Well, it has been almost three months since my last post on the topic of my breasts, Me, My Breasts, and I: Results. At that point, I had my ultrasound biopsy results, and a referral to Dr. Janet Ihde, a breast specialist.
Several women I spoke to were very high in their praise of Dr. Ihde. One did warn me that I shouldn’t expect my appointment to run on time, though. Well, that was true enough. At my first consultation, after about a 45 minute wait, I did not even speak to the doctor. Instead my appointment was with a Nurse Practitioner, a kind of pre-consultation, before I did this all over again in a week or so with Dr. Ihde. The NP was quite professional and informative, though, and spent a lot of time with me and answered my questions to my satisfaction.
At my next appointment, after I had waited nearly an hour, I was informed that the doctor had a personal situation and would not be able to see me that day. While I understand that shit happens in everyone’s personal life that is beyond their control, I was not happy. I had to take time off work again the following day for a rescheduled appointment.
I went into my third appointment with kind of a bad attitude. I felt a bit angry and negative about it, because of the waiting and the rescheduling, and hey, these are my breasts we’re talking about here! A little respect please.
And then I met Dr. Ihde, and everything was fine again. She was warm and competent, and she listened. She even explained her “personal issue” from the day before. She explained everything thoroughly, and answered all my questions, including my main one: Why? If it is so small and benign, and not bothering me, why does it have to be removed? (Answer: Although the needle biopsy showed the intraductal papilloma as benign, and it usually is, it needs to be removed and the whole thing biopsied to be certain.)
She wanted to schedule an MRI, just to get a better look at the tumor, but my insurance company, in their ever-wise control of my health, turned it down. We were straight on to the surgery. (The doctor’s office told me that they frequently turn it down when there is no cancer diagnosis, so I guess, in a way that was a good thing.)
Originally scheduled for January 31, then moved back to the 30th, I went in for pre-op last Friday. There I registered, sign a lot of waivers, paid my deducible, gave blood, had an EKG, gave urine, and, finally, had a chest x ray. I got my pre-op instructions, no blood thinners, no food or water after midnight on Sunday since I would be having general anesthesia. I was having my surgery at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, which is not convenient to La Quinta at all, but a good choice apparently because they are better with OR scheduling (and all the people, every one that I dealt with, were very nice). But still, a long drive (about an hour in the middle of the day).
The term for my procedure is needle localized wide excision left breast lesion. A description from the Mayo Clinic website:
Surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, a portion of the breast mass is removed for examination (incisional biopsy), or the entire breast mass may be removed (excisional biopsy, wide local excision or lumpectomy). A surgical biopsy is usually done in an operating room, with sedation and a local anesthetic. If the breast mass can’t be felt, your radiologist may use a technique called wire localization to map the route to the mass for the surgeon. During wire localization, the tip of a thin wire is positioned within the breast mass or just through it. This is usually done right before surgery. (I did the highlighting – this is what I had done. And although “breast mass” sounds huge, they just cut out a little tiny piece.)
About this wire localization. I had to arrive at the El Mirador Imaging Center, which is on the Medical Center campus, at 7:45 to have the procedure done. Alan drove me, of course, and waited until I was called in. Although I had had the procedure explained to me, seeing it in action was a whole other story. First, I was seated in a “Princess Chair,” a high, rolling chair that would be used to keep me comfortable (and still). Then, three questions, which I would hear over and over through the day, “What is your name,” “What is your birthday,” “Which breast are we working on?” I got all the answers right. Although after this first part, answer number three would be very obvious.
As the procedure was explained to me, although a tag had been left in my breast during the original biopsy, they needed to pinpoint the location exactly for the doctor. To do this, first the area would be locally anesthetized, then a needle would be inserted. Using digital mammography, the radiologist would make sure that the needle was in the exact spot. This could take several attempts. Then a blue dye would be injected into the area. Finally, a wire would be inserted through the needle and would “hook” the tag/tumor, to insure that the doctor would have no trouble finding the right location.
