I had to go for a pre-op EKG this morning.

Seems I have a little number called "atrial fibrillation." I know this means some kind of occasional rhythmic weirdness in my heartbeat. They want to postpone surgery until I have been evaluated by a cardiologist on 4/6.

What is wrong with my reasoning here: A-Fib CAN kill you. I get that. But breast cancer WILL effing kill you.

It's my body, and I say, DAMN THE TORPEDOES and let's get on with it. I'm willing to take the chance. Besides, life is terminal anyway. I'd rather go quickly than by degrees.

Thanks for letting me vent my little tantrum.

Much of this apparent concern is all about defending themselves in a law suit...

Exactly.

Easy, catnip.
I know it's frustrating -- but these folks really are trying to look out for your best interest.
And we don't want to lose you from a-fib on the table, either!

Vent away, we're here for you :)

Afib is treatable and should be controlled before surgery. You are getting good advice. Go with it.

If it has never caused a problem, you likely don't have to worry much about it, but it's a good idea to check it out.

I'm so sorry for the added stress. You certainly don't need it or deserve. it. Do try to relax as best you can.

My docs told me before surgery that a week or two (or longer) isn't much when dealing with this. I know it is overwhelming, and you want to get it over as quickly as possible.

I was first diagnosed in December. Met with first team of doctors early January. 2nd team of doctors a week later. The first team was scheduling me out for surgery longer than the second team was going to. So that and other factors combined, I went with the second team (it was my second opinion.)

It was more than a month from initial diagnosis to my surgery. It was scheduled after the holidays which caused a delay by some.

Try and find out beforehand if they'll be removing lymph nodes. That is a second surgery in tandem with the first. That way they'll get both over with at the same time. Someone I know had hers removed in two separate surgical procedures. Mine were removed during the lumpectomy.

And you dear are a sweetheart!

❤️

Mwah!

If it's any comfort catnip, I finished my radiation treatments today and received a certificate of graduation.

Now I can celebrate that's over with. There is an end in sight.

You'll get there too. :-)

Although my life has irretrievably changed. Now I'll be having follow-up checkups for at least the next ten years.

But hey, it's all worth it.

Thanks, catnip.

Hope your treatment plan goes well for you.

Catnip, you are *really* going to have to treat yourself once all of this is over with. (((hugs)))

Catnip, have you had a biopsy yet? The reason I ask is because there are forms of BC that are very slow growing, especially for older women.

In some instances, based on your age, if you have one of the very slow growing kinds, there really is no need to "hurry up right now" other than to deal with the anxiety.

And to Anon 3 _ I don't have any idea what Stanford would charge me to do that. I'm a native Californian, but I don't think that counts as I haven't been a resident there for more than half-a-century. And as to a stress test - due to horrific spinal arthritic degeneration, I can't be on my feet for more than, maybe, 2 - 3 minutes.

I never gave thought to any of that other stuff. The only "drinks" I can think of with any degree of enthusiasm would be shots of Glenfidditch, but I don't imagine that's what you are talking about.

I've never set foot in the hospital - it's somewhere on the other side of town. Can you take your own meds with you? I take about a bazillion different kinds of pills, and I don't need the hospital trying to charge me $100 for each pill. I never heard of a hospital permitting you to bring your own stash.

Won't your surgery be outpatient?

Most of them are that are lumpectomies.

You may be able to go home the same day.

Omg, its a lumpectomy! I thought it was out and out full surgery!
Take deep breaths. I apologize. The worst thing about a lumpectomy is that you might get fibromyalgia from the nerves for a bit.

As for the surgery being put off, surgeons an pull you in in 24 hours or putyou off for months depending on your symptoms. Them pushing you off gives you more time to put flowers in. Its a good thing!

Might not be as major as some procedures but it's still something to take seriously.

The stress test is chemical. You drink something, they inject something. You're lying down, they take a reading, it's done. No sweat.
You bring your own stash so they can take it off the labels. You can't take your own meds instead of theirs.
I don't know where you are in CA but all hospitals have social service people who will cut your hospital bill on sliding scale. Even Stanford. But alot of hospitals do this, after the surgery.
Drinks? The hospital menu will be extensive and you can eat as much and when you can. When you come out of surgery, you will have issues with your stomach. If there are any drinks not on menu, bring it. It is important you drink ( in fact they use a hat after most surgeries) and eat.
Yes, the hospital is across town but going out there without the stress of recovering from surgery helps bring down the anxiety and can put you into contact with support groups.
Yes, once you try calida, all you want is calida!

