Hi beautifuls,just putting this here to get a confusing day out of my brain more than anything...but also:Has anyone had a tomosynthesis-guided vacuum assisted biopsy? I am willing to bet my only $2 that you probably have. I saw my surgeon today and it was confusing. The powers that be want me to have a TGVA biopsy so I got my referral and called imaging people to make appt. They said I have to have a consultation appt with the breast specialist doctor/radiologist first, separately to the actual biopsy. Is this normal? What happens at the consult??and why do I have to end up paying $390 for the biopsy when I have a health care card and my surgeon requested that Imaging bulk bill me? Blah. Bad day. Was having a good day before I plunged into biopsy anxiety land. Oh and im assuming the TGVA thing is bloody painful and stressful?? How bad is it? Don’t sugar coat it lol xoxoxo

@"Summer Prevails" It sounds like you're having a rough time. I endorse what the other ladies have said.Don't beat yourself up about forgetting what doctors have said, and getting confused. We all do it. I've always been mildly claustrophobic: I completely freaked out once when a beautician wrapped a cloth over my whole face - nose and mouth. But through all the scans etc I've had since my diagnosis, I've learned to calm myself by closing my eyes, breathing steadily and singing a favourite melody in my head. It's odd, but all these experiences seem to have "cured" my claustrophobia.I wish you calm, and to be surrounded by understanding people. xx

Okay I have been officially biopsied!just got back from the procedure, it was exactly what I thought it would be - anxious, squeezing nurses hand, mildly painful, uncomfortable. Took a couple Valium before it and BOY was that a good idea..had the giggles and sailed right thru it lolthe mammo tech said I was and I quote ‘The perfect patient’ lolso now I waitwith ice pack and panadol at the ready. Xoxo

Hi @Summer Prevails. It's a worrying time for you. I had a vacuum assisted biopsy in April. Mine was using a normal mammogram - I think Tomosynthesis is 3d - but mammogram all the same. The breast is 'held' while they do the procedure. I had mine done at the Wesley Breast Clinic in Brisbane. Could you wear headphones and listen to music or your choice of distraction? I find in a stressful situation my mind sometimes can't override the external sounds and situation so that saying or singing in my mind isn't reliable to get me through. You are given anaesthetic and it isn't painful as such but your boob is in the mammogram clamp. I had a wonderful breast care nurse who held my hand the whole way through it. I didn't ask for support - she is just part of the process. Maybe ask if you could have someone with you during the process to hold your hand or reassure you or a breast care nurse if you were comfortable with that. As with all the procedures I've had I tried to 'remove' myself mentally as others have described. It's not pleasant, but the people that did the procedure were incredibly sensitive and aware of my worry and apprehension. Their constant reassuring and compassion really helped. I had time afterwards to sit with an icepack in a comfy recliner with the breast care nurse talking with me and checking on me. But if you can, a friend/someone close to accompany might be best. I agree with @Vangirl that a mild sedative might be helpful and to ask if you can do that. When do you have your procedure? Please keep us posted how you go. Thinking of you. Xx

So glad that part is over for you @Summer Prevails. :)xx

Hi ladies, I have emerged somewhat victorious from several weeks of bodily invasions. Biopsy was benign ! My surgeon told me the microcalcs were a thing with a long fancy name I can’t remember now, but not cancerous. So. That’s a Phew. Then a week after that, I had day surgery, general anaesthetic the whole deal, dilation and curettage of the endometrium to remove a suspect polyp. Was terrified of the surgery flashbacks to lumpectomy but it turned out to be a fine experience. I actually felt no anxiety thanks to whatever amazing drugs they gave me while I was under! :D I had a faux ‘period’ and bled for a week. Was high as a kite. Now I’ve recovered from all that and am left with a weird feeling of Phew but also What Next. Have to call the gyno doc and adk if the polyp pathology was all good.

Tomosynthesis biopsy shenanigans | BCNA Online Network

27 Replies

Vangirl
Member
7 years ago
@"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?
kezmusc
Member
7 years ago
@"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
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@"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
Summer_Prevails
Member
7 years ago
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.
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
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!
Summer_Prevails
Member
7 years ago
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
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
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

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