TESTS (PREPPING) FOR BREAST CANCER
PREPARING FOR SURGERY
BEFORE SURGERY YOU MAY HAVE TESTS SUCH AS:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)to check your heart rhythm,
- A chest x-ray,
- Blood tests, and
- Any other tests needed to plan your care.
Your doctor may also recommend that you see other healthcare providers and talk with you about which medications you should take the morning of your surgery.
GETTING READY FOR YOU SURGERY
You and your care team will work together to get ready for your surgery.
Think about what medications you’re on to help keep yourself.
I take a blood thinner, such as:
- Aspirin
- Heparin
- Warfarin (Jantoven® or Coumadin®)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix®)
- Enoxaparin (Lovenox®)
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa®)
- Apixaban (Eliquis®)
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
Obviously, there are many other medications and your overall health to factor in. The smallest little thing could be important so do not leave anything out.
PRESURGICAL TESTING (PST)
Before your surgery, you’ll have an appointment for presurgical testing (PST). The date, time, and location will be printed on the appointment reminder from your surgeon’s office. It’s helpful to bring the following things to your PST appointment:
- A list of all the medications you’re taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, patches, and creams.
- Results of any tests such as a cardiac stress test, echocardiogram (a test of the action of the heart using ultrasound waves to produce a visual display, for the diagnosis or monitoring of heart disease), or carotid doppler study (an imaging test).
- The name(s) and telephone number(s) of your healthcare provider(s).
Just before you go into surgery you sort of sign your life away. Without the signature, the surgery doesn’t go ahead.
I know it’s easier said than done but keeping calm just before surgery is so important. Surgery will not take place if your blood pressure is high. I took a book with me and drowned myself in the story so deeply that when it finally became my turn, my blood pressure stayed really low.
During your PST appointment, you’ll meet with a nurse practitioner (NP). They work closely with anesthesiology staff (specialized healthcare providers who will give you anaesthesia during your surgery).
Identify your caregiver
- Your caregiver plays an important role in your care.
- Before your surgery, you and your caregiver will learn about your surgery from your healthcare providers.
- After your surgery, your caregiver will take you home when you’re discharged from the hospital.
