cuppa for them :) The surgery takes about an hour so you won't be under long. 

I didn't feel any pain or panic or like you can't breathe or anything. I think they give you something in it to calm you along with putting you to sleep. For me it's like when you're happy drunk and falling asleep or if you've taken anxiety medication or when you fall asleep really happy, it's calming and relaxing and literally less than 5 seconds. You wake up like its the best sleep you've ever had. Tbh I wish I could do it every night to go to sleep :)

On another note if the lymph nodes are on your underarm I'd get a post surgery bra or a stretchy type bra (one of my old nursing bras is perfect) so you don't have underwire digging into your incision when you are still healing but need to wear a bra. Have someone to do everything for you for the first few days and if you work you should have 2-4 weeks off depending on what you do xx

Hi

How did your WLE and SLNB go? Looking through your posts I think you were due to have them about a month ago. Have you had the results back yet?

x