operative report

DAY 2 After Surgery: I almost feel myself again. At least my brain is starting to be less foggy. 

Thanks to everyone for your calls, messages, cards, even flowers! I love you all and feel your strength and support. Thank you! Thank you!

Thanks also to Becca for posting the update yesterday. She was correct about my blue pee. The dye injected to identify lymph nodes has to get out somewhere. 

Alternative narrative: Or it's straight-up karma for that one time I was a college freshman and baked some Methylene blue into chocolate brownies for the mean boys in the neighboring dorm. 

What Becca didn't say was that the dye also spread under the skin at the injection sight and turned my boob blue. I go into surgery human and come out part-Smurf. Don't worry--most of the blue is gone now. From all places. 

Operative Report: The doc's report fills in the blanks about the procedure after I was knocked out. 

Short version:  

The surgical team identified two lymph nodes with a relationship to the tumor and removed them for biopsy. They also scooped out the cancer from the left breast, including the tumor marker and the Savi scout that were embedded in the tumor. Patient is fine.

Long version: 

Wide excision of left breast cancer with Savi Scout guidance, left deep axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy with blue dye injection. Allison wan PA-C was necessary for retraction and exposure for both the deep axillary sentinel node biopsy and further lumpectomy. She also assisted with closure of surgical wounds. 

After infiltration local anesthetic incision was made in the left axillary crease and carried down into the deep axillary fatty tissue. Two lymph nodes were identified to contain the radioactive tracer and blue dye. No additional blue dye or radioactive nodes are evident. Multiple clips were used to divide the feeding vessels and lymphatics to the 2 nodes that were removed. Hemostasis appears to be excellent. The wound was closed with 3-0 Vicryl subcutaneous suture and 4-0 Vicryl subcuticular skin closure.

After infiltration with local anesthetic incision made in the medial left breast and a wide excision was performed of the area of the known breast cancer using the Savi Scout for guidance to localize the area of concern. The specimen was oriented with suture and sent to pathology for permanent histologic evaluation. 

Hemostasis was obtained with cautery and the wound was closed with 4-0 Vicryl subcuticular suture. Benzoin and Steri-Strips and gauze dressings were placed. Patient was awakened and transferred to recovery area in stable condition. 

Next Steps: I am looking forward to another low-key day of recovery, including more naps, episodes of Buffy or Star Trek, and some good food that I don't have to cook. 

On Monday I see the surgical nurse for a post-op check and the Medical Oncologist to talk about chemotherapy. I am hopeful we'll have pathology results by then. We'll see. 

In the meantime, the iris, tulips, and lilacs are blooming in my garden. 

Onward!

Sherri