Monday
Mar012010
Suddenly I feel squeamish
Monday, March 1, 2010 at 05:37PM
I was feeling pretty good about this biopsy thing the last few days, but then I made the mistake just now of googling it. Now I'm scared. First of all, I knew my boob would be numbed, but somehow it escaped my thinking that it would have to happen with a local anesthetic. As in a shot. I felt okay about the needle in my boob when I thought it would be numb first, but duh, it takes a needle to make it numb! I've gotten pretty ok with shots in the last few years, but a prick in my breast sounds a lot more not fun than one in my arm.
And then I read that there are several different ways that they can get tissue samples, and some of them definitely sound worse than others. I know it's an ultrasound-guided biopsy, but even within that, there are variations. The technician at my last appointment suggested that it was a quick poke, which makes me think maybe they'll be using the "spring-loaded" method. But she also mentioned that she's had it done twice before, so maybe that's just the method she had. Mine could be different. Like dear god, the vacuum-assisted device makes me want to puke.
I'm going to ask before anything happens tomorrow, but then it's like ZERO time to prepare. What if they say vacuum? I'll probably be barfing while they start the procedure. And everything I read says, "The whole procedure should take about an hour" which what the hell? Numb the boob, take the tissue, get me the hell out of there! Ugh, I really should have found someone to come with me and hold my hand.
And then I read that there are several different ways that they can get tissue samples, and some of them definitely sound worse than others. I know it's an ultrasound-guided biopsy, but even within that, there are variations. The technician at my last appointment suggested that it was a quick poke, which makes me think maybe they'll be using the "spring-loaded" method. But she also mentioned that she's had it done twice before, so maybe that's just the method she had. Mine could be different. Like dear god, the vacuum-assisted device makes me want to puke.
I'm going to ask before anything happens tomorrow, but then it's like ZERO time to prepare. What if they say vacuum? I'll probably be barfing while they start the procedure. And everything I read says, "The whole procedure should take about an hour" which what the hell? Numb the boob, take the tissue, get me the hell out of there! Ugh, I really should have found someone to come with me and hold my hand.
in My anatomy
My anatomy
Reader Comments (9)
Hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow!
What are you talking about? Biopsies are collected by the Boob Biopsy Fairy. She waves her nipple-wand, and in a sprinkle of fairy dust the biopsy wiggles its way out of your boob and perches adorably on your chest, like the warm fuzzy in the flower commercial.
And at the end, you get a lollipop.
Merde!
I think you are scaring yourself. First of all, it hurts more to get poked in muscle than fat, so I think it will hurt, but I imagine it hurts more in your arm. If they were to use the vacuum, I have a feeling that it won't sound like a vacuum, and will be really small. It will be a needle with a tube in it that sucks. It sounds worse than it is, I'm sure. My guess is that you will have the core needle, but if it is the vacuum one that I think there will be more pain afterwards, but the same during. Now I have had enough procedures to know that they are not pleasant. They will be uncomfortable. But they are tolerable. Some of them have been very painful, I won't lie, but it's never as bad as you imagine it.
Deep breaths. You'll be ok. That hour is probably most prep-work. You'll have to talk to nurses and get your blood pressure checked, all that fun stuff. It'll be done soon, and you'll be resting and recovering. I'm thinking about you. Hugs.
I hope everything goes well today. You'll definitely have to tell us all about it.
Everything will be fine. You are a STRONG woman. We're all keeping you in our thoughts.
I think I wouldn't mind a needle in my boob at all for some reason. If any place at all, I think it would be in my top 3. After all, it's nice and padded and soft. Not like sticking a needle into someplace like the inner elbow or gums, or ankle or something.
When I got my wisdom teeth out, the only thing that kept me in that waiting room was knowing it was only an hour out of my whole life. Another hour and it would be done. I tend to hold that philosophy dearly when it comes to do things I dread.
And your comment about time for a reaction reminded me of giving birth. Just think- I was 7.5 dilated when arriving the hospital. I thought- great! I'll have this kid in no time. But then, whoops- she's not head down like we were told continually the past 3 months. Ooops- we broke you're water! You'll have this baby out in 45 minutes and p.s. you're having a c-section! We're slicing you open and clamping your muscle and skin apart to yank this child out of you. Surprise! Oh and before we do, we're sticking a giant needle right in your spine first. Somehow, we get through it.
Can't wait to hear about it! You'll do great.
P.S. I wish I could come hold your hand with you!!
First, I went on my own, and I survived. You can do this. Perhaps it's best not to know what kind you're getting, but I had the vacuumy one and really truly it was only *uncomfortable*. Tolerable. And if you weep quietly, you're still doing better than those women they wouldn't tell me about! Good luck.