Potential heart problem before lumpectomy

Upstate, glad your tests, while stressful, turned out well and you can go ahead with the surgery as scheduled. Your diagnosis is the same as mine. I know you'll do well. Are you having chemo also? I had SAVI brachytherapy rads and no chemo. Let us know how you're doing, and please ask if you have any questions as you move forward.

Hi Upstate. Worrying is our natural state!!! Going in for surgery is the unnatural!! If you have not had anesthesia before I can understand your fears. My experiences have been okay and I have tended to be instantly awake and not groggy, but that often depends on length you're under (you probably won't be out that long with LX), the type of anesthesia given, and how your body reacts to it. You will meet with anesthesiologist before your surgery in addition to your surgeon so express your concerns with them, ask for the lowest dose possible (they can adjust in surgery as needed) and mention any allergies you have to meds before so they go with the most appropriate meds. LX is most often out patient surgery so they probably will give you only enough anesthesia for the short surgery, your recovery room time is lessened, and you will be on your way home before you know it!

SAVI is a type of brachytherapy with a device inserted in the effected breast for about 10 days. Twice daily rads are done for 5 days through this device. Long term results are similar to full breast radiation and often have fewer burns and side effects, especially if your treatment is on left side where the heart is. Just search the BCO site and type SAVI in the search box to read more. Otherwise send me a private message and I can give you more detail. Not every breast center has the capabilities for SAVI, and I'm sure some things have changed in the 4 years since I had it. If your center does offer SAVI, they would be asking you before your surgery if you wanted it, since I think they leave the surgery site a little different than when you have full breast rads. There are also new or different types of brachytherapy rads, so ask your doctors what's possible where you are.

Your questions about your cousin would probably need to be addressed by her doctors. There are so many factors that determine things like that. My guess would be that it depends on ER/PR/HERG status, grade (how fast cancer is growing), and how many of the nodes they took were involved (Say only 1 of 4 nodes showed). Your cousin having BC does beg the question as to whether or not you have had genetic testing for BC. That often happens from the biopsy sample or breast tissue removed in surgery so, again, ask your doctor about that if you haven't already had it.

If they are proceeding on your original schedule you are probably going in the next week. Please ask if you have any more questions or concerns. You may send me a Private Message if that works for you also. All the best for fast, successful, uneventful surgery! Blessings, Ceanna

Thanks Alice, that's interesting to know.