Needle Biopsy Is Not As Easy As They Say

 Anytime you hear the word biopsy it is scary. It's crazy how one word makes all kinds of emotions come to the surface. True, the "C" word was more nerve wracking, but I hadn't heard that word yet. So I was plenty scared with biopsy.

And doctors always make it sound like it's no big deal. "We just go in with a super thin needle and take a few samples. We will numb you and you will feel totally normal in a few hours." they say. I am here to tell you, that is not true. Perhaps it's because I am old, but I believe it is a big deal. I was still in pain the next morning and there was a HUGE bruise that turned into a scab right in the middle of my neck. I have never worn more scarves than I have this month! 

Here's the details and process of the needle biopsy. The doctor numbs your neck with lidocaine. It's the same stuff used for numbing your mouth for a filling. You can still feel the pressure, but not the pain. Once it's numb enough the nurse holds an ultrasound wand ion your neck while the doctor puts a needle into the softest part of your neck. Yep, it seems like he is going to puncture your breathing pipe. It's a little freaky. The needle they call "super thin" is as thick as a spaghetti noodle. As a noodle that seems super small, but as a needle going into your neck it seems rather thick! 

This may just be my experience. I may have just had a very chatty doctor. As the doctor is taking the needle and poking it into my neck multiple times in a row, he is talking to me about Disneyland and children. Yes, I had my Disney sweatshirt on and my Disney watch band and my Disney Lounge Fly backpack. It was clear I am a Disney fan. He asked me about all my Disney stuff before he got started and I guess figured he had a topic to distract me?!?! I can tell you, it didn't distract me. Don't get me wrong. I can talk Disney to anyone under any circumstances, but I was fully aware of the pressure and needle movement the whole time. 

It took me two days of putting ice on my neck and taking Tylenol (can't take Advil because of the blood thinners). So much for an easy recovery. 

When this biopsy was read by the experts they declared it as inconclusive. This is very frustrating to me. I have since read and watched stories of other people with my kind of cancer. Every single one of them did the needle biopsy only to be told it was inconclusive. EVERY ONE OF THEM! Why do they even do it? Why not just go to the surgical one. I mean, the recovery of the surgical one is harder, but at least we have an answer and it doesn't push us off another 2-3 weeks without answers.  

There have been several times in the past month that I have had questions about what they have done or the speed in which they have done it. Some of them are no longer worth questioning because it's over and can't be changed. Some that I am still curious about. But more on that later. 


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