For women who have had one, imagine having your mammogram last 45 minutes. On one breast. If you haven’t had one, just imagine (men or women) your breast in a vise for that amount of time. Oh, yeah, while someone is sticking a very long needle in you.
Actually, while it was uncomfortable, it wasn’t painful (thank you lidocaine). I was fortunate that they found the correct spot on the first attempt. After it was complete, I was rolled away from the machine, complete with a three inch dart sticking out of my left breast. In order to protect it, they used an advanced technique: They taped a Styrofoam cup over it. Yep. Fortunately, they wrapped a sheet over my shoulders for the wheelchair ride to the hospital, so I didn’t have to show off my third breast to the public. For public it was, no hallway or back entrance, we rode down the elevator, through the parking garage, across the driveway to the main entrance. Whee!
Once there, I was delivered to Pre-Op. Brenda, my very nice nurse, told me that there was another surgery scheduled before mine, and that Dr. Ihde wasn’t there yet. Surprise, late again! She dug up a couple magazines and I settled in to wait. What else can you do? Reading made me sleepy, so I even dosed off for a while.
Shortly before it was time, Dr. Ihde came by to check on me. She also put a little X on my left breast (just in case that dart sticking out wasn’t enough). The anesthesiologist also came by and told me what to expect. A little relaxation, a little pain medication, a little anti-nausea drug, then sleep.
Finally, I was rolled into the operating room. I noted the time on the clock at 11:20, meaning I’d been waiting over two hours. I also noted a very cool bulletin board labeled “Our Pets” which was full of pictures of dogs and cats. Great idea! I think they had one of their (human) kids too, but I didn’t take as much notice of that.
Once in the OR, I was slid onto the operating table. I had time to notice the large lights and to see that this wasn’t an operating theater (no Kramer dropping junior mints into me!), but a low ceilinged operating room. Then a drowsy, cloudy feeling, then nothing.
When I woke up in the Recovery room, it was a little before 1:00. As I opened my eyes, my post-op nurse, Roy, was right there to see how I felt, get me some ice chips and juice, and call Alan to let him know he could come to pick come to pick me up. I was a little sore, had a huge headache, but other than that felt okay and happy to have it over with. I had a huge bandage on my left breast (I’d bump into things with it!). My post operative instructions were simple. Eat lightly at first, preferably soup or something like it, keep my bra on, don’t shower until Wednesday, and call the doctor’s office to make an appointment for Friday. Oh, and I was given a prescription for Vicodin, which I did fill, because you never know, but only needed one.
What I really needed was my migraine medicine, because my headache was getting worse as the day went on. We picked up some soup at Von’s where my pharmacy is (Amy’s vegan Lentil Soup), then finally headed home. That drive from Palm Springs seems especially long post-op!
When we got home, I heated up the soup while Alan went back to pick up a sandwich for his lunch (I really needed to get home!). The first few bites of the soup were great. I was so hungry. But then, the nausea started. Either from the anesthesia, or the headache or a combination, I had to head quickly to the bathroom. Afterward, I felt a little better, so I finished the soup, drank a couple glasses of water, took a vicodin (I’d already taken the migraine pill and was hoping it would start working soon), and climbed into bed.
Although I managed to get some sleep, I spent the day and night up and down. My headache did not go away. I took another pill, but it was time that finally got rid of it. After finishing the soup, I soon vomited it back up. I tried a banana a little later in the day, but couldn’t keep that down either. I kept trying to drink water to battle dehydration, and I guessed that worked because when I finally stopped vomiting, I had to pee every hour or so. Oh, and my breast ached.
I finally woke up about 5:00 am, headache gone, craving coffee (I’m sure the lack of it helped kick off my headache). I felt surprisingly good. Amazingly good after the coffee. My neck is sore today, probably because of some weird sleeping positions I assumed through the long night. Other than that, I’m feeling fine. And my breakfast of toast and cereal stayed down just fine. I did spend the day taking it easy. I took a nap, lazed around for a few hours, then started up the computer to write this post.
