Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Stereotactic Biopsy and another Pink Wrap shirt!

My Stereotactic Biopsy is done only two days after my diagnostic mammogram, so less waiting there.  The biopsy is a lot like a Core Needle Biopsy but more high-tech.  There is a long table in the room with a hole in the middle of it.  Underneath the table is a mammogram machine.  The idea is for the mammogram images to assist the Radiologist in finding the area of concern within the breast.  My husband took off work to be with me and I was so glad.  Again I noticed that I was the youngest one in the lobby and felt like a spotlight was over my head.  I was escorted to the little locker where another pink wrap shirt was given to me along with a plastic bag for my belongings.  I put on the shirt, gathered up my stuff and walked into the interior lobby area.  I had requested that my husband be able to be with me but as I looked around at the other women in their pink wrap shirts ( some not so wrapped) I quickly realized that might not be a possibility.  When my name was called it was the same technician who had done my mammogram and she escorted me to the room.  Once in the room I said, "Can my husband come in here with me?"  She looked shocked at the request and replied by saying, "No, we don't do that. There's no reason for him to come in here!  We don't know anything yet!"  I told her in my calmest voice, "The reason would be for moral support." She said that was not possible, it could distract the Dr.  I understood.  I told her that I did want my husband to be able to view my mammogram/ultrasound images.  She said she would ask about that.  As soon as I was in position(breast in hole, breast in vice, facing right(looking at a blank wall), remembering to breathe, the Radiologist came in.  He told the tech he needed a 14, 16, 22(or some number combo) which I later learned were probably depths being programmed into the machine/gun.  He told me I would feel a sting and hear a loud noise but there would be no more pain after that.  He LIED!!!!!  I felt the sting and the pressure and sharp shooting pain towards my nipple.  It was pretty bad but it would get much worse.  They took 3 samples(I think) and then they placed a titanium chip in my breast so the area could be found easily on a mammogram(if I needed additional surgery).  He told me that they were able to get some solid microcalcifications for testing and I would probably know the results by Mon.(it was Thurs.)  I had to lay there for awhile letting the tech ice me and apply the steri-strips.  We still had to take more images to make sure the chip was in the right place.  That mammogram hurt!  After the tech was satisfied with the images I got to get dressed.   We paid a $20.00 copay for a $3850.00 procedure and left with a circular ice pack in my bra and instructions to get Tylenol if needed.  Within 30 minutes the pain went from a 4 to an 8 and I was crying in the car.  Sharp shooting pain going towards the direction of my nipple that seemed to never stop!  My husband got some quick release OTC pain medication and within about 15 minutes the pain was a 6 or 7.  For the next 3 days the pain was constant but at varying intensities. I would be black and blue and green for 2-3 weeks with intermittent pain, some really bad, some just achy.

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