Annual Scans and Stereotactic Biopsy

I feel your anxiety all the comments are very helpful.I too felt the biopsy had a great nurse and kept wishing it was over.But getting over with will help face the results what ever they are.Keep us up to date deb :-)

Hi, along with breathing a nurse suggested to me that I wiggle my toes during the worst parts, it worked for me. She also held my hand, I tried not to squeeze to hard. Take care, Jane 

Hi Becmac, it is a great idea of the girls to take some pain relief before the procedure. I understand your anxiety, as I went through something similar 5 years ago. I had already had a lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy, and was getting ready to have the other boob off just to be on the safe side. I had had the mammo, and the ultrasound that followed picked up a very suspicious looking lump. The doctors opted to do a core biopsy straight away. I was so nervous, and the wait for results is awful. The biopsy itself didn't worry me, as they used local anaesthetic. I found out 3 days later that the suspicious lump was actually only a benign fibroadenoma. As I was about to have this boob off, it gave me the answer that I needed, to justify my surgery, as I knew I would always worry at scan times.
I hope your lump is nothing more than a benign bit of scar tissue.

Good luck with your waiting.

Chris 

Love the muppet song idea! :D Best of luck for Monday Becmac xx

Thanks for the advice guys, I will take something before I go in. I have read you can't take anything that thins the blood like Aspirin, but Panadol should be fine. Am going to the chemist today to pick up my Zoladex so might ask the pharmacist what the strongest thing they have over the counter is!

I agree on the breathing, that works for me when I have had other procedures done, only problem is I think you have to lie very still as you can't have your chest move when they are trying to target the sample? That might make it difficult to breath deeply?

Funny you mention the muppets Mira, as I was just thinking this morning what tune can I hum in my head that will keep me calm!!

Yeah I know the fear of the thing is often worse than the thing itself. When I got diagnosed I was a mess until my treatment became clear and then I surprised myself found a resilience I didn't know I had. I ended up walking calmly into my first chemo when I had been worried I would be dragged in kicking and screaming! Will have to dig deep and find that strength again before Monday!

Thanks for taking the time to comment. It really helps :) 

Becmac, I'm with Mira!!

Was thinking the same thing, in fact for pain relief I take 2 panadol with 2 Nurofen as it is very safe. I'd take something before you go. I also wanted to ask do you have 2 areas they are looking at? You do get local injections and agree, breathing really works with anxiety and panic. I do this with my Autistic Children all the time I work with. Its amazing how as Mira stated, take in a slow deep breath through your nose and exhale through your mouth, do this about 6 times and then just sit. You absolutely will be ok, and sometimes the fear of something is worse than the actual event. Hugs Melinda xo

Just a thought, but if you know its going to be painful can you take a couple of Panadol (or similar) before you go?  I do that when I have to go to the dentist but check with the medical centre first. 

I've never had the procedure you are talking about, but can you take slow breaths and concentrate on your breathing to help control the pain?  6 counts in, 6 counts out, repeat until done :) When I had my ultrasound & core biopsy done I sang muppet songs to myself, it kept me amused :)

The medical centre called me yesterday to say I am having two biopsies now, the stereotactic first and then the standard ultrasound and core biopsy. I don't understand why I have to have both, I thought I would only have the stereotactic one if the couldn't get what they needed from the standard core biopsy. The lady I spoke to couldn't offer me any explanation as to why they are doing it that way.

I am really starting to panic about the pain now as I remember how much the first one hurt and they told me they couldn't give me anything more than the 2 local injections so I had to just suffer through it. I asked the lady about pain relief and she said I would have to talk to the nurses on the day, but from what I can see online they only offer the local injections and maybe a valium tablet. I have trouble swallowing tablets, especially when I am feeling anxious and nauseous, and I doubt one valium will do much to take the edge off when I am in full panic mode about to have a painful procedure and the thought of possibly facing this horrible journey all over again. 

To top it all off these biopsies are going to cost me $1,965 with only $733 back from medicare!! 

Feeling so overwhelmed right now :(

Becmac!

Hello! I had a Stereotactic Biopsy last year which ended up being my recurrence in my scar tissue from 4yrs previous. It is a little different to a core biopsy. I had 4 medical team in the room and they were all so wonderful and amazing. They do give you a local anaesthetic and I remember I was actually in like a half sitting/laying chair. It's not particularly pleasant, I have to be honest, but I suggest you give them a call as I did prior to discuss any concerns you have. I do know, you will absolutely be fine though. Let us know how you go. Hugs Melinda xo