January 26, 2011

• Biopsy

  I had the biopsy done today. It was a little more serious than what I was expecting. I was really just thinking that it was going to just be a cyst & once they found that out, they would just let me go.  Or that whatever it was had just gone away & they would just send my on my merry way.  Unfortunately that was not the case.

  I know many of you have been through this before, but also just as many have not & have no idea (like me ) what to expect.

  I think that for now,  the hardest part is going to be waiting for the results. It will probably be Monday, maybe even Tuesday before I hear back.
  I am not going to dwell on that though. I will just put it out of my mind and when they call, they call....

  For those of you who have never had one done, I will explain how mine was done (I don't know if they are all handled the same way or not?)
  First it was just the ultra sound tech. She found the area again using Ultrasound & marked it with a pen. Told me what all would be done. I was also asked permission to allow a rep (yes, a man) from a company who has developed a new "marker" or "tag" that is inserted into the area that the tissue was taken from. They do this so as it will show up in future mammograms & ultrasounds. Of course, I said yes to allowing him watch the doctor do the procedure. Stuff like that doesn't really bother me.
  Then the nurse comes in and also tells me things to expect. Between the 2 they get me and the area all prepped. Then the doctor comes in. He goes over all that will be done, advises me of things that "could" go wrong & then I have to sign that paper that I agree to the procedure  & won't sue if anything does go wrong.  He then looks at the spot on the ultrasound...inserts the needle that deadens the breast, which works instantly. Although, you can feel when the other needles & tubes go in & also the suctioning when they pull out the tissue. But there is no actual pain beside the prick of the needle.Then you can see (on the ultrasound monitor) the needle/suction tube that he inserts as he works his way to the lump. Once there, he sucks it out. then inserts the device that will put this "tag" inside. They say it is about the size of a grain of rice. Then pressure is applied & in my case for quite a while as I was already developing a hematoma.  They then apply bandages and a sterile packing to the area that the needle went in & then I was sent to have a couple of mammograms done. After that, they applied a pressure tape which I am to leave all on now for 24 hours. I am to use ice as needed for swelling and soreness and take Tylenol for pain. I am not to lift for the next several days, including grocery bags, laundry baskets, etc. So I guess me helping my hubby try to get the new gun safe into the house is not going to happen!

  So now I will just wait to hear what the results are.  Positive thoughts please.

  

  • 6:36 pm
  • 16 Comments