After an unrelated xray, a nodule was found on my lung. I had a 2nd xray. Few weeks later had CT Scan, weeks later PET scan. Now awaiting my ct guided biopsy. I am a single mum for 2(9 and 5) no family near.
Can anyone give me any advice? My consultant has said the biopsy could be unsuccessful due to location on the nodule and the fact I'll be moving. How painful are they. And any other information greatly received
Hi Fifi12 sorry to hear about your recent diagnoses. Being a single mum to 2 little ones is hard in itself, and to be going through all of this on your own is terrifying. Please do reach out here as often as you need too, but also you can call the macmillan support line on 0808 808 00 00 who are available 7 days a week from 8am until 8pm.
I haven’t had a guided biopsy myself, but there have been people here in the group who have, so hopefully someone will be along soon to share their experience with you. I think like everything that you have to go through with a cancer diagnoses, it is the fear of the unknown that is the worst part. People have said it wasn’t as bad as they thought it would be.
If you haven’t already, do please make the children’s school aware of your situation. My daughter was a bit older than yours when I was diagnosed, but the school did keep a close eye on her.
Hope you get a date for the biopsy soon.
I had a CT guided lung biopsy two month's ago. The procedure begins with a CT scan to show exactly where the biopsy is to be taken from. The procedure is all performed on the same table as your CT scan. The procedure begins with local anaesthetic injections into the chest wall, I had three local anaesthetic injections, one above the site and one below, and one directly on the site for biopsy. I found the only painful/uncomfortable procedure was the local anaesthetic injections, after they work you are completely numb. The doctor then makes a very tiny opening to enable the insertion of the biopsy retrieval tube, then inserts the biopsy needle, you will then hear a loud click as the biopsy gun takes a sample, sometimes they take two biopsies as I had done, this is to ensure they have enough tissue to examine.
After the biopsies have been taken you are taken back to the ward to rest for a few hours, then before being discharged an X-ray is taken to make sure the lung is performing ok. Sometimes there can be an air leak or lung collapse caused by the procedure, that is why an X-ray is performed before discharge. I had a bit of an air leak so was put on observation every half hour and waited a bit longer for the X-ray.
I think it is fear of the unknown that scares us, I was terrified on the day of the procedure, I think it is psychological as the procedure is performed whilst awake, but I calmed down once the procedure got under way and I knew it wasn't as bad as I feared. One thing to note is that the area that is biopsied can become very sore once the local anaesthetic wears off, and can be for a couple of days. You are given advice to rest for a couple of days and not to do anything strenuous, heavy lifting etc. I found being upright in bed for a couple of days helped and a couple of painkillers.
Best wishes.