Now, I am writing this on Tuesday, the day after my operation. My appointment with the doctor, where I will find out the results of the biopsy is on Friday. I hesitated as to whether to post this now, or wait until the results, but I really do feel confident that they will be benign. If they are, I’ll edit this post with the results. If they are not…well, we’ll see.
In the meantime, please think positive thoughts for me.
UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!!!
Results are back and they are benign! WooHoo! I was feeling very positive, but still, what a relief to hear those words. I do have a hematoma, which explains some extensive bruising (sorry, no pics. While I do bare most of my life, I do have my limits, but believe me, EXTENSIVE bruising). Oh, and yes, my doctor kept me waiting for an hour, but she walked through the door, her first words were, “It’s benign.” Okay, forgiven.
Thank you all for your support!
(I had to close comments on this post because of serious spam problems, but I care and I’m happy to answer any questions that you have. Please use the contact form to write to me or email me at debbie [at] coachdebbieruns [dot] com.)
I’m sending you loads of positive vibes!!!!! I think you are an amazingly positive person, and you will reap what you sow!!
I agree, that is a cute idea to have a pets board, you can’t help but smile when you see peoples pet pictures…for me, more so than kids.
Thanks. You’re right, I am very positive. I hardly feel worried about hearing the results tomorrow. I’m just assuming they will be good news. Thanks for the good vibes though, you can never have enough of that.
Seriously, I loved that bulletin board. Thinking about doing something similar at work (I have a small staff, though, I might have to combine the kids and pets thing).
This was an excellent read and I’m so happy that the news was benign. I’m just starting down this path and am scared as hell. It gave me some comfort and hope. Thank u for sharing.
Lori
Hi Debbie:
Thank you for the informative posts on intraductral papillomas and your excisional biopsy. After a stereotactic biopsy in Dacember 2011, I was told that my intraductral papilloma was benign. I thought that the clip in my breast would be used for future mamograms. Yeah! However, my obgyn forwarded my results to an oncologist. Thinking all was ok I made the appointment and couldn’t get in to see the doctor for month. Imagine my surprize when I went to the appointment and she said that I had to have an excisional biopsy and that she was ready to schedule it that day! Everything she said after that was blur. I said “no” and that I had to think about it. I found your blog that day. It is the best and most honest description that I could find of the procedure. I appreciate your honesty and am glad that your diagnosis was benign. This week I am going back to my obgyn and the surgeon to ask a lot of questions!
Sherri
Thank you, Sherri, I’m glad that my story helped you start to figure it all out. My husband sometimes feels that I share too much, but when I get comments like yours, I knoow I’m doing the right thing.
By the way, one of the things I haven’t shared is photos or remarks about the amazing bruise that is just now starting to fade. Not only was my left breast completely dark purple, the bruise extended all the way to the nipple on my right breast, also my left armpit and lower rib area. This apparently is not normal, but because I have a hematoma caused by their missing small “bleeders” during the surgery. My doctor said it is nothing to worry about, but two attepts to drain it have failed, and my left beast is still swollen and quite hard. Hence the pictures in case this is something that does not correct itself.
Other than that, at two weeks since the surgery I feel fine. I go back in two weeks to have it checked.
Good luck with your treatment, whatever path you choose.
Debbie
Hi! I just read your post. I had a double excisional biopsy done the first week of March (a week before my wedding and honeymoon, great timing there, huh?) and I was just wondering if the hardness you experienced resolved and how long it took? I am almost 3 months post op and where there was a noticeable divot (if I felt for it) where the largest tumor was removed however it is now hard and feels ‘filled in’ and under the arm where a smaller tumor was removed there is also another hard lump. I got benign results but can’t help feeling paranoid that my breast still feels so hard, increasingly so even. Sorry for rambling. I was just curious if your swelling and hardening resolved. Thanks!
