Savi radiation

Klingwench

My surgeon implanted the device in his office using Novocaine to numb the insertion site. As far as sleeping on it, well...I caught hell today from the nurses because I have been sleeping on it. Well, nobody told me not to! It seriously is not that uncomfortable, please don't be scared. A friend of mine who had it bitched about how miserable it all was, but I decided to go on and do it anyway, and I haven't regretted my decision at all.

Shayne

I had a great experience as well - SO GLAD you did too.  Im a year out - and have no regrets and feel really lucky that this was an option!  Hope the next 6 sessions go smoothly for you!!

Shayne

I slept on mine accidently - every single time they checked it - it NEVER MOVED.  I didnt bother to tell the nurses i slept on it.......

Sadiecat22

I see no one has written here in quite a while.  This discussion and other boards were helpful so thanks to all contrbutors.  

Had my catheter inserted yesterday.  Great doctor, we were laughing during the procedure which I needed cause I was pretty anxious wondering how they were going to insert this large "Bic pen" with surrounding wires (as I like to think of it) during an office visit.  I can honestly say that I experienced no pain whatsoever.  There was the initial sting from the lidocaine but that was over very quickly.  I felt so good afterwards I went out for lunch before I went home.  It wasn't until several hours later I started to experience pain and wondered how Tylenol was going to take care of it.  Silly me I started with one Tylenol and should've taken to right away.  

The placement of my catheter made it a bit awkward for changing the dressing.  I also had some difficulty stuffing the wires back in my bra when I was done.  They sort of wrap around to the back.  A bit challenging when you have no one to help you with it.  A friend of mine who works in healthcare suggested I try using a camisole.  I purchased a couple from a company called soft surroundings about a year ago and found out it was perfect.  It's the morning of doing 2, I've taken more Tylenol and am doing fine.  It would've been good to have some more gauze from the doctors office as I had to change the dressing several times.  Definitely don't want the moisture from the drainage to sit there and cause any kind of infection.  

Hope this information is helpful to others in the future. I'm sure I'll be updating my experience especially once I start the radiation.  As of now I am very very grateful that I have the SAVI option.  

Sadiecat22

Just continuing my "journal" on SAVI radiation.  Recognize this is just my experience.  Had some fairly significant pain during the night from the catheter site.  A couple Tylenol took care of it. 

Went into today for the planning session.  It might have been a good idea if I'd taken Tylenol before I went.  No pain during the session but they did move the catheter around quite a bit.  By the time they later showed me how to change the dressing, I was starting to feel the first twinges of pain.  Took Tylenol again.

Learned a few of important things.  

1) not sure why I wasn't given more extensive instructions for changing the gauze immediately following the catheter insertion procedure.  Much more extensive instructions including sterile procedure were given to me today!  For 2 days I'd been simply replacing the soiled gauze without even washing my hands.  Yep, sounds stupid, but no one said anything about it or provided anything about it in the written instructions.  I know, should have at least been common sense for me to know to wash my hands.  I never touched the skin around the incision, but still seems like clean hands would be a good idea. Good news is I didn't have any negative reaction.  

2) with the new more extensive, sterile dressing instructions provided today, I learned that I'm not able to change it without help.  It's only the last 2 steps of the procedure which would have required an extremely flexible shoulder. The issue is ONLY because of where the catheter extends on me and that I have a minor shoulder problem.  The wires essentially extend below my shoulder blade.   I can clean the site just fine, add the split gauze, but wrapping the wires and putting on the special bra were impossible.  They asked me if I had a neighbor who could help me for the next 3 days.  Uh, no!  I have nice neighbors, but, not baring myself to them.  Thankfully I was able to ask my sister in law to help.  So, I will drive to her house Saturday and Sunday (I offered to go there).  My guess is I will need her help for about 10 minutes maximum.  She just happens to have a health care background but that's not essential.

3) can't rely on the camisole  that was working so well.  Need to use the soft bra but can wear camisole over it if I want more support.

