Breast Cancer Now What?: The SAVI

SAVI & RADIATION

I made it to surgery on Wednesday, April 9th! Another great surgical team at UCLA to see me through.

Natalia and Joe went with me and stayed the entire time. The planes were all deployed on Tuesday, so, Joe was able to stay. Natalia stayed in the pre-op room with me until it was time to go into surgery. The anesthesiologist, Dr. Svilik, explained why having any kind of irritation in my lungs might be affected by anesthesia and the other risks, relatively speaking. She was very pleasant and social. The ER nurse was great as well. Everyone involved introduced themselves and explained their part in the procedure. Efficient and comforting.

While I was waiting Dr. Schmit dropped by! He said he saw my name on the board and wanted to see what was going on. He checked the incision site and made a joke about my pending procedure and then he was gone. I can't explain why I was so uplifted that he stopped by. Is it because I felt I was not 'out of sight out of mind' - did I feel that I was, genuinely cared for by a professional who isn't required to? I've been to so many doctors that don't remember me from one day to the next. I have been a regular patient to doctor's that who, on every visit, need a run-down of my history! At this time, in my particular situation, to have a doctor that would see my name on the board and pop in to see how I'm doing - it's overwhelmingly appreciated!! I could cry just thinking about it.

I didn't know which device I would have implanted but was so pleased to wake and find I had been given the SAVI! This is what we were hoping for (the doctors and me!). Shortly after waking I was taken to the brachytherapy room and met Alfred Jamison - he has been on Dr. Demanes' brachytherapy team for several years - and nurse, James Harkcom (I have to make sure of the spelling). Alfred and James explained everything about the CT process. Dr. Demanes came in to see how everything was going and viewed the CT. Everything was in place and ready to go!! All the while Alfred and James made me feel cared for and cared about. A bedside manner that can't go underappreciated. Every kind word, every smile, and every hand-up heals the spirit a little more.

Yesterday, Friday, April 11th, I had my first treatments. I arrived (I drove myself - yes, in my 1994 standard Saturn - I don't even want to go there) around 0630 for my 0715 appointment. Alfred and Tom greeted me and prepped me for the CT scan. Lots of enjoyable conversation and banter helped to keep me distracted from my nervousness. The scan showed the balloon was ready to go and I was moved to another gurney and taken to the radiation room around the corner. The room is relatively small; maybe 8 x 10 feet? It's white and plenty of bright lights; round (like spot lights) embedded in the ceiling and square blocks with tube lighting covered by what looked like the insert of the old ice-cube trays (metal with a latch to pop out the ice cubes). The ceiling tile was like that of a drop ceiling. The double doors are what scared me the most. Alfred told me that they would stay open until it was time to start radiation and they would all be in a remote room that could hear and see me - I could communicate with them, as well. Alfred started the music that piped into the room; Jack Johnson. When everyone cleared out and the thick doors slowly closed I felt my pulse race. I had to close my eyes and not watch them shut completely. I focused on the music (very relaxing, by the way) and ignored the clicks and whirs coming from the robot. I felt my breast become warm towards the end of treatment but otherwise there was nothing. No pain, no discomfort. It was all over in about 10 - 15 minutes. Alfred told me about the Botanical gardens close by and recommended them as a calming and pleasant way to kill time before my next treatment in a few hours.

I set my GPS and used MAPS to set my walking path. I felt a little weird in my head...not sure how to explain it - not dizzy, or nauseous...something different. It wasn't anything that I was alarmed about and I didn't feel the need to stop walking so I kept going. The gardens were easy to find. I wound around dirt paths and stopped to read some of the markers. I was a little distracted by the sounds of construction vehicles, etc. going on around the gardens, though, until I got to a lower level and sat in a chair along a moving stream. The chairs were set facing each other with a small table in between. I could imagine a chess game being played there. I sat in one of the chairs for quite a while. One hour? Two? Not sure, but it was a while. When the temperatures started rising, I got up and walked on. Further along the stream I found large turtles. I stopped and watched them for a few minutes and, then, continued on. I was profoundly relaxed and void of anxiousness of any kind. A first - not just since being diagnosed with cancer, but, for years. This space within that was previously filled with worry was, now, allowing me to rest. I found my way out and back to UCLA. I went to the car, in the garage, and fell asleep. I slept for a few hours. When I woke up I went back into the building and waiting for second treatment. Dr. Demanes passed through stopping to shake my hand (with his two hands) and ask how I was doing with a pleasant smile and warm gesture. When I responded that I was doing well, I, actually, meant it. Tom came and got me when it was time. Alfred and Tom set me up and away we went (can't forget the physicists! Their involvement in planning and the process is crucial). Tom asked where I worked and my experience in the Navy...he asked how I was motivated to enter the service and, especially, work as a cryptologist. When I started talking about my Dad's involvement with nuclear power, Tom mentioned Hyman Rickover! I told him, yes, my Dad was connected to Rickover and I told him my Dad was involved in the first 'Mission to Mars' program and Tom said "Nerva" and I said "Yes"! I could not believe how much Tom knew about all of this! Then we talked about code breaking and the rich history of such. He asked how I was able to break the codes, in general, and just then the fellow came in and asked how everything was going. He, too, was very pleasant and professional. Tom left and returned with the physicist and introduced him to me and said to me "are you a cryptologist or cryptographer" and I said "cryptologist"...he turned to the physicist and said "cryptologist". Funny! I felt like part of the team! After the treatment, and after Alison wrapped my cables, Tom showed me the CT scans and printed copies for me! He explained the physicists involvement in planning and showed me the slices of images that were used in the planning. Amazing and I am extremely grateful to Tom for taking the time! LaLaine came in, too! Very pleasant and happy. After saying my goodbyes I took my tired self home. Traffic wasn't as grueling as I expected.

I was tired but happy to be home with Natalia and I would have taken her to the moon if she wanted to go. Instead, she chose Target and World Market. :) We picked up the Walking Dead game for PS3 and she played while I lit a fire and lay down on my now familiar bed - the couch. When she realized I was falling asleep she quit playing. She has been so helpful and caring. She will lift things for me and ask me if she can do anything.

I may zero-in on things that I feel I am missing but I am so thankful for the things I have been given. This couch is the most comfortable couch in the most wonderful room with a beautiful fireplace and big flat-screen TV. I have a yard and sunshine everyday. I have the best healthcare I could every have hoped for with the most fabulous doctors, nurses and staff that I never could have imagined possible. I have a church and church family that has filled my heart with love and hope. I have a job that fulfills me and makes me feel needed. I have family that loves me! God is everywhere and I am thankful.

The SAVI as seen on the CT Scan