Hi Emily,
It took months (and I’m sorry I can’t remember how many) for the hardness in my breast to go away. It was right under/next to my nipple, and I think it was at least six months. It feels perfectly fine now, though there is a slight tilt (I guess, that’s the best word I can come up with). I like to think it gives my breast a little quirkiness :-).
If you are really concerned though, you should talk it over with your doctor. There could be scar tissue that may need attention, plus it could settle your mind that there is nothing wrong.
I’m kind of getting a giggle, remembering how bruised I was for about 3 weeks after my surgery. That must have been an interesting wedding night 😉
Hi Debbie
Just wanted to say thank you for the post. I am having this surgery on Wednesday and I was happy to read about the procedure first hand. I was really concerned about recovery time and since I’m a runner and you are a runner I wondered how long until you started running again? Glad everything came out good for you. Thank you again for sharing your experience.
Hi Candice,
One of the nice things about having a blog is that you can go back when your memory fails and see what you wrote. I can’t remember what my instructions were, but I see that I rode my bike on February 4 and I ran on February 7. I don’t know if that was the first time I ran after the surgery, though, but it was only a week in any case. I think the instructions were that it was okay when it felt comfortable.
Good luck on your surgery! I’m sure it will go well.
Thanks Debbie,
I look forward to getting back on the road again, as I am sure you can relate to, and as i am preparing myself this morning for my surgery your response is making me feel better about getting back to my life quickly. Thank you again for your response as I am sure you know, since you have been there, it has helped to ease my mind about my surgery and recovery this morning.
Hi Candice,
I hope that everything went well and that you will be back to running (and everything else) very soon. Please let me know how you’re doing. I care.
Hi Debbie,
I am doing very well and it is only day 2 – no need for anything more than Tylenol. My surgeon and her team was incredible. Hopefully all tests are negative. Should be running again soon. Thank you again!
So happy to hear it! Good luck on your recovery and I’m sending good vibes for that negative report.
Wow I am going through the exact same thing and have the excisional surgery next week. Hope my results come out as positive as yours did. Helpful to read about the process thanks for sharing.
I’m glad I could help. Good luck with your surgery. Sending good thoughts for everything to come out well!
So the excisional biopsy went very well. You are right as the most uncomfortable part is the 5 minute mammogram for the wire placement. Yikes that took my breath away but everything else was relatively easy and painless. As I get easy motion sickness and nausea I was set up very well by the anesthesia doc and had no problems with recovery. I just needed some ice packs and extra strength Tylenol. Got the results today and no cancer. I do have LCIS and will seek an oncologist for preventative protocol. Thanks again for the info and encouragement.
Happy to hear your procedure went well also. I haven’t heard back any results yet so am getting a little anxious. Tomorrow will be a week that I have the surgery. Thinking of you and putting positive thoughts your way with the treatment for the LCIS. Will post back when I get my results.
I’m so happy to hear that your procedure went well and there is no cancer. Good luck with your LCIS treatment. As always, I’m sending positive thoughts your way.
Loved your descriptive post of your experience. Happy to hear your results were good. I am scheduled to have bilateral wide excision next week. Biopsies also can back B9 but type that can at some point change and need to be removed:(. Feeling better after reading these posts!
Good luck with your surgery. Sending my positive thought your way.
Well, had my surgery yesterday and overall feeling very relieved that is over with. Hopefully, won’t have to do that again. The worst part of the procedure for me was putting the wires in. I was in radiology for about an hour and half because they had to do both breasts and it took quite a while for the radiologist to get them in the right positions. It was very uncomfortable. The actual surgery you are asleep so can’t complain about that. After the surgery, I felt stabbing pains, but ice packs really helped. I took tylenol and went home and slept for about three hours and after that kept the ice packs refreshed through the night and feeling really good today 🙂 The biopsy results were ADH (Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia) which is a benign mass so hoping the full results will come out the same. I will report back next week when I get the results. Feeling very positive!!
