Mammotone

Following the scan in Dec, a small lump was picked up in my right breast. Two of my aunties were diagnosed with breast cancer, hence I decided to seek doctor opinion.

I was introduced to Dr. Joy Lee whose clinic is located at Mount Alvernia. She is a Breast and General Surgeon, a very nice lady who is in her forties. She picked up another lump when she did a detail scan at her clinic. The scaredy-cat me decided to have them remove even though Dr. Lee said we could monitor the lumps instead. Dr. Lee said she should be able to remove the lumps through a day surgery known as "Mammotone".

I told Hubs of the day surgery and was hoping fervently that he could be here though I know it was highly impossible. I knew this was not going to be a major operation and I should be able to go and return home on my own; it was just that having hubby next to me would be comforting.

In any case, I started to prepare for the procedure and many of these were done in the event that if I need to be hospitalised. I cut my hair, did a facial to clear out the current pimples and went to the library to get some books for the next few days.

Treasures from NLB

The surgery was done at Mount Alvernia Hospital as I did my last two surgeries there too. I am pretty happy with the service and have no reason to move to another hospital. After the admission procedure was completed, I was brought to the day surgery waiting room. I handed over my valuables and was in the operating gown, sitting and waiting. 

I might sound a bit psychotic but I do always kind of enjoy the process of a surgery. I had three surgeries so far. The operating room theatre nurses were all very nice and motherly, and today I found out that they had this warm blanket (which was not there the last two times) blowing hot air! Having so many people fussing over you was kind of the best out of a not-preferred situation. 

The nurses turned me onto my left side and used something to support me from the back. A nurse was also standing at my right side, supporting me and telling me what was being done. Next, the nurse prepped me by sterilising my right breast, and once Dr. Lee came into the theatre, she did a scan to mark the position of the two lumps. She told me she would try to extract both lumps together so that I would have one scar less. After the marking, I was given a local anesthetic and she did some tests to make sure the area was numbed properly. I continued to lay on my side during the entire surgery.

Whatever that happened next was kind of a blur because I did not have my contact lens on. I saw a long and thick needle, similar to BBQ skewer. But what caught my attention was the sound of this needle / equipment. It sounded so much like an electric chainsaw though it was definitely softer. This needle would be the instrument to cut out the lumps. The nurse supporting my back must have seen my expression because she started to reassure me that it would not be painful. 

Dr. Lee prepped me for each step that she was taking. She told me she would make an incision, and thereafter she would be pushing the needle in for the extraction. I felt a slight push against my breast and slowly the pressure increased. Dr. Lee told me to bear with it but she also commented this surgery was considered a lot more gentle when compared to my pneumothorax day surgeries. Once the needle was in, Dr. Lee started to position and push the needle so that she would be able to position the needle and extract the two lumps together at the same time. She constantly looked at the scanner monitor to check on the positioning of the instrument (needle). 

Once the lumps were located, Dr. Lee started to cut the lumps with the needle. The cutting sounded like, ka-ka-ka. It felt weird, hearing but not feeling anything. The lumps were shown to me; they looked like fatty bacon strips; white and puny. Dr. Lee did a scan to make sure everything was taken out before she sewed me up. 

She told me the mammotone went well and all the lumps were extracted and sent for biopsy. She proceeded to wrap my chest up with pressure bandage. I was given instructions not to wet the bandage and to leave the bandage on for 24 hours. The bandage was pretty tight and it was a little itchy, but then again, I was just grateful to have the lumps out. The procedure took slightly less than an hour, and I was sent back to the day surgery resting room to rest and have something light. 

Hot tea is always so comforting...

Both my brother and sister offered to pick me up after the surgery but a girlfriend had also made arrangement to come. And since she was in the vicinity, I went home with her. 

While I acknowledge life is never a bed of roses, but I always like to think that whatever happens, happens for a reason. If I am to be gone at this instant, I think I am content to go without much of regret.