Stereotactic Biopsy

I had my stereotactic Core Biopsy today. I was a bit nervous and on edge (grouchy) until I got there, and then I calmed down. Somehow my orders fell through the cracks and there was no order there for the biopsy. When I dropped my films off at the Women's Center, they said they would get the order from my doctor. I think that someone dropped the ball because they were expecting me to walk through the door with it. The situation was resolved easy enough, one phone call to my doctor and they faxed it over. Not a big deal.

Here is how the biopsy went:

After changing into a front-opening gown, I was taken into a room that had a mammogram machine along with a couple of other machines and a cushioned table. The procedure was explained to me by the nurse, as well as the restrictions after. The doctor performing the procedure was called in. He also explained everything that I had just heard. He left the room, and the nurse got me set up.

I laid down on my stomach on the cushioned table. My right breast was placed in a hole on the table. The table was raised and then the machines used for the procedure were moved into place underneath me. My nurse took several images using a mini mammo type machine that then displayed onto a computer screen. The computer gave a location, the doctor was called back in and the computer told them where to make the incision.

Lidocane was used to numb the area, the incision was made and then the core biopsy needle was inserted. Another image was taken to make sure they were in the right spot. Another dose of lidocane was placed deep in the tissue where the incision was made. Then the tissue samples were taken. Four of them that were about 2 inches long and about the thickness of an earth worm. I saw them on the tray. They were ugly. LOL

The needle was left in place, the tissue samples were xrayed to make sure the calcifications were there - another indication that they were biopsying the correct location. I got to see that too.

All of the microcalcifications were removed. The doctor then inserted a titanium clip to mark the biopsy spot and he left. More images were taken for documentation. I was then allowed to move. I sat up for a bit, then laid on my back. The nurse squeezed my breast a lot, I guess to make sure there were no big blood clots in there. Then she cleaned up the area and closed it with steri-strips.

Then another mammogram was done on that breast - for more documentation.

After the films were checked, my tissue samples were put into a cup to be picked up for pathology. And I was allowed to leave. Everything took about an hour and a half to two hours.

I have to ice the incision area for 30 minutes, wait an hour, and ice again... until I go to bed tonight. I'm wearing a sports bra and have to sleep in it. I am to do nothing but veg today and take it easy for today and tomorrow. But I will probably go to work tomorrow.

I get to start taking my anti-inflammatory again tonight - which I had to stop for 3 days because it could cause excessive bleeding. And I've been in pretty nasty pain for 3 days. I am looking forward to having that go away.

I should have the biopsy results in 3-5 business days. I've been told that if I haven't heard anything by next Wednesday, that I need to call my doctor.

So, that's the scoop. I will update with results when I get them.