*NEW here/ IV sedation?

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purple32
purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hello to all

I am over 50, post menopausal,  and have multiple health issues...the newest is infiniltrating ductal carcinoma ( grade 1 , ER and PR  +   HER-  )

Are there others who have had surgery with pulmonary ( or perhaps cardiac?) issues?  I have copd and have dodged many a surgery in my time.,  I am petrified of anesthethia and for good reason.

 The surgeon said she is willing to consider IV sedation for lumpectomy and node removal, but cannot guarantee it of course- general may become necessary.

Even if you have no  co-morbidity, are there ppl. out there who can tell me ( *good*) stories of lumpectomy removal with IV sedation only ? I cannot handle a horror story at this juncture.  I am only just getting my feet wet - not in denial.

 Right now , I am more concerned with  (what's left of) my lung tissue as I can live without some breast tissue though I will grieve that , I am certain.  I am not a stranger to the sadness of cancer.  Just a  few yrs ago my husband had stage 3-4 colon and things did not look good for a  very very long time. (People even had fundraiser for him)  .  he had surgery, ileostomy and 9 mos of chemo plus some radiation beforehand. He workerd thru most of this and then returned for reversal surgery. In the initial operation, he was informed hey could not get clean margins NOR could they go back in so he had add'l proton radaition.

He seems to be as healthy as a horse today.  People who havent seen him act as though they are bumping into a ghost...but we live in the shadow of his cancer, trust me.

 My issues are different,.

 Can anyone relate ?  Any stories of successful lumpectomy with IV sedation, ESP if with another health issue ?

Many thanks and blessings to each and every one !

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2012

    test

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited April 2012

    purple32 how terrible for you that you should have to face BC on top of everything else.  I can't offer you any advice re your question as i ga GA and mastectomy but i did want to welcome you to BCO.

    There are many members here and it's very possible that one who can answer your question will be along soon.  please don't be put off if it takes a little time as weekends and holidays can make the forums a little quieter.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2012

    Thanks very much for your reply.... I appreciate the welcome !  Sorry that we have to ' meet this way".  I  am here ( forum) to stay.  I have been lurking for days, and it's the best place I have found on the net.

     I thank you!

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  • Alirena
    Alirena Member Posts: 82
    edited April 2012

    Have you and your surgeon discussed a thoracic paravertebral block?

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2012

    No ....not at all because I am ' hearing" that IV sedation is not that uncommon with lx and node biposy  ( correct ?)  BUT  I will certainly google this and I thank you!

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2012

    I dunno".....a  very quick google search  ( 4 sites ) pretty much says :

    "We demonstrated that paravertebral nerve block, when compared with general anesthesia, is an alternative technique for breast surgery that may offer pain relief superior to general anesthesia alone."

    which seems to suggest to me that the block alone is not enough.

    Scary.

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  • mixin
    mixin Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2012

    Hi purple32,

    I had lumpectomies performed on both breasts, then the surgeon had to go back a second time to get clear margins. Both lumps were deep; one was sitting at the edge of the chest wall.

    The first time I had general but the second time, I opted for IV sedation. No horror story but I did wake up to some degree 2 times. I remember saying: "pain" and "stitches"; but that really took a lot of effort. They immediately put me under deeper each time. Interestingly, the surgeon said he wasn't doing anything when I said "pain"; it must have been a delayed reaction.

    I was concerned a bit about waking up during surgery and we talked about prior to making my decision. I think that maybe in my sedated state, I was trying to let them know I wasn't completely out (more than being bothered by the pain).  

    I'd do it again; just because I hate how I feel when I come out from under general. 

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2012

    Thanks for your reply, mixin.   Good to know you would ' do it again", and seriously hope you dont have to!~  :>)

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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited April 2012

    When they went back for better margins, they have me IV sedation. I couldn't tell the difference from the general. The doctor thought I woke up sooner than she expected, but I was being glued shut, so it was OK. I was a bit worried about the word sedation, but I didn't experience any pain. They did give me a general for the mastectomy, but that was more involved surgery.

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2012

    Thanks,  Wren.

     Glued shut ???????

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