Friday
Mar052010
Hopefully I'm almost done talking about my boob
Friday, March 5, 2010 at 11:30AM
I haven't heard from my doctor yet with results from the biopsy, and since it said 2-3 days, I called a little bit ago. But I had to leave a message, and I have no idea when they'll call back. For the last few days, I've been more worried about how my boob hurt than by what they may have found. It didn't even really occur to me that I should be wondering about the results until the Giraffe mentioned it last night.
I wasn't worried at all until the phone started ringing, then suddenly I got super nervous. After I left the message, I couldn't relax, so I walked around the building for a few minutes. I feel better now, my boob hurts again. So, anybody without a distinct interest in a post-biopsy progress report can stop reading here, I won't be offended.
Now for those of you who may go through this yourself someday and wonder what the few days after a needle biopsy are like, here ya go. The first day was tiring and my breast was very sore. That evening I noticed a little bruising peaking out beneath the bandage, and my breast was really tender to the touch. I also couldn't reach with my left arm well, and I couldn't bend over because the skin of my boob stretched and shifted painfully. I took Tylenol all day to ease the discomfort. Sleeping was difficult---I couldn't lay on my left side or my stomach at all, and when I was on my right side, the skin stretched again. So basically I had to sleep on my back or at a slight lean to the right. I discovered that my strapless bra is my most supportive bra, and I wore it for two days straight, including to bed.
The next morning I felt pretty good. I think lying still for so long was really helpful, but as the day went on and the more I moved around, the more pain I felt. The tenderness and a sort of sharper, deeper pain, too. I kept taking Tylenol and was really careful with my movements. The Giraffe had to help me with certain simple things, like tying my shoes, because I kept wanting to have one hand gently protecting my boob when I moved. I thought I'd feel better by Day 2, but I really didn't. And sleeping that night was no better.
On Day 3, I was finally able to take Tylenol every 4-5 hours instead of every 2-3 (I'm a wimp!). The soreness wasn't as severe, but it still worsened throughout the day. I took the bandage off (not the steri-strips), and there is definitely some bruising, but not as bad as I imagined. But it was extremely tender! I took a shower for the first time, and there was no way I could let my boob just hang there unsupported while my arms flew around washing and shaving things. I ended up wearing a bathing suit top in the shower, and I put a bra on right away when I got out. Sleeping was STILL a problem last night, though I did manage to lay on my left side for a very short time.
Today, Day 4, I'm surprised at how much it still hurts. It's a very subtle pain now, but it feels so vulnerable, like any sudden movement could hurt like hell. When I walked around the building a bit ago, by the end I was supporting my left breast with my right hand. That small bit of jiggling from the walk was very uncomfortable. I'm already behind on my Couch to 5K program, and I honestly don't know when I'll feel comfortable with the boob jostling that happens during a jog. Even with my fancy new sports bra.
Another weird thing is that I know I have a piece of metal in there. The technician showed me an example so I'd know how small it was and even said, "Some people swear they can feel it in there, so I wanted you to see just how tiny it is. You won't feel it." But sometimes I feel sharp pains inside my breast, and I'm sure it's just because hello, there was a needle deep in there a few days ago. But I can't help but imagine that it's that little metal clip poking at me!
(Ok, they still haven't called back! I need to know!)
I wasn't worried at all until the phone started ringing, then suddenly I got super nervous. After I left the message, I couldn't relax, so I walked around the building for a few minutes. I feel better now, my boob hurts again. So, anybody without a distinct interest in a post-biopsy progress report can stop reading here, I won't be offended.
Now for those of you who may go through this yourself someday and wonder what the few days after a needle biopsy are like, here ya go. The first day was tiring and my breast was very sore. That evening I noticed a little bruising peaking out beneath the bandage, and my breast was really tender to the touch. I also couldn't reach with my left arm well, and I couldn't bend over because the skin of my boob stretched and shifted painfully. I took Tylenol all day to ease the discomfort. Sleeping was difficult---I couldn't lay on my left side or my stomach at all, and when I was on my right side, the skin stretched again. So basically I had to sleep on my back or at a slight lean to the right. I discovered that my strapless bra is my most supportive bra, and I wore it for two days straight, including to bed.
