bone biopsy

Hi Wino,

I had one when I was first diagnosed with secondaries. I was dreading it, but in fact I was amazed by how it went. It depends where they are taking it from of course how it is done, but I assume the basics are the same. Mine was into my hip. It is done under CT scanner so the radiologist can make sure they are in the right place. They inject the site with local anaesthetic ( which stings but not terrible), then once that has taken effect they put a needle into the bone, and use it to "clip" several pieces out. My radiologist was lovely and told me what to expect, what the sound would be like as he took samples. I had to lie on my front on the ct scanner bed, and a radiographer held my hand throughout and told me I could squeeze her hand. To be truthful, once he had injected the anaesthetic I didnt really feel much and when he said he had done, I told him he could carry on if he wanted as I hadnt felt it! I then had to lie on my back to put pressure on the site, to stave off internal bleeding. I had to be monitored for about 6 hours, with 15 min observations, and did stay in overnight. The worst bit for me was I had not had a wee for a while before the procedure, and I was absolutely bursting by the time they would let me get out of bed. My bladder refused to accept a bedpan. So have a wee beforehand!

It was sore for a few days afterwards, but I didnt need pain relief. I do seem to be lucky and cope well with pain ( or in fact often dont seem to feel it- so maybe I am just a bit numb generally!). I had a liver biopsy in Dec and that too was much less traumatic than I expected.

Have to say the worst bit was waiting for results, in both cases, as it took a while.Anyway, hope that re-assures you a bit, and I really hope you get a date soon.

Morning owenedbystaffies                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Thank you for replying you have helped as usual it sounds alright to me. The only problem is as you know i can not start treatment till i have had this procedure and with this virus i am scared i wont get it so we know what that means no treatment. Xx

Hi wino, glad the info was useful. Not knowing is what causes the problems - the opposite of "ignorance is bliss".

The biopsy is done so they can decide which is the best treatment, so it is necessary, but anxiety provoking in the meantime. I think they are only delaying treatment if the time factor is not critical. We all imagine the cancer cells are multiplying exponentially, but often growth is not as dramatic as you think, so all I can say is take heart and try not to focus too much on the worry. Distraction can be a great relief, so whatever works for you. It is much harder sadly in these lockdown times to find distraction, but for me enjoying nature outside my window going about its thing, regardless of us, is uplifting. Music, writing out feelings, finding ways to socialise and laugh with others, meditation etc. Try any and all to get you through.

xx

Hi ownedbystaffies         Your info is always useful thank you, i hear what you are saying and i know you are right i am just stressed, and like everyone else just want treatment to start asap. It is much harder now with corona virus and i don,t know if my bone biopsy will go ahead now, if so i will not have biopsy till end of august if i am lucky, and any treatment will not start till September/October,by which it will probably be to late for the treatment to work. I will always try to find a way to stay positive but its getting harder day by day every time i think i am ahead something happens to make it more difficult to carry on. I will not do anything silly because i have a great sister and a son i would not do it to them as i love them very much but every day is getting harder to manage.As for distractions yes i am trying, i talk to friends, puzzles,walks,car rides, and i love nature lots of birds nesting in my garden.I am going to look into meditation it might help you never know.Again thank you,i am so pleased to have you to speak to you help me more than you can imagine.Please Take Care and stay SAFE Xx

Hi Wino,

I know you are stressed and time seems to extend massively when you are waiting. I know when I was waiting for my diagnosis and treatment plan, the pace felt really slow. But I know that the process just takes time and my worrying did nothing to change that. I read your profile and saw you were given diagnosis in mid - March. So, it is a couple of weeks since then, and you now know that you are waiting for another diagnostic test. I wonder if you are setting out a timetable in your mind ( till Sept/oct as you say above) but based on not knowing any real timescale. None of us know how this covid pandemic will play out and what impact it will have, but I honestly believe that the oncology teams will do all they can to make things happen. Your fears and reference to possible suicidal feelings are understandable, but remember feelings are just that. You clearly want to live or else you wouldnt be seeking treatment, so you know rationally that you dont want to die, it is the stress talking. Giving expression to those feelings to someone safe really helps - so talk to Macmillan or friends you can trust or a counsellor etc.

Can I also remind you that before you knew you had cancer, before you had problems, the cancer was probably there for a good while, as for most of us. I am not trying to downplay this, but we magnify things in our minds when the truth is that there is often more time than we think. Hope this doesnt come over as all pious crap. Just remember to breathe and let go some of the tension. Learning the breathing techniques of mindfulness and meditation can really calm the mind and body. Learning to release the stress can keep you sane in insane times

xx

Hi ownedbystaffies             Again thank you, i know its stress and living alone does not help.I have decided not to watch any news on the corona virus,and give my brain " whats left of it " time to calm down.I am going for a walk now i am lucky to live in a rural location and there are some lovely walks.                                                     You are right about the cancer probably being their for a while now i know mine started June of last year so thats probably why i am so time sensitive.I will star strong and carry on Stay safe Xx