Still sending positive thoughts your way for good results!
I actually had to re-read my post to remember what the pre-op procedure entails. Which hopefully means that the discomfort of getting those wires put in will soon be a cloudy memory 🙂
I am happy for you that your surgery went well, are feeling pretty good, and that it is looking good for positive results.
Pat hope you get great results. I got mine at my post op appointment and needless to say I had a very anxious week. Keep those positive thoughts going.
Just got back from my post-op appointment and they said both papillomas came back benign. Very happy about those results. Now I just have to followup in six months. All is good :). Have to say reading these posts really helped my stress level. Thanks for starting the blog about the procedure Debbie! Btw I also run mostly 5Ks, but was back running three days after the procedure which felt good to be back in my normal routine.
Hurray! I figured they would be benign, but it’s nice to get that report back! I’m so happy for you and I’m glad that my report helped you get though the process.
I had an excision biopsy to remove a papailloma 11/20/13. It was benign with clear margins. I still have quite a bit of swelling and pain. The papilloma was deep on the underside of the left breast. I am having problems finding a properly supportive bra and basically only have no pain if I “hold” my breast when I walk. Which obviously isn’t appropriate for public! Also I still tire very quickly. I am starting to worry that I am not recovering as I should be. I do not have a fever or any redness at the incision site.
I had an excision biopsy for removal of a papilloma the end of Oct 2013. After one week I got the path report, it really surprised me – no papilloma was found in the specimen. The surgeon asked me to wait 2 months for ultrasound. I did it today, the papilloma is still there. I can’t believe I have to go through the whole procedure again. The surgeon mentioned properly the wire loose before the surgery.
Oh no! That is a shame.I hope everything goes well, and that they get it right this time.
Thank you Debbie. I still think positive and thank you for sharing your experience. Could I update you for the progress?
I hope that you will. I really care and I want to hear how you’re doing. Sending positive thoughts for your second procedure.
Just had this surgery done on 2/19/2014, and I must say I read your blog beforehand. It helped me to get a better understanding of what I would have to endure leading up to and after surgery. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
I am also so happy to hear that this post helps women understand a little more about what is happening. I hope that everything went well for you and that you had good results.
Just had this surgery done on 2/19/2014, and I read your blog before hand. It really helped me to be aware of what to expect before, and after the procedure. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us…
Hi Debbie,
Finally, I have it done again on February 17; and just got the pathology report yesterday. They removed the papilloma and everything is fine; what’s a relief!!
This time I don’t have the mammogram after the wire-localization; because that may be the reason for the loose wire happened in the first surgery.
Hurray! I’m so happy to hear that. I glad for you that it is all over. It must have been very stressful to have to have it done all over again. I’m thankful that it is benign.
I had an excisional biopsy on 3/13/14. Following the surgery, I felt pretty good with the exception of bruising and tenderness near the incision especially when touched. Now, my breast feels sore and firm, and looks swollen to me. I came across your blog looking for answers as to whether this was normal. It seems your procedure was very similar to mine. Although, to locate the lumps to allow them to insert the wire in the proper place I was given a mammogram, then an ultrasound, then back to the mammogram and then the wire was inserted. The mammograms were the worst part for me. Had I known, I would have asked if it was ok to take Tylenol. I received my results the following day, benign. Thank goodness. My follow-up appt. isn’t until 3/31, so I will be calling my Dr. soon to ask about the firmness. Anyway, your info was very informative. I wish I would have found this prior to my surgery!
I am so happy that your results are benign. My breast was pretty swollen and hard for quite a while. It was really bruised from the hematoma too (the bruise really was frightening and it lasted for weeks). I sure it is all a part of the normal healing process, but it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor to be sure. I’m glad my post was helpful, sorry you didn’t find it until afterwards :-).
