Catchy title huh? I had a breast biopsy today, one of a different nature called a "core biopsy". The procedure did not go well mainly I believe from lack of knowledge regarding the testing. The only instructions I received prior to the procedure was: 1. Be there 30 minutes early. 2. No aspirin, vitamin E or Motrin 5 days prior. The end.

All went well when I got there until they told me I should of had a driver so I could of received the Valium prior to the procedure but since I don't have a driver (chauffeurs day off) I don't get the valium. Lovely. Ok.

The procedure is done on a high table, me flat on my stomach with my right breast hanging down through a hole in the table. I find out as my boob is entrapped in the hole under compression that this is a new machine, a new (sort of) procedure and there will be other physicians and medical personnel observing since this is all new to them. No one asked or cared if I cared to be watched. I wouldn't of cared, but I would of liked to have had that option. There were so many people in the room that at one point the MD doing the procedure asked if some would leave she didn't have room to move.

As the breast is compressed, mammograms are redone and instantly displayed on a computer screen. The computer guides the needle to the exact area of the breast after the calculations are confirmed. The MD loaded my breast up with lidocaine which burned but very tolerable. After another 10 minutes of calculations, explanations etc., the needle - machine guided, is inserted, more mammograms. Then the area is vacuumed out. This hurt like hell. I cried. I'm not a crier. I have a very high threshold for pain. They stopped the suctioning, inserted more lidocaine, waited a couple of minutes and proceeded.

The procedure was never pain free and I never stopped crying. I've had a needle breast biopsy done 2 years ago and I never felt a thing. No problem. This was completely different. I was flat on my stomach in this position for about 75 minutes including the 15 minutes of compression and ice being applied to control the bleeding and only steri-strips were applied to the wound. After that I was allowed to sit up for a couple of minutes before I was taken down the hall for more mammograms. Apparently a metal clip was inserted in my breast to mark the exact location of the biopsy in case they need to repeat the procedure to remove more tissue.

I don't think so.

I had to wait 30 minutes more before I could leave the hospital and I was given orange juice and Tylenol ES due to the fact I was shaking and having a little bit of trouble holding the glass. The doctor interviewed me of what I thought of the procedure since this was the first time it had been used and she wanted my opinion on if they should continue using it or using the machine they normally use. Now that's a no brainer.

My after care instructions: Don't use my right arm for 48 hours. Umm...I need to drive home, an hour away from the hospital. Wear a sports bra for several days. Ok, I don't own one and this is a poor time to go shop. No shower for 24 hours and remove the steri-strips on Friday. I have yet to figure out how to shower tomorrow without getting my boobs wet. Sounds like a future blog entry, no?

Now I think I'm going to go to bed. It's been a rough day and all of it seems very surreal.