Well to continue kind readers, Joey and I had the appointment with the specialist and I am so very grateful that we did. Not only was Dr. MacDermott and her staff extremely kind and gracious, the doctor was able to explain so many things to us that its hard to explain the reassurance and comfort that provided. Dr. MacDermott had already reviewed the scans and ultrasound results provided by the Breast Center and then she did an exam. All the while she was explaining everything to me and continually reassuring me. After the exam she showed me on the ultrasound scan where the area of question was and explained that in her experience, she believed that it was a cyst and was filled with fluid only. She explain the characteristics of cancer and what she looks for. Then I got dressed again and Joey was brought in. Dr. MacDermott again explained everything so that Joey got the information first hand from her and she showed him, as well, exactly what she looked at and why she felt that it was a fluid based cyst and that she highly doubted that there was any cancer.
She said that she wanted the biopsy performed so that we would have the pathology for the final non-cancer diagnosis. Her staff explained how to set up the biopsy appointment and to call them once that was done so I could schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. MacDermott.
To say that the ride home was a far better experience, traffic and all, is an understatement. While not looking forward to having a biopsy performed I was far less fearful knowing that Dr. MacDermott was pretty certain that there was no cancer. While no doctor can know anything for sure and that the pathology report would be pretty conclusive, I felt comfort from Dr. MacDermott. She is highly education, highly experienced and very clear in what she says. She not only told us her opinion but showed us, first hand, why she was saying what she said.
The appointment for the core biopsy was set. The hospital advised that I would not be put under general anesthesia, just a local shot to numb the area would be given and that I would be able to eat normally and that I would be able to drive myself home afterwards. They said that the area would receive a shot to numb it, the doctor would use an ultrasound machine to locate the exact area in question and then a small incision would be done to allow for the biopsy needle to enter and remove a small amount of tissue. Then a butterfly bandage would be applied, my chest would be strapped with an Ace bandage and ice would be applied. I was not to lift anything for 3-7 days afterwards. The check-in nurse did a great job of explaining everything and giving me all of the instructions.
I scheduled the biopsy for a Friday afternoon, that way I could work most of the day and not have to dwell on what was going to happen and then have the procedure and have the weekend to recover from it. It went as I figured it would that is until the doctor that was performing the procedure, again I was blessed with a wonderful doctor and a terrific nurse. The doctor explained every step to me and helped me to be as comfortable as possible. When she did the ultrasound she said that she was inclined to agree with Dr. MacDermott that we were dealing with a fluid based cyst and that Dr. MacDermott had given a prescription allowing for an aspiration (they put a needle in and draw out the fluid to be tested) and/or a core biopsy (they put a needle in and draw out tissue to be tested) to be performed. The doctor decided to try to do the aspiration first, as that procedure is less invasive and less painful. Gratefully that procedure worked and it was a cyst and she was able to draw out fluid to be tested by the pathology department. Some pressure was applied to the area, then a bandage and I was told that I was done and could get dressed. Once I got into the dressing area, I noticed that I was hurting a lot and that the area had already started to bruise. The nurse knocked on the door to ask if I was alright and I told her what was happening. She told the doctor and the doctor wanted to check me again. She used the ultrasound machine on me again to make sure that I wasn't bleeding internally, which I wasn't. I bruise very easily, always have and I was bruising really quickly and badly. She decided to follow the post-op procedure used when the core biopsy is performed and strapped my chest and had the nurse apply an ice pack. I felt better once I was strapped and the ice pack applied so I finished dressing and headed home.
End of Part II.
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