The next morning I felt pretty good. I think lying still for so long was really helpful, but as the day went on and the more I moved around, the more pain I felt. The tenderness and a sort of sharper, deeper pain, too. I kept taking Tylenol and was really careful with my movements. The Giraffe had to help me with certain simple things, like tying my shoes, because I kept wanting to have one hand gently protecting my boob when I moved. I thought I'd feel better by Day 2, but I really didn't. And sleeping that night was no better.
On Day 3, I was finally able to take Tylenol every 4-5 hours instead of every 2-3 (I'm a wimp!). The soreness wasn't as severe, but it still worsened throughout the day. I took the bandage off (not the steri-strips), and there is definitely some bruising, but not as bad as I imagined. But it was extremely tender! I took a shower for the first time, and there was no way I could let my boob just hang there unsupported while my arms flew around washing and shaving things. I ended up wearing a bathing suit top in the shower, and I put a bra on right away when I got out. Sleeping was STILL a problem last night, though I did manage to lay on my left side for a very short time.
Today, Day 4, I'm surprised at how much it still hurts. It's a very subtle pain now, but it feels so vulnerable, like any sudden movement could hurt like hell. When I walked around the building a bit ago, by the end I was supporting my left breast with my right hand. That small bit of jiggling from the walk was very uncomfortable. I'm already behind on my Couch to 5K program, and I honestly don't know when I'll feel comfortable with the boob jostling that happens during a jog. Even with my fancy new sports bra.
Another weird thing is that I know I have a piece of metal in there. The technician showed me an example so I'd know how small it was and even said, "Some people swear they can feel it in there, so I wanted you to see just how tiny it is. You won't feel it." But sometimes I feel sharp pains inside my breast, and I'm sure it's just because hello, there was a needle deep in there a few days ago. But I can't help but imagine that it's that little metal clip poking at me!
(Ok, they still haven't called back! I need to know!)
in Giraffe, My anatomy
Giraffe, My anatomy
Reader Comments (6)
In my experience, the longer it takes them to call you back, the less dramatic the results are. If it's really bad, the doctor will call you themselves, and usually after 5, very shortly after, and ask you to do certain steps as well as see them again. If it's good news, the nurse calls, and sometimes even leaves messages.
You really should try taking Motrin, it helps with inflammation and healing. Take it every 6 -8 hours regardless of pain level, and you take as many as 4 200 mg pills. Then exactly in between your motrin, you can take some more tylenol if needed. But seriously, Motrin is much better for healing pains! Even if it doesn't give you relief, it is helping it heal!
Anyway, that's my two cents, hope it was worth as such. I'm sorry you are still in pain. :(
I'm sorry you're in pain! :( Hope you feel better soon!
I agree with the Motrin comment. I always pop some the day before going to the chiropractor to reduce the inflammation in my back muscles. Otherwise I won't adjust because the are so swollen and inflamed.
I hope it heals soon and the doctor gets back to you! I'd call again Monday if you haven't heard anything by then. Too many test results fall through the cracks to not be persistent with your doctor.
For peet's sake, look what they did to you! I'd expect to be sore for at least a week or 2. Some women walk out of c-sections and feel great 2 days later. I was in bed for a week and couldn't move. (Sorry that's really the only thing I have to compare to). And wait- the metal is STILL inside you? I'm confused. I'm waiting for your results too, and keeping my fingers crossed! Hope you feel better soon.
Erica - I know, I'm so naive about this stuff. I thought I'd be able to go for a run the same day as the biopsy. It's four days later and I still can't! I just had no idea, and also I'm kind of a wimp. :)
[...] Giraffe was upset that they didn’t call immediately last week, but I chose to believe what Angiela said—if it was bad news, they’d make a point to call right away. No call means better [...]