Tuesday, December 16, 2008

stereotactic breast biopsy

The U.S. Institute of Medicine found that only about 60 percent of the women old enough to need regular mammograms get them.

Stereotactic breast biopsy takes calcifications and breast breast tissue to be studied under a microscope. This procedure uses x-rays to find the tissue to be removed. It may prevent the need for an open (surgical) biopsy.

The breast is pressed between two flat plates and a low-dose x-ray is taken. The x-ray helps find the exact tissue to be sampled. A needle is then guided to the biopsy area and removes several tiny samples of breast tissue. After the needle is removed, a small bandage is placed on the skin.

For my biopsy, they actually gave up because my calcifications would move everytime they tried to grab 'em. They would target the area and then not get what they were going after. They did get tissue and will see what the pathogist reports but I'll likely have to have a surgical biopsy. I may hear something from Dr. Placentra, my regular Doc, by Friday.
Wake Forest University Baptist is almost two hours one way, I've been down there 3 times now since Dec 2nd and sounds like I'll have to go back again.
COMPLAINT - They did inject some numbing stuff but it wasn't nearly enough, and I had to keep hollering for more. Why didn't they hit me up big time and then go at it? They couldn't get what they were going after and kept jabbing and jabbing, which I didn't want to interupt them but dang, knock out the feeling in that breast first! They were working high, near the armpit so maybe that had something to do with it. That jabbinging went on for over an hour. The doctor told me that this biopsy was very unusual (I'm thinking, of course, I'd be in the unusual category).
My outlook has been very good until enduring all that discomfort and it sounded like it was a waste of time. Unlike the photo above, they had me facing the wall, I could hear voices but could not see anything. They were very polite but they were frustrated too. I think two Drs, a resident, and radiologist assistant were in the room.
I'm feeling fine now at home but just a long day. Mike drove me down today, we stopped at a cafeteria near the hospital and got home at 7:00PM.
2008 sure has been a medical adventure for me, my ins company wishes I'd fall off a cliff.

16 comments:

Deb said...

What a miserable experience Joanna - you would think they could have made you much more comfortable.
Glad you are home and feeling better. Take good care of yourself.

Twisted Fencepost said...

I am sorry that was such a terrible experience. I hope you never have to go through that again. And I hope the tissue sample comes back with a good report!!

Teesa said...

I wondered about you two today when I saw only one truck was home. Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience - you'd think they'd want to make it a little more pleasant to encourage more women to get mammograms.

If you need anything at all - I'm your woman. Just let me know. You've been on my mind all day and now I know why - I've prayed for you a couple times today already. I will continue to.

sugarcreekstuff said...

You poor thing. If a dentist can make a visit pain free, you'd think medical doctors could do the same.

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

Thank you, I didn't want to imply that it was a terrible experience, the staff was trying to be very polite, I just meant to say it was much more involved that I was expecting. The doctors said that for most people it isn't that involved. I'm blogging about it, mammograms, because I think it is so important to go and do what is suggested afterwards.

Claire MW said...

Oh dear - I thought about you numerous times today and wondered how it went. Sorry to hear it was not as smooth as expected. Will be keeping you in my thoughts.

Jennifer said...

I hate to hear you experienced so much discomfort and may have to go back. What a trooper you are to endure that long of them digging around, I don't think I would have been able too! I was hoping this would be easier for you. I hope the results are good and maybe they won't have to do more than that. I will keep you in my thoughts.

Jennifer

Amy said...

I hate it when procedures get complicated like that. I feel your frustration. You were a lot more patient than I would have been! Let's hope they get it next time and you won't have to suffer so much.

Christy said...

I'm sorry it was so uncomfortable! Seems a shame they didn't numb you more. I hope the results are all good.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry you were in pain and discomfort. I sincerely hope you get good news after this.

The Three Little Bears said...

Thank you so much for sharing this! This is something we all need to know.

But I am sorry it was miserable for you. Hopefully technology will bring better methods soon.

Gone2theDawgs said...

I don't know why they tend to be so skimpy with the numbing stuff, it is really irritating!

I hope that tissue sample ends up being enough and it's nothing but good news. Take care.