Hello! Thank you for posting….I feel that I have been reading so much on this topic but your posts are really making me feel better. For my situation, they have not found anything that is causing the bloody discharge so that is why they want to conduct a duct excersion. I am scared to death because I have never had any surgeries…..needless to say has anyone on your blog waited to have this done? Also I know my doctor said there is a 15% chance of it being cancer that is why they do the procedure. I don’t know I’m just scared right now!
I’m having surgical consult on monday and have already been told I will need an excisional biopsy. I watched the video of the surgery on you tube….made me squirm…ouch!!!
I am nervous for the procedure and the recovery, but do feel better after reading your blog and all the posts of other women who have already undergone the procedure. Very relieved to see that everyone had benign results.
I’m glad this post has helped. Good luck with your surgery. I hope you’ll come back and let me know how it went.
Fortunately, after two years, my memory has faded, but aside from some discomfort (mostly during the placing of the needle before the surgery) it wasn’t too painful.
Thanks so much for this blog. I’m in the process of having this exact procedure scheduled, and it really puts my mind at ease to have an idea of what’s coming. The result of the core needle biopsy was benign, but they still want to remove the little mass, along with the larger mass at the same time. So incredibly nervous about the pain, because the core needle was pretty painful.
I had the needle biopsy and I agree it was quite painful. Mine was also benign showing an intraductal papilloma, but my doctor wanted to remove it along with surrounding tissue. I had that surgery about a month ago under general anesthesia and the post-operative pain wasn’t too bad. Nothing like the needle biopsy. I think I only took pain pills a couple of times mostly so I would sleep well. All the pathology is negative and my incision is healing really well. The only thing remaining is some residual bruising and hardness in the breast tissue at the surgical site which I understand will soften with time. It was all very scary for me, but the outcome has been good. Good Luck!
Hi Debbie,
This blog was just what I needed today, so thank you for initiating this conversation. I’m especially happy to hear that you’re also a runner. I run regularly through the NJ winters and knowing that you were starting to run in less than a week post- procedure is very reassuring to me. My procedure was just scheduled for 2/6/15. The breast surgeon was fine with postponing it until after a half marathon in AZ in January. The fact that she was so agreeable to delaying it until after my scheduled races were over, told me that she wasn’t overly concerned. If she really thought it was cancerous, I doubt she’d tolerate postponing the procedure for almost 3 months. Happy trails to you!
Good luck with your procedure. And your half marathon! Is it Rock & Roll AZ? I have a few blogging friends doing that race.
How nice to have such a cooperative doctor. As you say, it shows that she is not too concerned.
I hope you’ll keep me up to date on how it all goes. I never realized when I wrote this post how it would turn out to be so helpful for so many women. It makes me so happy whenever I hear from someone that it has helped.
Hi Debbie,
I’m following up after my excision on February 6th. I met my breast surgeon yesterday to get my results and it was a papilloma, as she thought. The doctor allowed me to postpone the procedure until after the AZ Rock and Roll Half Marathon so I did run with my husband in his first half. He did a great job and I predict many destination races in our future! The down side to postponing this procedure was that I had 3 months to search the internet on diseases of the breast. Too much time on my hands! The worst part of the the whole experience was trying unsuccessfully, to put it in the back of my mind until February. I have some bruising and soreness a week post removal. The doctor recommends 2 compression bras on my first forays out on the road. I’ve already planned a trail race in Kentucky in April and a trail run in the Smoky Mountains in May. Running trails is where I found my peace so I’ll be returning soon. We also did a little running in the desert around Tucson and Bisbee so that was a little bit of Heaven! Thanks again for sharing your experience dealing with a papilloma. It did reassure me!
Peggy from NJ
I’m so happy to hear that your procedure went well and you’re back on the road! Thanks for checking in. Maybe someday your destination race will take you to my desert 🙂
January 21 I had a sterotactic biopsy. My diagnosis was atypical ductal hyperplasia. I am scheduled for an excisional on Tuesday, March 10. This whole process started back in October 2014. My oldesr sister had a dble mastectomy Oct. 1 2014. I’ve managed through my faith in Christ to stay calm and not to worry excessively. However, the closer the surgery the more nervous I become.
