I had a stereotactic breast biopsy on the left breast in 2005. The lesion was not deep, and they entered at the top of my breast to get to the lesion. Came back as proliferative tissue with no atypia. Basically, "busy breasts" was what I was told then. They wanted to watch closely, with frequent mammograms, and cone compressions. I opted to just have an excision and get the thing out of there. Everything went according to plan...no complications.
Here's what you need to learn:
Right breast, the lesion is (as I have said before) deep in the tissue. The stereotactic breast biopsy was performed by entering more into the side of my breast and the core need biopsy kept taking little "bites" of tissue as it advanced. Well, I FELT one of the bites, and almost came off the table. Of course I really couldn't, because my right breast was trapped in a mammogram machine under the table I was lying face down on. The breast is pulled thru a hole in the table, and then the table is raised. Anyway, if you have a lesion deep in the breast tissue...ASK THEM TO GIVE YOU LIDOCAINE as the core needle advances! Don't wait until it's too late, like I did. Hopefully, they will honor your request. I have researched, and when the lesion is deep in the tissue, it is typical for the lidocaine not to reach it's designated target.
One last thing on this subject. I have been in pain since that biopsy on the right breast. I thought it was because there is cancer there, and things were not going to heal inside because of it. But what has been suggested from Melanie at Scottsdale Hospital is that I now possibly have nerve damage. Never even thought of that being a side effect. Researched that too....not a whole lot of info on the subject. But I did find one woman who said she was still in pain 3 months after her biopsy was performed.
My hope is that this info helps you to make an informed decision...and to be better prepared to ask the right questions :)
Love to All
Suzanne
Thank you for this lesson and warning! Gosh, that sounds painful!
ReplyDeleteAnd on the next blog... 2 places at once?!! Sounds like they have some crossed directions going on! I'm glad you have time to get it sorted out before hand... and I am certain they will take wonderful care of you! <3
Thanks for commenting, Lynne :) They have this whole CAMPUS thing...like going to college and running between buildings! Except I'm sure I won't be running...don't even want to run now...not too fun being bounced! I think they will figure it out when I am standing in front of them, and then they say, oh wait! you need to go over to THAT buildling! Texas isn't that far away from me.....you may hear me screaming if they still act like THE THREE STOOGES SCHOOL OF MEDICINE :)
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