Biopsy (with an Angel) & Afterward

I was scheduled for the biopsy at 1:30 in the afternoon at the local breast health clinic. It really was a beautiful facility, very modern with relaxing music playing in the background. My husband came along with me to my appointment. I was SO NERVOUS!

We were told the procedure would take approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The actual biopsy takes only about 10 to 15 minutes, but most of the time was used to position the breast in the mammogram type machine. How were they able to do all this? Well, clinic had a new state-of-the-art machine which allowed you to lay on a table on your stomach, and place your breast through a hole. You got to be kidding me. Nope, it's true. Then they use a specially made mammogram machine which compresses the breast. The Techs make sure everything is in position (your breast), and they're able to see the area of concern clearly and precisely before they call in the Radiologist.

When I entered the Biopsy room, the lights were low, and I could hear soft, relaxing zen-like music playing. It probably helped, but my heart was still through the roof! Really. It actually was VERY high. Thank goodness I had two very sweet and comforting Nurses to helped me through each step, helping me lay on the table, getting me comfortable, and even covering the rest of my body with a warm blanket. Once I was situated, and everything was good-to-go, they raised the table to make room for the Radiologist to work. Talk about being in an awkward position!!! I remember laying there looking at a beautiful painting, and the table rose, and all I could see was a blank wall. I was thinking, "that's stupid, why didn't they hang the picture higher?"

Anyway, tears started streaming down my face. I was trying to keep it together. One of the nurses, her name was Colleen, came over and held my hand. She tried to keep my mind occupied with light chit-chat. It's crazy, but I can't remember what she looks like, but I remember thinking she looked and sounded like an angel! I was able to relax a bit. She really was so comforting! The whole procedure did not take long once the doctor came in. They took what is called a core biopsy. The doctor numbed the area before taking the biopsy. AND if you've ever had ANYTHING done before, you know the "numbing" part is the WORST! And it was. The Radiologist was quick, and the biopsy felt like a pulling sensation. She took 3 samples to make sure she had all the suspicious spots. They warned me the tool the doctor uses makes a loud spring-like sound during each sample. I'm glad they warned me. Then I was done.

They patched me up with some bandage, took my blood pressure, and heart rate...and everything was MUCH lower. I felt very relieved it was all over. I was so happy when I saw Ted in the waiting room. I scheduled to hear my results with the Radiologist on Friday....3 1/3 days away.

AFTERWARD...
We drove home, and I was feeling pretty good and positive. BUT that changed later on in the evening. This was the worst part. THIS WAS THE WORST PART OUT OF MY ENTIRE EXPERIENCE...was the waiting. Did I have it? Did I have CANCER? Was I going to die? I didn't want to leave my husband. I was too young to die! I wanted us to be parents together! I wanted to be a Mommy! Was the cancer spreading through out my body right now as I speak? All those little pains that I had, was it cancer or just from too much exercising, or not enough exercising??? Every fear, every question went through my mind.

I remember saying, "Well, I guess there are more people dead, then there are alive?!" I clearly was thinking way, way out of my box! Who thinks like that?!? But it was true. Oddly, it didn't make me feel worse.

My husband was fantastic! He laid on the bed with me, and tried to be as supportive as ever. He reminded me to pray, and boy, did I pray! I don't know how I would've done it without prayer and my husband. Now, all I had to do was go to work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning. It really was one of the most difficult things I had to do...just wait.