4) they advised me that I might want to take Advil before my last session in prep for removal of the catheter.  They'll put topical anesthetic on, but it won't be numbed up inside.  Sounds like a party.  

Sadiecat22

Well, even though it doesn't look like this "journal" is getting any views I'll go ahead and add a few comments, now facing day 4 of rads.  The first day, one of the doctors asked me if I had pain meds.  Guess I should have asked him why.  About an hour after treatment I felt some twinges of pain so I took a couple Advil more preventative than anything.  Tylenol does nothing for me. I took one other Advil one night but really haven't needed much of anything. If you have a technician who isn't particularly gentle with the catheter, it can get a little sore.  As many have said before the procedure itself is painless.  In fact I was laughing about the fact that sometimes when the seeds are entering the tubes it can kind of tickles.  After treatment six I have to admit I'm wondering what it's doing because I literally notice nothing.  That's a mind game because you're not supposed to notice the radiation.  

I actually feel energized after the morning treatment and do so much running around, by the end of the day I'm tired.  But I don't think I'm tired because of the treatment.  

I return to work full-time next week my biggest concern is my energy level lasting all day.  I've been off work for approximately five weeks so it should be an interesting transition.  Because of the catheter I haven't really been able to do any significant exercise and boy do I need it!

I'll probably write again after the catheter has been removed.  

Sadiecat22

I'm guessing this will my final entry here.  Had final rads yesterday.  I actually caught myself crying a bit. Probably more related to going back to work, but also feels like this is it.  Let's hope it did it's job!  

Removal of the catheter was no biggie.   They suggested that I take 2 Advil in advance which I did about 1 1/2 hours before treatment.  They also put lidocaine ointment around incision when I was in the final treatment.  The doctor was very gentle and made sure I wasn't feeling any discomfort.  I felt some pressure, but no pain during removal.  There was a twinge of pain, really minor, after it was out.  What a relief it's gone!

See him early next week to follow up.  Can finally shower tonight, yea!  No exercise for at least a week.  No lifting over 10 pounds.  Testing to see if it did it's thing?  He said my surgeon would talk to me about this but essentially mammogram.  Hope the breast is well healed by then!!

Glad to have done SAVI.  Most difficult part was remembering not to roll over and sleep on it.  I slept pretty well most nights.  

The first 3 days of rads I had lots of energy.  The last 2 days, I came home from morning treatment and ended up taking 2 hour naps.  Some say you won't have fatigue.  I did.  I plan to take it easy before I return to work on Monday.  

God, please, please remind me not to allow the intense stresses of the job run my life.  I WILL leave in time to exercise and I WILL continue to eat well.  Have to admit for my celebration meal I had Garlic Dill Salmon with my special dill sauce; large kale/grape tomato and vinaigrette dressing salad AND a decadent dessert from a higher end grocery store.  Perfection.  Even put a little spring flower in a small vase to complete it all.  Was OK to celebrate alone, but a little sad.  

SharonDe

Sadiecat22 - I wanted to thank you for posting the details about your experience with the SAVI treatment.  It helped me prepare (mentally).  I am now through the first 3 days of my 5 day treatment, and I think my experience has been quite similar to yours.  I did have a Home Health Care nurse over the weekend for dressing changes (set up by the surgeon's office), so that made it easier.

I did experience some pain the first day once the local anesthetic wore off, but since then it has just been a mild discomfort.  

Topquality2

SadieCat22 - I also want to thank you profusely for posting your experience with SAVI.  I just had my meeting with my radiology oncologist, and that is what she and my surgeon are going to do.  I am very thankful for this as I was dreading the external radiation.  It has made my anxiety much less about this procedure.  I have not had my lumpectomy surgery yet, and my surgeon said that I need to heal from that before he inserts the SAVI.  I just want all of this to be over.  So strange to think that two months ago, I felt great.  Now I find out that I have breast cancer, have to have surgery, implants, SAVI, and hormone treatments.  My husband keeps saying to only think about one thing at a time, which is easier said than done.  I just want to get the surgery done, and move forward.  Thank you again for all of the information.  This website has been a salvation for me.  Everyone sharing their experiences has helped me so much.