Stanford fixes it with a 5 minute shock to the heart.
They do an evaluation with drugs and it is only once which covers all of your surgeries. It is a stress test. Takes 1/2 hour.

Yes it is a gigantic piss off your first surgery.But,everyone goes thru it. If you have another, all these tests will just be clicked off by intake nurse.

So, have you set up your support groups, pillows, drinks,etc? Seen the hospital, seen the room you will be in? Do you have your hospital bag? Your drugssb taken with you. And i always use calida nightgowns. Its worth the $ on amazon.

I had a surgery at Stanford U. Hospital when I was 18. Used to go to the Stanford medical plaza for doctors visits, dental visits, etc. The "good old days." (Weren't really all that good, but I did have health insurance.)

Had to google Calida nightgowns. Now I'm going to have to order one of them as well. Made in Switzerland? They look comfy cozy and well made.

Support groups are good, catnip.

Here's one that is nationwide called Hope Chest. It's for breast cancer patients who are uninsured or underinsured who need help paying for reconstruction following mastectomy.

https://www.myhopechest.org/about-us/history

That's just one of many support groups for breast cancer patients and survivors. The ones near you will have resources closer to home, and classes/support groups. You're going to make new friends and discover new strengths you didn't know you had before.

I too have a-fib. Controlled very well with 2 meds. What my cardiologist told me was that a-fib itself won't kill you...it's the blood clot(s) that can form in your atrium that can do the damage. Good luck with getting through this. Have they scheduled you for a cardioversion? That will get your heart back into sinus rhythm.

Wish I could fuss over you and help distract you with cheerful things while you wait. It’s going to be ok.

ARGH... I can't get back into my registered name...

About the frustration of health issues, I get it! It takes longer to recover, even from small things. Some health issues don't go away anymore. All big adjustments!
The older we become, the more surprises! Not only that, but we know the consequences of the health issues which is difficult to deal with.

I've learned that I have to be my own advocate as long as I can. I do have it set up for one of my children to be my Medical Power of Attorney. When I was so sick, I had her call the doctor and deal with my health problems. She did a great job.

I thought I had A Fib, but it's just an irregular heart beat. Whew.

Hang in there. Think through your decisions, carefully. I recommend setting up a POA for medical and financial issues. It my case, it's part of my Living Will and Trust.

We have POA for each other, actually. We took care of that a long time ago.

Catnip,
Sending positive vibes and gentle thoughts your way. All the best to you. Hang in there.

So you usually take your own meds at home before and after unless you need something more frequently. They'll likely tell you to fast and only sip a little water to swallow pills.

If you've had a biopsy I should think they'd be able to tell you if it's slow growing. Mine had been there for four years, so was very slow growing.

I would also think they could do a lumpectomy and have a specialist and a portable defibulator in the room in the unlikely chance your heart needed urging.

I was mostly awake for my breast surgeries and was completely awake for the secondary one when they widened of the margins. I still remember the calm friendly conversations going on around me with everyone asking how others would celebrate Mothers Day and what kinds of jobs they needed done on their houses. It was certainly quicker and easier than other surgeries I've had. Everyone was especially nice to me and I appreciated it. Hope yours goes as well.

Sending you good thoughts and the warmest of wishes. Sorry for the added worries and frustrations. Do take care and pamper yourself as much as possible.

I understand your urgency to get this done as soon as possible. The delay to get your cardiac clearance is a wise one. Your cancer diagnosis is slow. A week or two delay is not going to make that worse. Surgery has a higher risk of killing you at this point. So it is all about choosing the lowest risk to move forward at this point to have the best outcome. This is not about avoiding a lawsuit.

Hang in there it’s one step at a time.

Very sage advice, RMM. It's natural to want to get it over with ASAP. I was told basically the same thing by doctors when scheduling for first and second opinions. It was still stressful, ie, the wait that is. Once finally in surgery it was almost anti-climactic.

Catnip, trust you're being taken care of by professionals who do have your best interest at heart.

Biggest hugs to you both Catnip and Amyjo

Thank you so much, MexMom.

Catnip's journey is just beginning. I still don't feel out of the woods yet, but am taking things one day at a time.

Catnip, you have many here rooting for you! You aren't going this alone! :-)