An ultrasound core needle biopsy means they make an incision in your breast and stick a hollowed out, large needle into your boob. Through this hollowed out (or core) needle, a vacuum is used to suck out tissue. That’s my not-medically-correct-but-clear-explanation. An ultrasound wand tells them where they need to go.
So, my procedure started with an ultrasound which felt like deja vu!
My boob was sterilized, and I felt a small pinch.
“That shot was probably the hardest,” second doctor explained. “We are going to give you a few more, and will move deeper and deeper with the shots until the area is deadened,” she said.
Note: I was gripping Kami’s hand the entire time. And listening to a playlist from 2012. #CallMeMaybe
They talked to me the entire time, and told me exactly when the core needle went into the targeted area. My eyes were closed the whole entire time. However, once they started extracting the tissue with the vacuum, the pressure very apparent.
“You are doing really well,” the doctor said. “But we need to go a little deeper because the tissue is so dense. We will shoot a little more local pain medication through the core needle and down into the site area.”
They did this twice.
I was beyond grateful.
The noise of the vacuum was not too bad. And when Carrie Underwood’s rendition of Jesus, Take The Wheel came on, I could not even hear the vacuum. But I could feel the pressure of the core needle. LOTS of pressure.
It was over sooner than I expected.
“We’re all done,” both doctors informed me enthusiastically. I opened my eyes and looked down. That core needle was still inserted in my breast. I started sweating again. Was this some sick joke?
They saw my confusion and explained that the only thing left was to insert the titanium marker. This marker would show exactly where the biopsy area was performed when I have future mammos and if I need a surgery. I was under the impression the marker was just under the skin at the point of the core needle insertion.
NOPE.
I continued to grip Kami’s hand. Not really because of the pain, which was not bad. But mainly because my mind started working overtime as to what was going on with my left boob!
The marker was placed, and butterfly strips were placed over the incision site.
The doctors left, and Kami prepared the specimens while I dressed.
“Do you want to see it?” she asked me.
“Seriously? Yes, I’m so curious at to what was just pulled out of my breast!” I answered.
I went over to the counter and looked at the small plastic cup containing tissue samples. I could not stop staring at the jelly-like soft pink glob. It was shimmery and a little like really small beads bound together.
It was a profound moment that I will never forget.
Kami & I joked about how the procedure was so dramatic to yield such a small sample! We laughed, I gathered by my purse, and I was DONE! Kind of.
I put my gown back on and Kami took me back to the female only waiting room. I needed another mammogram to make sure the marker was accurately placed accurately.
The mammogram was quick and I was all set.
As I dressed I realized I was shaking. Literally shaking. It was over.
I had to have a biopsy before my hysterectomy and I remember pressure more than pain. Sounds like you had a great team though.
I never understood the intensity of biopsies until now. I cannot even imagine how yours must have been!