Good luck with your surgery. I am hopeful that all will go well for you. I hope you’ll check back in afterward to let me know how it went. Stay positive!
Surgery went well. My tests came back negative. Hurray!!!!
Thankful to the Lord.
I’m curious about how your breast looked after the surgery because I got mine done about 3 weeks ago and it seems like my nipple is facing downwards now I was wondering if that was normal I’ve been googling all day and can’t find anything on it I
It seems to me it was a little pinched looking and kind of off center, but it was also so bruised and swollen for several weeks that I hardly noticed the nipple. {runs to check what it looks like now} it still has a slightly tilted look but I’ve grown so used to I wasn’t sure until I looked. I took pictures at the time (I’m a blogger, what can I say?), but I’ve deleted them. Did you ask your doctor about it?
Dear Debbie
Thank-you so much for the information regarding excision of breast papilloma as I was searching the internet for information regarding post op expectations/after care. It is great to hear recovery was rather quick. I will have the surgery on Friday & planned to work on Tuesday. Funny thing I have not wanted to share this information i.e. the upcoming surgery with family or friends just a few know. I keep growing things that are not suppose to be there. Two years ago I had left lobe of the thyroid removed & have to have yearly US for the right side as it has lesions as well not as large so I opted to keep the right side. I think it is embarrassing to keep having tumors removed & I don’t want to hear people gasp or sympathize or not again. My husband who is such a dear will take me. Again I thank-you for your post.
I’m sorry that I missed this until today (Friday). It got bumped to my spam for some reason. I hope that everything went well. I hope you’ll come back and let me know.
Yes, recovery was pretty quick. I did have the huge bruise, but that was a little out of the ordinary and didn’t hurt in any case.
I get not wanting to tell people and have to deal with their concern/worry (as nice is it is that there are people who love you enough to care/worry). Ironically, I tend to share in much greater detail here on the blog than in my real life. I can’t remember now, but I don’t think I told many friends and family beforehand.
Update surgery went well as did my recovery. No stitches there is a 1.5″ incision around the areola Dr. Karen Goodwin did a fabulous job. Derma bond was used to close the incision it’s been 19 days postop. There has been minimal discomfort though the area is still sore with any pressure. I am happy to report the tumor is benign. 🙂 Thanks again for your informative blog.
Danice
Hurray! I’m so happy to hear that all went well and your results were benign! Sounds like you had a good recovery too.
thank you for sharing your experience, I am having this operation in a week and I like to know what to expect. It doesn’t sound too very bad so looking forward to getting it over with. I also feel confident that it will be benign but will breathe a sigh of relieve when I find out for sure.
I’m glad that my post can give you a little assurance. I hope everything goes well and that you’ll stop back by after it’s all over.
Debbie, I had a Papillary Lesion removed on June 8th of this year 2015. It was Benign. Prayers answered. My question is how long did your breast still sting and burn? My left breast still stings and burns occasionally and sometimes more frequently than other times. I thought after the surgery and removal of the Papillary Lesion I wouldn’t be experiencing any more pain. How long should I expect to feel discomfort in my left breast since surgery?
I’m sorry that I don’t remember whether I had any lingering pain or burning. I did have huge bruising and swelling, but as far as I can remember, once that went away I was fine. I’d suggest that you give your doctor a call just to check in. Good luck!
