Biopsy Day

I just got home from the procedure. I think I can declare that this was worse than a filling. Also even worse than the lumpectomy I had back in 1987. Yes, I can remember back that far! 😉

So this needle biopsy is done with the patient laying on their stomach on a not terribly comfortable table with the target breast hanging through a hole. The “pillow” for your head is hardly that. Now, both the doctor and the assistant told me what would happen, but at no time did they mention “you will have to lay perfectly still for probably one hour so get into the best position possible for that.” Also, while they were very nice, they left me there with my head facing towards a wall not seeing anything that was happening and often did not come around to talk to me for long stretches. I would hear THEM talking behind me, but I had no idea what was going on. Very unnerving. I pride myself on being able to withstand many uncomfortable or painful situations as long as mentally I know there will be an end and I can mark when that will be. Apparently though, the table I was on had an xray machine attached to it. The table was raised up so that they could have my breast at eye level. Then the breast was compressed into position just as for a mammogram. They took many shots trying to find the target calcification. Once that was found and marked, they cleaned an area and then injected lydocane. With the breast numbed (or so they thought!!), then the real work began which they told be earlier would only take one to two minutes. HAH! More like 15-20!! They calibrated the machine that would suck out the tissue, they inserted the needle, they talked, they played with the machine some more, then took more pictures, then said that the needle with the lydocane had actually MOVED the calcification so they had to remark everything again. More pictures, then re position the needle and recalibrate the machine again. More pictures. Finally the machine does it’s thing sucking out the tissue. At this point I am starting to feel something. They tell me that they need to take the tissue and run a quick test to make sure it is sufficient. Fine. I am stiff and starting to feel some sharp pains in my breast tissue, but I will deal. They come back and announce that it is good – yay! Oh, but now they tell me that the tissue removal actually took out all of the calcification and they need to leave a marker inside the breast so that any future doctor will see where the biopsy occurred. Ok, Fine. It is starting to hurt, but I can bear it. I certainly don’t want them to stop and put in more lydocane at this point as it is nearly over. But wait! When they were pulling the needle out the damn marker they had inserted came out again with it!! ARRRGH!! Now it really freaking hurts. Burning pain. I tell them OK, but I am feeling pain so please get it right this time! More burning and pulling and then finally they say it is there. At this point I cannot help it but I am crying. Now they still keep me lying there and apply pressure to the entry wound and tell me I can move my arms and legs. I tell them I dont care about THAT, my breast HURTS!! Then she releases the pressure clamp from the mammogram machine and I feel relief. Phew.

Lots of ice, must keep the one set of bandages on for 3-5 days and I am sent on my way. Oh, they showed me the tissue samples – yummy!! Results my Friday. I’m going to go lie on the couch and watch Oprah. Maybe pour myself a vodka later.