The whole procedure took about 90 minutes. A medical clerk took down my medical history. An attendant / nurse (she did the ultrasound on Monday) explained in detail what the doctor / radiologist would be doing during the test. Rex was with me for these two parts and together we asked as many questions as occurred to us. Each and all were answered fully. Then the doctor came in and additionally explained the procedure. At some point during the procedure, she looked at me directly and said, “I’ve been where you are now.” Somehow, that was very comforting to know.
The biopsy would be performed via the use of a long needle that slides into the breast at a predetermined angle and extracts sample tissues for later examination. That’s the short of the long and the short of it. The needle cannot go into the breast directly over where the lump is because of the resistance that would occur as put up by muscle, fatty tissue, etc. Therefore, it slides in at an angle.
To determine the angle and therefore the point of entry, Dr. C….first did a mini-ultrasound to become familiar with where my particular muscles and fatty tissues were. Once she decided the point of entry, a small cut was made that is no more than a quarter-inch wide. From this spot, she could go in four times at slightly different angles and pick up tissue by use of tiny pinches attached to the end.
The needle itself I did not see because I was watching the proceedings on the ultrasound screen. I saw it maneuver the ins and outs of fatty tissue, etc. When it reached the perimeter wall of the lump, the dr. pushed a button that sounded – as best as I can describe it – like an air gun. I felt a thump inside and that’s when the tissue was being extracted. (They assured me it was the tiniest of particles.) The tissue was withdrawn and released into a vial that was sealed for later delivery to the lab. The doctor did this four times.
Rex, my hsuabd, had had a similar biopsy for his prostate a couple of years ago. He described the extraction action as a “ka-boom!” The medical personnel assured me it was more like a milder, “cha-ching.” Each time the doctor extracted tissue, she asked me how I was doing. The first two times, the extraction was like ‘cha-ching.’ No big deal. The third time, it was a ‘ka-boom!’ and it did hurt. The doctor said, ‘It’s no wonder because the tip of the needle had gone through and was now touching a muscle.’ So, she had to go after another tissue sample. That one, too, was a ‘ka-boom!’
Once the tissue samples were taken, the doctor went in with a tiny, tiny piece of titanium to mark the spot. The reason was that in future examination(s), the medical personnel would already be alerted. This part of the procedure is becoming common, mainstream. I asked jokingly if I’d be setting off any airport security alarms. She laughed and said no because the piece left was so tiny. That is good because I surely would not like to give any explanations! The awesome thing about this is that the marker is in the shape of the breast cancer research symbol.
All in all, the total procedure was no more painful that having a tooth ground down for a crown. That is, it was less painful than a root canal. Aftercare included cold packs on the point of entry, Tylenol if needed (other types of aspirin might make you bleed more), no bathing for 24 hrs, and no exercise. (No lifting even a jug of milk, etc.) Sleep with bra on – for extra firm protection of the entry spot, etc. Bruising may occur.
I have not experienced any pain except minor discomfort directly over the entry cut. I didn’t need to take any Tylenol. Rex and I went out to dinner, went grocery shopping and arrived home about 10 PM.
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