@A MyBCTeam Member @A MyBCTeam Member I had the numbing injection first, and the nurse that did it, apologized saying the numbing agent would take a while to work, but it would still be uncomfortable, and since everyone has a different pain tolerance- it is hard to say how uncomfortable it would be. (He was right, but I did appreciate the honesty and the fact that he recognized we all are unique, it was not pain-free, but brief and tolerable). Fortunately, right after that the anesthesiologist arrived to start that IV, so I was soon out anyway! Hugs!

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@A MyBCTeam Member Yes, it is all normal. I did not have to do the wires, but the dye and surgery, yes. The dye (contrast medium) is injected near the tumor, and it can be seen with imaging. The lymph nodes that get busy clearing that away are the ones most likely to have picked up cancer cells, and they designate those as the "sentinal" nodes (the rest are "auxillary" nodes). The surgeon usually removes a few to test, just to make sure those are clear. Our center does a pathology check while we are still under, and also sends the tissue out for a second check. Keeping you in prayers for every success with your procedure, Hugs!

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@CathyTrumsn

You may want to find out the protocol for the dye injection.
If they just spray lidocaine, this procedure can be painful. If they inject lidocaine into the breast where the dye is injected, it is ok. I only had the spray in 2022 and this was difficult

Any comments on this?

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Yes, I had both, but only 1 wire. The wire was fine,. That helps your surgeon find the exact site of the biopsies. Not going to lie, the injection was not fun, but temporary and necessary.
Wishing you well with your surgery!

Agree that it is normal procedure. I had one wire put in and then went in for surgery. Blue dye during lumpectomy to check sentinel node. Mine had a small cancerous tumor.