No. 04: In the 80% or the 20%?

Have you ever watched your car be put up on a lift and the mechanics work feverishly underneath the car's carriage? Well, that is the biopsy.

Arriving early for the appointed date and time, I made sure I sat in the waiting room in a way that I did not have to look at anyone. I was not crying; I promised myself that I will not do that. Plus, it was 80-20. Actually, I do not cry at funerals either. I think it stems from watching the funeral of John F. Kennedy and the stoic persona of his wife Jackie and children. I was young and impressionable, and it made an impression. I digress.

You know the drill about the clothes. I will skip that. The nurse came and took me to another room and had me sit while they prepared the table and computers. The nurse was explaining to me what was about to happen while they worked.

1- I would get on the table face down, with my breast placed in the hole to dangle beneath. Which side would I like to do first as they will be done separately? (I opted for left)

2- Once on the table, they will be manipulating the breast to the best angles.

3- I will then feel a pinch as they will administer a local lidocaine or some such anesthetic to numb the breast.

4- They will then cut and do the procedure; you should not feel anything. (We can pray)

I was led up a stepping stool and placed face down. Moving my arm above my head, one doctor and one nurse placed me and started reciting numbers. A third person stayed at my side and kept patting my arm. "Would you like a blanket?" "No," I said. "I am good."

The other two then proceeded to pull, then pinch. I am not sure what was happening. The nurse kept patting my arm and talking about current events and our hometown. I could not see her as she was on the opposite side of where my head was turned.

From underneath came a voice, "Let me know if you feel this." I did. Not sure what that meant, or what they did, but I then felt nothing. Staying still, I just kept looking at the wall and feeling the reassuring pat. Soon side one was complete.

"You will take a break right now as we prepare the second side." The Doctor left as the other two cleaned and wiped everything down for the second side. I had to ask, "It's just me, same germs, why do you have to clean everything?" The answer: "Protocol."

Once clean, the second side was ready to be prepared. With the right arm above my head and two working underneath, I looked face to face with the nurse, who was standing and continued to pat my arm and again asked if I wanted a blanket. Again, No. I just wanted the entire procedure to be completed. Let us not waste time searching for a blanket.

The numbers again were yelled across the room to the Doctor, and then she said she would start with the pinch. "OK, let's get 'er done." This time when asked to say something if I felt something, all was good. Nothing was felt.

The ordeal over, I sat up and realized I was almost to the ceiling.

"Don't move, stay where you are," came the command. I wasn't going to move anyway; I was just trying to get comfortable. Holding the gown around my torso, I was asked if I wanted anything: a drink, juice, soda, water. I opted for water.

The nurse went to get the water. The other sat with me and proceeded to take blood pressure. It seems my blood pressure was high when I came in. Of course it was high. It is high every time I visit a doctor and now even more so. Luckily now, it was down. I dutifully drank my water.

The radiologist returned and reviewed what was about to happen. The biopsy went smoothly, and it will take a few days to get results. The doctor will call you and let you know. These procedures are precautionary. 80% are benign. Remember that.

And so the first wait began. 80%—not bad odds. We can do this!