HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Para-vertebral nerve block vs. General Anesthesia

AlaskaAngel · 11-11-2011, 10:27 AM

Your mom is one tough woman, and thanks for sharing so that others can consider it in making their own choices.

I had just a lumpectomy at age 51, and I don't remember being quite THAT hardy. When the anesthesiologist met with me he indicated I would have a general, but my surgeon walked in, and knowing me, told the anesthesiologist that I was not to have a general. I enjoyed being awake during the entire process, including personally examining the chunks of breast that were removed and discussing it all throughout the procedure, including the removal of one sentinel node (benign). After surgery he asked how many pain pills I wanted, 10 or 25, and I said 10. I ended up using just 3 of them.

Congrats to your mom on getting through the first part so well. I will advise some caution about overdoing since one has a harder time undoing any problems from that.

AlaskaAngel

11-11-2011, 10:27 AM	#2
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Re: Para-vertebral nerve block vs. General Anesthesia Your mom is one tough woman, and thanks for sharing so that others can consider it in making their own choices. I had just a lumpectomy at age 51, and I don't remember being quite THAT hardy. When the anesthesiologist met with me he indicated I would have a general, but my surgeon walked in, and knowing me, told the anesthesiologist that I was not to have a general. I enjoyed being awake during the entire process, including personally examining the chunks of breast that were removed and discussing it all throughout the procedure, including the removal of one sentinel node (benign). After surgery he asked how many pain pills I wanted, 10 or 25, and I said 10. I ended up using just 3 of them. Congrats to your mom on getting through the first part so well. I will advise some caution about overdoing since one has a harder time undoing any problems from that. AlaskaAngel __________________ Dx 2002 age 51 bc for granny, aunt, cousin, sister, mother. ER+/PR+/HER2+++, grade 3 IDC 1.9 cm, some DCIS, Stage 1, Grade 3 Lumpectomy, CAFx6 (no blood boosters), IMRT rads, 1 3/4 yr tamoxifen Rads necrosis BRCA 1 & 2 negative Trials: Early detection OVCA; 2004 low-dose testosterone for bc survivors Diet: Primarily vegetarian organic; metformin (no diabetes), vitamin D3 Exercise: 7 days a week, 1 hr/day No trastuzumab, no taxane, no AI NED