bearsweet

I am going through the Savi Radiation now.  I am so sorry I ever did this!  It hurts all the time.  I can't move my breast in anyway without pain.  The doctor the put this thing in would NOT allow me to schedule this for a week when my driving teenager was at home.  My husband works days and I've had to drive myself.  I can't take my pain killer because I have to drive.  The bra they put me in hurt almost everywhere and I used the tube top I came home from hospital in.  That feels a lot better.  I can actually feel it when they put the fillers into the tubes.  I really wish I had never done this

SharonDe

Bearsweet  - sorry you are having a difficult time.  Has it improved at all?  I was uncomfortable the first day, but then it got better - even though I always knew the implant was in place.

I could feel a very light pinging as some of the pellet sent into the catheter, but that was it.

I do hope your comfort level has improved.  I have just finished chemo, and am so thankful I do not now have to do 6 weeks of radiation.

Sydneyluv

Hi all,

I had Savi Radiation just about one year ago.  I am sorry Bearsweet that this is not going well for you. Hope you are better today.  Overall I was very satisfied with this treatment. I choose it because I had left sided breast cancer and had concerns about the impact of whole breast radiation on my heart and lungs. I was a perfect candidate, the treatment was very convenient and the whole process over in 8 days. Any pain was quite tolerable. For one day, the Savi appliance was somehow pressing on chest muscles and a little shift there by staff and no more pain. It's a very intense process, very intense and kind of weird!  I worked full time the whole 8 days and was exhausted the weekend following treatment. I laid on the couch most of that time that weekend. I was more tired than usual for probably a month following treatment.  I am 71. My work is physically easy (psychotherapy), but the one thing I would do differently is not work during the Savi radiation. The procedure is too demanding and too intense.  I'm very glad this was my choice.

NEL53

I had the SAVI implant last Wed. June 2, 2014. Although it didn't hurt during the insertion, after the local anesthesia wore off, it was quite painful. The next day I went to radiology for my planning session/simulation. As soon as they saw me they knew I was in a lot of pain. The nurses were so helpful and kind. They told me the location of the implant was extremely unique, which is why I was experiencing so much pain. They gave me some pain meds which help so much, I have a hard time sleeping on one side and not being able to shower and wash my hair for 10 days. I went to Hair Cuttery for a shampoo and will do so again, made me feel human again. I have to have the same treatment on my right breast, and I'm hoping the placement won't cause me as much discomfort. I will start the radiation on Mon. and will be done on Fri. Stay tuned for more...

NEL53

Had my 1st rad on Mon. at 9am, uncomfortable due to placement of SAVI implant, had a lot of drainage over the weekend, had to change my dressing 3 times. I did take a Percocet before the rad and it helped with the pain, didn't take any pain med for afternoon rad session, and it was very uncomfortable, will take pain med before each rad session. Tuesday 9am rad session uneventful, but 3pm session found that the implant had collapsed, I was told I was doing too much activity and to take it easier by the RO due to the unusual placement of the SAVI. Hump day, Wed. was again uneventful, it is difficult to drive myself to and from these rad sessions. I'm feeling the fatigue creeping in, plus I can only sleep in a recliner or with a bed booster because once again the placement of the SAVI makes it impossible to sleep laying down. Only two more days to go.

bearsweet

I too, had a lot of pain during my Savi radiation.  Only because my breast cancer doctor made me do it on a certain week, I could not take pain killers during the day because I was alone and had to drive myself to treatments.  Yes this was due to my doctor telling me I had to do it that week.  I was very shocked when the radiation people told me yes I could have changed to another week.  Plus Savi Sisters refuses to post any negative comments.  This was one of the worst experiences of my life.

Manu14

Overall I'm pleased I went with the Savi radiation last fall; but it did seem like one of the longest weeks of my life.

