Savi radiation

Enghien

It is not a no-brainer. What know doesn't see on a lot is posts and sites is that it is actually 9 days, not 5 (2 for positioning and most hospitals take the weekend off for radiation, so add an other 2) and can be very painful, especially for small-breasted women, where there is less cushioning. Mine has to be re-positioned several times (no anesthesia, a it was a pushed in further, pushed around and the fluid was pushed out, causing more bruising). So, if one is hardy, a good option due to the relatively short time. But, even though I am pretty good on tolerating pain, this was wretched. The male doctor explained that any pain was just due to pressure. As the time went on, I analogies that to pressure, such as having a dagger inserted 3/4 of the way through your breast, that would be shifted from time to time .... The radiation was painless, though!

NLo

Hi all,

I am in my 4th day of rads. The SAVI has been very painful for me. The insertion was not too bad - i just felt pressure - bc I was numbed, but once that wore off - OMG it hurt very badly. Sharp pains shoot across my left breast on top of where it's located. I was put on Tylenol 3 since Motrin and Tylenol were doing nothing for me. Still, I can only sleep a few hours at a time.

I was told it hurts bc the catheter was placed close to the skin and also under the lumpectomy incision. I have a high pain tolerance and this was so bad I couldn't bend down to put on my socks or tie my shoes. I can't lift a coffee mug (with the left hand) without sharp pains in my left breast. I am extremely apprehensive about the SAVI removal tomorrow after my final treatment, but I will be glad to get it out.

To anyone considering SAVI, I would say (as long as i dont have any lingering pain!) i still think it's worth it if you are a candidate. Most women don't seem to have any discomfort. Even though I've had 10 days of misery, it was worth it to avoid 6 weeks of whole breast radiation and the complications that come with that. I will try to remember to post about the catheter removal and after effects.

ceanna

Bump.

I had Savi radiation in January 2015 and for the most part am glad I had chosen that path--it was fairly painless, I had virtually no side effects, and radiation was done in 5 days (2x per day) saving me considerable drive time to treatments in winter weather.  

I'm curious what those of you who posted on this thread months or even years before my radiation treatments (or anyone else who has done Savi) have experienced since your Savi delivered radiation.  My experience has been one of slow healing from the additional wound/scar--still very noticeable after 4 1/2 months, minor pain in the wound area if I move just wrong, and a pulsing/vibrating sensation in that breast that has not decreased in these past months.  I have not had any swelling or discoloration, but have not yet had my followup appointment.   Anyone able to share their post-Savi experience? 

Manu14

It's been about 19 months since I finished SAVI radiation. I felt odd sensations in the breast off and on during the entire first year following rads. No one explained that ahead of time but acknowledged that such is often the case once I asked about it. I am still dealing with a seroma in the area where the device had been implanted. It feels firm, slightly moveable but not painful. I wish it would disappear but none of the doctors can really predict if it will or to what extent. I still have some discoloration in that area. It was worth doing the SAVI - I just wish I had been better informed about it . . . meaning more than what the handout pamphlets tell you.

Shayne

I had SAVI 3 years ago. All is well, healed well, no complications whatsoever

GoodConstitution

What side effects did you differ from radiation and how are you now?  Debating standard radiation or SAVI. 

THANK YOU!

GoodConstitution

What side effects did you suffer from radiation and how are you now?  Debating standard radiation or SAVI. 

THANK YOU!

ceanna

Goodconstitution, I can't say I experienced any side effects from the savI delivered radiation itself. Studies have shown that the radiation delivered either way has about the same effectiveness. If you scroll up on this page to my entry on May 31, 2015, you can read about some of the physical issues I had or didn't have at the time or shortly after treatment. Now six months out from SAVI radiation, I have only occasional pains and the scar is looking some better. SAVI has some advantages--usually no skin burning, not noted for heart or bone damage possible with whole breast radiation, and only 5 days of actual treatment instead of 6 weeks, but you do have the device in for about 9-10 days--mostly painless, but uncomfortable, and you will have to clean and care for the wound yourself over the weekend (also no showers while it is in--you cannot get area wet). There are certain medical qualifications for radiologists to consider it an option for you, and some insurance companies drag their feet, but I'm still glad I chose brachytherapy using SAVI. Skim this thread and you will see other women's experiences. Best wishes no matter what you decide! Please come back to this thread and let us know what you choose.

minus2

I had my SAVI implanted last Thursday. Two CAT scans were done to confirm condition and position of the device.