JK said...

Ouch, sorry it didn't go smoothly for you.
Those things (mammograms) are not comfortable to start with.

Kate Evans said...

Sounds like you should have just drunk a bottle of wine first! Ugh, these things are medeival. Our breasts should be cradled in feathers for such procedures. Thinking of you...keep us updated.

xoxox

Claire MW said...

Hey Joanna, I keep thinking about this post that you made, and wondering if you'd heard anything yet...I keep sending you good vibes.

Anonymous said...

My name is Ivan and I have just had the worst years of my life, but now I hope I’m looking at a much
brighter future. This is my story of how my life changed for the worst and how I had to overcome the ignorance of
certain sections of the medical profession. I had to board a plane not once but twice while semi paralysed and fly to
Germany to have the relevant tests done that would prove to all once and for all that I had Lyme/Borreliosis, because
In my own country doctors refused to accept the word of one of their colleagues. The medical profession refused to
consider that I could be suffering from Lyme Disease/Borreliosis even though one of their own had dared to suggest it.
I was watching TV in bed till about 10:30am when I noticed what seemed like the vertical hold slipping and the picture
on the TV going funny for a second. I thought nothing of it at the time and got out of bed and went to make a cup of
tea. Whilst the kettle was on I ran a bath, I was going to clean myself up and go to work to see everyone, because it
was a loss for all the people at work as well as our family. While in the bathroom I felt the floor move just for a
second. I went downstairs thinking that it was odd but nothing more. I made my cup of tea and went up the stairs to
have a good soak in the bath. While drinking my tea and walking up the stairs it happened again, the floor seemed to
move making me take a seat on the stairs, again it soon passed. And I carried on toward the bathroom when my
phone rang in the bedroom - it was work. This was when I noticed that I was slurring on the phone. I hung up and
went to the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror. I looked ok and was feeling ok.
Whatever it was I still didn’t feel it was anything too serious. I got into the bath and then it all started I couldn’t stand.
I felt like gravity was getting it’s own back for all the years I had taken it for granted. I was now fighting to keep my
head above the water while I tried to take the plug out with my left foot as the right one had lost all coordination.
I managed to slide out of the bath, how long it took is all a blur now that I look back. Now I was convinced I was
dying. My children were at school and my wife had gone to see friends, I was alone and scared, my face was numb
down the one side, what was happening to me? Then after what seemed a lifetime but I’m sure was only a few
minutes it started to fade, I managed to drag myself to the bedroom naked and soaked.
Then I got introduce to Dr Itua Herbal Medicine by a friend of mine at work when he sees how I was battling with the disease, He gave me Dr Itua contact so I contacted him on whatsapp then I explain to him on how I was diagnosis of lyme disease so he assure me that he will cure me with his herbal medicine which I will drink for three weeks to cure so I make a purchase with the herbal medicine through moneygram money transfer so faithful of him he deliver me the herbal medicine so he instructed me on how to drink it which I did and hopefully like he promised me the herbal medicine cured me and today I'm now a free person and I thank my dear friend who introduce Dr Itua to my life.
You can contact Dr Itua On Email or whatsapp .... . drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com / Whatsapp ... +2348149277967 if you are suffering from the below disease written because he promised me that he can cure the following diseases......Herpes,Prostate Breast Cancer,Brain Cancer,CEREBRAL VASCULAR ACCIDENT,Endometrial Cancer, cerebrovascular diseases,Hepatitis,Glaucoma,Cataracts,Macular degeneration,Cardiovascular disease,Lung disease.Enlarged prostate,Osteoporosis.Alzheimer's disease,
Dementia.Tach Disease,HIV,Arthritis,Amyotrophic Fibromyalgia,Cervical Cancer,Colon Cancer,Blood Cancer,
SYPHILIS,Diabetes,Liver / Inflammatory kidney,Epilepsy,Shingles,H.P.V TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 AND TYPE 4. TYPE 5.
Lung Cancer, Leukemia Lymphoma Cancer,Lung Mesothelioma Asbestos,Ovarian Cervical Uterine Cancer,Skin Cancer,Brain Tumor.