Tomosynthesis biopsy shenanigans

@"Summer Prevails" perhaps your doctor or the clinic can give you a valium or Ativan or similar to help you remain calm during the procedure?

@"Summer Prevails",

This might sound a bit odd but I always use a song for not so pleasant treatments.  Generally for the yuk ones it will be American Pie. 
 I try to remember all the words to refocus my brain.  Once you have restarted that thing (because you aren't allowed to get any wrong or you have to start from the beginning) several times and get to the end, whatever you are doing is nearly over.
I have used it for core biopsies, hookwire, brain mri you name it.  I find it really works for me just takes you "somewhere else"
Praise Don Mclean.

All the best lovely.  xoxoxoxo

@"Summer Prevails" Have you got a strategy for the trapped moments? A mantra, a focus point, a mental retreat to a happy place, or some breath meditation?

"Watching you like a hawk"... I find that to be a very reassuring phrase. K xox

Well I had some confusion today with the radiologist but I think I’m the end that was actually my fault - I blame my bad anxious memory! 
I went to the imaging place, checked in at reception and then they somehow stuffed up and Dr wasn’t told I was waiting. Off to a good start. Finally got in to see him and he says, wait didn’t I already consult with you? And I said ‘you sort of talked to me after my mammo the other day?’ And he said ‘do you remember me saying to tell the bookings staff that I said you don’t have to book in for a consult because I’ve already spoken to you?’ and then I realised...he totally did tell me that. I completely forgot. So I had booked this unnecessary appointment but in the end he was lovely and took me into the cool office where they actually view the images on amazing hi def screens.

Anyway! Long story short : he said they are watching me like a hawk, because I had so many calcs in my old left breast inside the tumour that they can’t ignore the new ones on the right given my history. So I do have to have this crazy TGVA biopsy which sounds alarming. I’m more scared of freaking out in the mammogram machine while being trapped by a needle inside my breast and having to hold perfectly still. 

A claustrophobic’s worst fear is being trapped in anything. I don’t know if my mind can handle it! It’s goung to remind me very much of the day I had the hookwire inserted via mammogram before my lumpectomy. And that was very difficult. So yeh. I’m hoping this procedure isn’t bad for my mental health and I’m hoping that the results of the biopsy itself are not bloody DCIS. 

Hello @Summer Prevails sounds like a good idea to speak with your doctor.  Hopefully he will be able to put your mind at ease regarding this procedure.  Keep us posted!

Hugs back!! We are awesome in our unawesomeness somehow though, if that makes sense. Yeah definitely going to ask for their ‘compassionate billing’ policy to be enacted, as I’m still not working, on sickness allowance and have had friends recently put food money in my account for me so I can actually eat! 

I thought this kind of biopsy would be quite common but maybe not? I watched a video of it on YouTube last night before bed. That was a brilliant idea of mine. Not. It looks hideous.

im having this consultation with the radiologist guru doc today though so hopefully he is able to explain what the heck it’s actually going to be like, and ease the anxiety. 

Xoxoxo

Can't help you with particulars I'm afraid, but I'd sure as shit be onto the surgeon tomorrow asking if he/she can help you with that fee... Sorry you had a bad one today. Not awesome here either. Big hug, K xox