Hi,
My name is Melanie and I am 32 years of age. I just had surgery August 6th/15 to remove a small papilloma from my bladder. I was having an ultrasound of my ovaries, uterus, etc…for a period that wouldn’t stop, but that came back okay and they found a nodule in bladder incidentally. Glad I had that ultrasound done. I was sent to a Urologist 3 months later. I don’t know why they didn’t send me earlier. He told me it could be many things and scheduled me for a Cystoscopy on July 8th and a month later removed the nodule. He said it was a polyp/papilloma and it is common in young woman and is benign majority of the time, but sent out for biopsy because he can’t tell by cystoscopy if it is or not and my Endrocronlogist didn’t seem to concerned to send me 3 months later after ultrasound to tell me and send me to the Urologist. I am awaiting my results they take 1-2 weeks and I am so nervous and scared! I can hardly eat from my nerves. He said if they are benign follow-up cystoscopy in a few months and if not benign we will have an appt and go from there. He believes it is benign because majority of time it is. Please pray for me. I pray also and I am keeping positive. Glad yours went well and is benign 🙂
Hi Melanie,
Boy I’m sorry that you’ve had to go through all of this! Waiting is the hardest part. I’m praying and sending all my positive energy that everything will come out all right. I hope that you will stop back by to let me know how it all comes out. I do care. Good luck <3
I had my excisional biopsy yesterday and and felt nicely prepared due to your informative blog- thank you!
Just to mention -inserting the wire was definitely the most tedious part-and even though I’m pretty resilient,, the combination of not eating for the past 12hrs, plus the lidocaine made me feel dizzy and light headed. This feeling of almost fainting was very new to me so I thought I would mention it here.
The nurses and doctor quickly sat me down in a reclining chair and put an ice pack on my forehead and that really helped.
The surgery itself was not stressful -thanks to the general anesthetic.
No nausea after due to the transderm scope patch they on behind my ear.
Minimal pain and I only took 1 Tylenol for my headache.
Results will come in a week but I’m feeling very positive it’s gonna be ok!
Thanks once again for this timeless blog!
I’m happy that all went well. Sending positive thoughts your way regarding the results. Thanks for the extra information about how you felt during the insertion part. It is tedious and especially tough when you haven’t eaten for hours. It’s hard to believe it’s been over 3 years since my procedure. I am always happy to hear when someone feels this post helped them be more prepared.
Got my results yesterday and papillomatosis benign!
But have to follow up with oncologist for ADH (atypical ductal hyperplasia). Well prevention is the way to go so taking 1 day at a time.
Thanks again and take care.
Debbie,
If you had to do the surgery all over again or elect to just watch the spot, which would you choose?
I have two papillomas that have been monitored for the last year and my nurse practitioner is urging me to get them out, but the surgeon said he was comfortable monitoring them by ultrasound.
I’m torn on what to do. I’m only 34. Do you notice any change in the look of your breast?
Meg
I have a scar on my breast. It is very light, but it’s almost two inches long. It doesn’t change the shape of the breast or nipple, and in my opinion, is not very noticeable. Of course, I’m 20 years older than you, so that may make a difference in your decision. I would do it again. I haven’t had any problem since my surgery, the scar is small, and I really don’t have to worry about anything. I don’t think I’d like the idea of something growing inside of me, even if we were monitoring it.
I hope you’ll let me know what you decide to do. I do care and I want women to know that this particular surgery is almost always successful.
I am SO thankful to have found this blog! Thank you Debbie and everyone for the positive comments! I am going to the breast surgeon tomorrow to discuss removal of the papillomatosis. I’m scared. But this page is a life saver. Thank you Thank you Thank you ! I have just liked your FB page and plan to follow. Cheers!
Good luck, Mary. I’m so happy that you have found some comfort here. I hope you’ll check back in and let me know how it all went. I’m sure everything will work out for the best.
Hi-I’m wondering how different in appearance your breast was after the procedure? My breasts and small and the surgeon said the breast might look quite different, have a “divet” in it.
Thanks for your blog!
I actually had to go look into the mirror to check because I just don’t think about it any more. No, there is no puckering, divot or misshaping (my breasts are small too). There is a tiny little scar that has almost faded away. There was a little puckering of the nipple for a while after the surgery, but that has completely gone away now. Good luck with your procedure. I hope you’ll stop by after it’s all over to let me know how things went.