Certain positions sleeping were uncomfortable. I am small-breasted and just don't think there was a lot of room for the device. Also, I had to be very careful of the site where the tubing exited because moving the wrong way could be painful. The treatments themselves were not a problem at all. As recommended, I took a mild pain pill for when the device was inserted and when it was removed after the five days of treatment. I drove myself to the appointments on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th days of treatments with no problem.

Would I do it again . . . probably because it saved me a ton of time and I didn't have to worry about skin side effects from external radiation. I think it would be difficult to work on the job during the week of rads but working from home would be totally doable. I would just have more realistic expectations that some discomfort is involved. Fatigue came into play by the fifth day and lasted about 10 days following.

GS4240

I had surgery and Savi radiation in 2011.  I was more nervous about the Cat Scan before each treatment than the treatment itself because I get claustrophobic.  The doctor gave me something to calm me down whenever I was nervous.  I was lucky to have someone help me with changing the dressing at home, but I was glad I was able to drive myself for the treatments and did not have any pain.  However, I did have a problem with the removal of the device.  Somehow the radiologist did not remove the entire device and the plastic tip was left in my breast.  This was not discovered until my first follow-up mammogram 4 months later.  I had to go for a second surgery to remove the plastic tip.  The scar has not healed fully because of the second surgery.  I am happy I had the Savi radiation, but this just goes to show that sometimes things don't always go smoothly.  Make sure your doctor checks to make sure the entire device is intact when he removes it.

Moderators

GS4240, Welcome to the BCO community. Thanks for your post. You have joined a unique group of people who offer one another support and information to ease the path. We hope that you will find connections here as you need. The Mods 

mortmain

I've been researching radiation options, and am glad of this thread. 

After reading the ABPI Consensus Paper, I find I fit in the 'suitable' category in every way except that I am just under age 60.

A few questions to those of you who have had internal radiation: was age a factor in your Rad onc's decision to administer the Savi radiation? Are any of you younger than the 60 years minimum recommended by these guidelines? Was Internal suggested to you or did you request it?

My Sim/CT is scheduled for next Thursday, and the more information I have on the subject the better. I plan to repost this on the Summer Rads thread.

Thank you all!

Manu14

I was 61 years old. My surgeon suggested that I would be a good candidate for it primarily because of my cancer profile. Age wasn't discussed. I had never heard of it before that time.

NEL53

Here's a follow up to my previous posts...the week after the 1st SAVI implant was removed entailed crushing fatigue, that lasted about 10 days, however the ability to take a shower and wash my hair over rode the negative side effects. I had about a week in between treatments, so my 2nd round on my right breast began on 7/23/14 with the insertion of the implant, I did know what to expect so I asked for a pain medication script. You must understand that the implant is inserted 5 days prior to the actual rad treatment, so no showers with hair washing allowed and sleeping sitting up begins immediately, plus you are given bandages and instructions to clean and rebandage the area on your own. This time the placement was more tolerable, but still required pain med. Again driving was difficult and I was not allowed to be very active around the house. The rad treatment is not bad at all, it's living with the uncomfortableness of the implant inside and the lack of showers and sleep that are the worst part and then a full week of incredible fatigue. One poster was right, the SAVI Sisters say nothing about the negative side effects of this treatment, but I was blessed that I was a good candidate for it and would do it again. I am 60 yrs old and age didn't come into the decision to use SAVI at all. I am glad to be done with this, but now must decide which Hormone Therapy to go with come October. Hope this helped some people understand this process better. 

SharonDe

Thanks for the update, Nel.

I would just add that my experience was a little different.  My implant was placed on Friday, and treatment started on Monday.  I did have a home nurse visits Sat and Sun to change the dressing.

I was uncomfortable the afternoon of placement, but it wasn't bad after that, and I was able to sleep comfortably in bed.  It's probably different for each of us.

I didn't experience any increase in fatigue that I could attribute to the radiation.  I agree, it was so nice to take a shower finally, once it was all over!