I start radiation on Monday.

I have been told I need a CAT scan before every radiation treatment (even the two on the same day) to verify that

the SAVI has not moved between treatments.

Has anyone else experienced this requirement?

I am concerned about all the CAT scan radiation.

ceanna

minus2, yes, unfortunately, the scan before each treatment seems necessary to confirm device placement. They say it is so critical that the device be in the exact place because of all the calculations they do to determine how much radiation each of the seven catheters deliver and where. Maybe that will make more sense when you have had your first treatment and hear the little clicks as the device delivers the radiation to multiple spots along the catheter. I asked the radiologist who responded that each scan produced less radiation than living in a high altitude city like Denver or flying cross country. I've never researched that point, but try not to think about it. Overall, the actual device delivered radiation treatments focus the treatment to the area of the cancer and are less likely to damage heart and bones so maybe the benefit of less damage potential from the SAVI outweighs the possible risk of the scans.

I hope you are not too uncomfortable and get through the weekend taking care of the bandaging and cleaning by yourself okay. Just think by this time next week, it will be gone and the treatment over!!! Best wishes. Ask if you have any more questions or PM me.

Moderators

minus2, we second all that canna said so well. We wish you the very best, and please let us know how things go this week.

minus2

Today was "hump day" for me. Two more days!!

I am doing fine. The worst day was the day of the implant (Thursday) because

the CAT scan that afternoon showed air between the SAVI and the cavity wall which

they massaged out. I spent a painful (and bloody) evening and night.

I used a lot of ice packs. But by noon the next day things had quieted down.

Treatments have been uneventful, pretty much like the literature describes them.

I do what I normally would, but I do find a lot of physical activity, like

yard work, causes the site to drain more.

My breast is turning pink over the implant site, so I am burning. Nothing hurts, at least not yet.

Nurses gave me some cream to use.

Can just imagine what whole breast radiation would have been with my red head skin.

I would appreciate some info on how long it will take the hole to heal over once the device is pulled.

Thanks

ceanna

minus2, I'm glad things are going as well as they can. Sorry you're getting a burn, but only 2 days to go!! I asked the same question about healing when I had finished radiation. A person responded and said her wound took a couple of weeks to close. My healing of the actual hole (which they do not stitch shut--it needs to heal from the inside out) took about a month and now 6 months later my scar is still quite noticeable but definitely improving--I have always healed slowly so don't use my time--results will vary!! I had to continue to cover with a dressing until the hole closed, but it was easy to just stick in my bra. You'll be so much more comfortable once they remove the device on Friday and just think how lovely that first shower will feel!!!

Hummingbird49

I am having my last 2 treatments of radiation tomorrow with a Savi device. The device is somewhat uncomfortable but worth the short term treatment plan of 5 days, 2 x a day. I am having no tiredness or burning. The main discomfort for me has been that I have a torn rotator cuff and it is hard holding my arm up for the C scan. There was a glitch in my treatment as the scanner didn't work on Wednesday and so treatment was delayed that was suppose to end Friday so I will have had the Savi in for 12 days. I had no pain when the balloon went in after surgery to hold the space open for placement of the Savi. I have a prick every once in awhile but had that after the surgery. I did have a very large hematoma after the biopsy and that was removed during the lumpectomy with no more bruising after surgery, etc. I would recommend this to anyone who is able. Front opening bras work the best during the treatments such as a sports bra. Do not tape the wires in place. Cover with a split square of gauze with bacitracin on it and then a padded type of gauze and hold in place with the bra. I held a pillow over my hip with my arm resting on it for most of my sleeping in bed after first night in recliner. Savi comes out tomorrow after last treatment and then hope I can shower soon.

Moderators

Hi Hummingbird49, welcome to Breastcancer.org and thank you for posting and sharing your experiences with everybody here. We hope you're founding this to be a supportive place!

Please let us know if we can be of any assistance,

The Mods

syd

I had savi 2 times a day for 5 days NO SIDE affects at ALL... Not even tired....would highly recommend Savi!!

Moderators

syd, welcome, and thanks for sharing your experience!