Photo: Who's that?!Before the biopsy I had couple weeks to do much research on the net. This included everything from the western medicine models to many of the other healing modalities based on treating the body and mind from a holistic perspective. I have a background in holistic health so I have some familiarity with and have always been interested in energy medicine. Remember Einstein’s E = mc2. Many healing modalities are based on this premise. Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, etc.
My cousin Gerald, from Birmingham, UK, a few weeks earlier had recommended a healer, Donna Eden. So I followed up and ordered a bunch of her materials –and bingo, the perfect stuff! Then a new friend Kathy recommends Rose, a Jin Shin Jytsu healer who lives nearby; we have had a number of sessions with her and she is the wonderful. And I just had an acupuncture treatment today with Noe, a fabulous natural healer. These therapies can be termed either alternative or complementary, depending on how one uses them. These go together with the usual healthy lifestyle which is an essential part of holistic healing.
This preparation is actually a recipe for truly taking care of oneself throughout your life - getting a health crisis is a jolt to wake up. Don't take good health for granted! Having a strong body goes with having a strong mind. I have a practice of cultivating the mind. Can I stay steady even with this health issue.
Oct. 1st My wonderful husband came with me to the biopsy, and our dear friend, Raphael, came too. They were great support in the waiting room - I felt I was in good hands ;)
Ron asked if they could also be present in the procedure room and wonderfully were allowed to accompany me. It was bit of a party room. The cast is: Me the patient, tech lady, the doc, husband Ron and Friend Raphael. (When tech lady left to get the doc we had a quick "toning" session to stablise the energy).
I lay with my arm above my Head offering my left breast for sacrifice, no sorry, for a weeny little bit of tissue sample. Tech lady located the "calcs" in my left breast with ultrasound device, with us all watching the screen up on the wall (kinda like movie time). Then the doc came in and set up all the goodies to extract the little calcium deposits - about the size of salt grains (there was no indication of a lump or nodule). He calmly explained the plan of action: numb skin of the breast; numb interior of breast; insert biopsy needle which has a vacuum device that sucks the tissue into the needle and then cuts it and then vacuums it out - very handy! And they can get a number of samples without going back in again and again so less trauma.
So I watch the screen observing the inserting of the needle to numb the breast tissue. Then the large biopsy needle comes in view that sucks and cuts; it appeared just below the calcs, I see them suctioned in, and then I see them disappear. He takes 4 samples. It's all kind of surreal as I can't feel anything except for a little stinging at the beginning. But I notice the tech ladys face contort when he inserts the needles especially the larger one as he has to do a few jab like pushes to get it in. Ron is looking at me and Raphael is watching the big screen.
The actual biopsy was pretty quick. The Doc showed us the tissue samples, about an inch long and swimming in a little jar in clear fluid. The tech lady applied pressure to stop the bleeding from a 1/2 inch incision, then put "steri strips" over it - no stitchs needed, and then a pressure bandage to finish up. No one fainted during the party and we all exited the stage set!
Alas, not all was finished for me. I get to have a mammogram to check on the metal clip that they left behind as a souviner. This metal marked the location of the biopsy for future reference.
Luckily they don't sqeeze the machine down on me hard.
I then go home and get "therapy ice cream" on the way home - good medicine and good husband. The Pathology report is due back the next day or a couple of days later if they send it out for a second opinion. (But that is another story...for tomorrow...aka, 'the waiting game'.)