Age was not mentioned as a criterion.  My surgeon is a proponent of SAVI and he is the one who recommended it, based on tumor size, location, no node involvement. I met with the radiation oncologist prior to getting the implant for a second opinion.  

Stardust61

Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences. I am supposed to have the APBI implanted in two days, and now understand what I can expect. I am still waiting for the final path report from my surgery. The sugeon and radiation oncologist will only do it with negative nodes and clean margins. Also tumor has to be below a certain diameter. I don't recall them mentioning age as a criteria as I am 53.

Shayne

I also had the savi inserted on a friday and started treatment the following Monday.  I was fortunate that my rad doctor was the wife of the doctor who invented the savi, here in Arizona.  Had no complications whatsoever.  I knew one person who was in her mid 60s who was one of the first who had the device, in the early 2000s.  She is in her 70s now and doing great!  I found out about Savi here on this site while researching my options.  I lived about 90mins from where i needed to get treatment, so contacted the AM CANCER SOCIETY who have a program - if you live over 45mins from treatment, they find free hotels for you to stay.  I ended up staying at the housing at the Mayo Clinic, which was fabulous.  Cant say enough good things about my experience.  I would chose it again in a heartbeat!  I also had some fatigue, but nothing bad.  I was under the care of a naturopath who gave me a lot of things to do to counteract that with diet, homeopathics and supplements.  

One thing I didnt understand till it happened was, it wasnt until after surgery, that i had to have another mammogram on one side to verify that indeed, i was a good candidate for Savi. AND a CT scan too.  So you can plan, but they will check and double check to make sure all is right.  One friend who had the Savi experienced more discomfort because her breast was small, and because of where her cavity was located.  My doctor has great info on her webpage.  It is located at Arizona Breast Cancer Specialists.  Good luck with your treatment!!

Shayne

oh on the age thing - it does say over 60 is most suitable, but 50-59 was still done with caution.  My friend was 48 and was cleared for treatment.....so there are alot of factors - including clean margins after surgery.  Again, the list is on my doctors website.  I was 54 at treatment, that was 2 years ago.

Stardust61

My final path report had no surpises: Clean margins, 1.8 cm grade 1, and negative lymph nodes. What a relief. I had the SAVI implanted today. The procedure was difficult and painful only because my breasts are very dense and the tumor was deep. If it weren't for that, I think it would have been a lot less painful. I had the same problem with the biopsies. Now that it is in, it doesn't feel too bad. I think I should be able to sleep okay on one side or my back. The SAVI rep was present and my surgeon seemed pretty experienced at implanting it. She told me not to do anything with the bandages. The radiation oncology group will take care of it. I have an appointment with them tomorrow morning to prepare for Monday. I don't regret my course of treatment so far.

Sadiecat22

sharonDe-I've been off the community board for quite a while.  I'm honored to know my post helped you.  Hope all is going wee for you now.  I startedAnastrozole   in April.  That's a whole other discussion board!  My 6 month check up was clear, clear, clear!  

Sadiecat22

Topquality2- wow, I'm so behind...by months, looking at this board.  I'm so pleased to know my post helped you.  Just had my 6 month check up and all is clear.  Am on Anastrozole which isn't so pleasant. I need to figure something out although I push myself to keep exercising.  The joint pain and stiffness is a but rough at times.  Only 4 1/2 years to go on meds.  Headed to that discussion board for suggestions.  

Sadiecat22

I don't recall age being discussed.  Age 59 for me when I went through it with no problems except initial pain following insert of rads catheter.  I expected it and it which went away with short regimen (1 day) of pain meds.  

Shayne

I was on aromasin - the joint pain was so severe i couldnt exercise.  Then i had some very severe SEs and had to immediately go off of them.  i didnt try anything else or continue with that course of treatment.  I think my percentage of recurrence is at 2%, so decided what was best for me was my quality of life.  Im happy with my decision, and dont spend a lot of time worrying about it. Good luck to you all and YAY for Clean Margins!!