I can’t believe it’s been almost three weeks since I last wrote about my breast needle biopsy. I wanted to chronicle my experience even though it may not be typical. You basically lay down stomach first on a table with a small hole cut out for (you guessed it) your breast to poke through. That is where the procedure takes place. They raise the table so the doctor can sit underneath it to perform the needle biopsy.
Now, the procedure itself doesn’t hurt – they use a local anesthetic. But I must say that laying on the table where you have to be perfectly still is uncomfortable. In my case, the area in question was up higher on my breast so they had me to move around quite a bit before they found the right angle. Oh, and they also squish your breast like in a mammogram only not quite as tight.
By then your breast is numb so you don’t even feel the needle for the anesthetic. The majority of the time is spent preparing for the needle biopsy – the actually procedure didn’t take any time at all. They inserted the needle and also a piece of metal they use to mark the spot in case further exploration is necessary. Then you have to be still so they can take x-rays to make sure they got the right place. The total time is about an hour.
The doctor then taped the area where the needle went in and asked me to keep my bra on even to sleep for that night. It was sore for a few days but I didn’t even need to take a pain reliever.
Then you wait. For me it was all weekend and then on Tuesday they called to tell me the good news – no cancer. I had to go back in so the doctor could examine the biopsy site. There was quite a lot of bruseing but apparently that’s normal.
The doctor told me I will need to come back in six months for another mammogram just to be safe. It was quite an experience. Did it happen because I haven’t had a mammogram in nine years? I don’t know. But I will be more regular from now on. Just to be safe.
I have a confession to make. I haven’t had a mammogram in nine years. I wonder if there’s a twelve-step program for that? Let’s face it, mammograms are pretty uncomfortable and slightly embarrassing since the girls are hanging out there for all to see (okay, maybe just the technician, but you get my point).
During my last physical my doctor reminded me of the importance of periodic mammograms for a woman my age. So off I went. It was uncomfortable, not as bad as I remembered or embarrassing.
Then I got the call…found something, need further tests. So I went in for another mammogram – this time more detailed, focusing on the breast in question. Long story short, they found some calcification that looks questionable. The fact that I hadn’t had a mammogram in nine years didn’t help because they weren’t sure how long those spots had been there.
My doctor sent me to a breast specialist to get a second opinion. I went to see her today and after looking at my x-rays, concurred that I get a breast needle biopsy (stereotactic biopsy). This is where they go into the breast with a small needle and extract the questionable substance and test for the dreaded “C” word. The proceedure is done in the doctor’s office with a local anesthetic and then you’re good to go.
Strangely enough, I feel very calm about this. My body is telling me that it’s okay. I know that sounds a little “woo-woo” but, I’m am pretty in-touch with my body and can usually tell when something’s not right. So I wait until next Thursday for that appointment and hope for the best.
Tags: breast needle biopsy, Mammogram, needle biopsy, stereotactic biopsy