Blah, blah, blah

[dragonyphoenix]

“Why? Is there blood?” That's what I was thinking when the nurse told me she had to clean the room before taking me down there. I'd found lumps on my breasts, had the mammogram, and was waiting for my biopsy. (Not cancer so you don't have to wonder.) They didn't tell me until that day, which is impressively manipulative in my book, that they put a chunk of metal, called a marker, in my breast so they can locate the biopsy location again later.

So a week later, the biopsy is puffed up, more than the original lump was, and tender. Freaking out, I go back to the doctor, who tells me it's called hematoma (from her description it sounds like it's clots under the skin) and that it's part of healing. That was a relief, but I started feeling dizzy on Sunday and am still dizzy although considerably less so, and today the doctor's office called (I had a pap smear while I was there) asking me to call them back.

I should be ecstatic and all healthy, but now I'm just feeling depressed.

Comments

[diebirchen.livejournal.com]

I had a breast biopsy, and they marked it with a long needle inserted while my boob was under an X-ray thingy. I had non-dangerous cysts, but like you, I found the whole thing yucky. I mean, not nursing babies any more. The danged things are a bother, and I hate, hate, hate the boob smashing machine! Condolences!

[lemorttoussaint.livejournal.com]

Again, I'm really glad it wasn't cancer. My sister's a two-time survivor (not breast, but osteo-sarcoma in her knee), and it is truly the scariest experience ever. And that's as a close observer, not even as a patient.

One thing I learned from my parents as they were dealing with all of little sis's medical stuff was NEVER be afraid to call doctors/nurses to task for not explaining stuff adequately. Part of their jobs, which tend to be overlooked, is communication. Not telling you something is NOT cool. It is your right as a patient to know what the fuck they're doing to you, and their responsibility to explain. And sometimes, unfortunately, you have to really push to make that happen.

::off soapbox:: I hope you feel better soon, and that the doc isn't calling about anything serious! This recovery sounds pretty miserable.