off to the breast care unit

Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

Your post caught my eye because this morning I've had the very same procedure you're talking about so thought I'd share my experience with you.

I had a routine mammogram 10 days ago and received a letter recalling me 7 days later. My hospital, like yours, operates what's called a one-stop clinic where mammograms, screening and biopsies all happen on the same day.

My morning went like this:

• Arrived at 9am and after completing paperwork a nurse talked me through why I'd been called back and what to expect this morning
• Shortly afterwards was taken for a mammogram of the breast they had seen areas of concern in
• Back to waiting room for about 10 minutes while consultant examined the mammogram images
• Taken to ultrasound room where the nurse explained that they'd seen an area they were concerned about on the new mammogram images and checked both my breasts. She couldn't feel any lumps. Unfortunately, the ultrasound did pick up a 'lump' so a biopsy was done.
• Now the biopsy was completely painless. I barely felt the local anaesthetic being injected. The consultant constantly checked with me that I couldn't feel anything and also said to tell her straight away if I could. I couldn't see the 'needle' as I was lying on my side so can't tell you how big or not it was but I certainly couldn't feel it. She had to insert it 3 times to take 3 biopsies and at no time did I feel any discomfort. She explained that I'd hear a click each time she took the biopsy. She also inserted a 'marker' into my breast in case they couldn't find the lump when it comes to removing it.
• I then had a final mammogram to make sure that the 'marker' could be seen
• Left hospital at 10.30am after nurse had booked me an appointment for next Monday for my results and had answered any questions I might have.

Now I know how scared you're probably feeling right now so I'd like to recommend that you join the breast cancer group which is a great place to ask questions, share experiences and get support.

To join just click on the link I've created and then join and post in the same way as you did here. You can also join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'. 

If you want to ask me anything  about the procedures I had this morning please do and I'll be happy to help and reassure if I can.

x

Hi Latchbrook, thankyou so much for explaining in the perfect timeline of what to expect. 
I really really appreciate it. 
one of my concerns was feeling the pain of the biopsy needle, even with the local anaesthetic. but its great to know they will ask how it is. 
i know all hospitals are different, and im sure they have to see alot of people a day. so im really hoping they will understand my fears and may have tissues on hand! thankyou again 

No problem , I'm glad to help

Judging from my experience I'm sure you won't feel the biopsy needle and, even if you do, they can numb the area further so you won't feel it.

Everyone was really lovely and took time to explain what they were going to do and then told me when they were about to do it.

If you explain to them about your fear of needles I'm sure they'll be reassuring. 

I have to have another biopsy tomorrow, because they think I also have an area of DCIS, and I shall be going without any worries knowing how painless today's procedure was.

Let me know how you get on on Wednesday

x

I wish you luck tomorrow and I hope they don't find anything else. I will update this thread as soon as I can afterwards. Your words have been really calming.. for now anyway