A day at the breast clinic

Last Wednesday was my appointment at the breast clinic. I had to be there by 8:30 am, which was probably the hardest part of the day since I am rather stuck on late hours at the moment. The Scientist took the day off work and drove me in, which is about when I realised I had forgotten the appointment card with information on how to find the clinic at the hospital. It’s a fairly big hospital that has bits added on over the years, so it can seem much like a maze. We parked in the parking deck near the hospital and walked across to one of the entries. The Scientist stopped and asked for directions from a woman in an office and then another guy happened along who had us follow him most of the way to the part of the building, which was very considerate. Once across to the correct wing, I started seeing signs and followed along until we arrived.

There was a woman just ahead of me at reception and then I was given the clipboard with forms to complete before we got started. There was a television on one of the walls but it was at an awkward angle to continue watching while sitting there. It was mostly showing the tennis from the Australian Open. While there we saw that Venus Williams lost and then her sister won. After that I didn’t note a whole lot of what was happening. It must have been at least some time after 9am when I got called back to do the mammogram. I first was directed to a cubicle where I changed into a top that was easily accessible for what was to come. Then I waited in another area for a few minutes before being taken into the room. I was expecting it to be a more lengthy process than the screening but it was mostly a matter of doing a couple of images from one angle and then a couple more from two more angles. I think it came out to be about five in all and didn’t take all that long, aside from having to change around the machinery at bit. Before we started the technician showed the mammograms with the area of concern. The spot was very hard to see it on either image so I figure it must take quite a lot of practice to pick up some issues. After the mammogram, I went back to the main waiting area, which was now quite full. I was actually in the third intake of patients but I guess we all ended up out there together, many of us with partners.

There was another wait, probably for about half an hour to 45 minutes, to see the doctor. She called me in and told me that the actual calcification was quite faint and it seems the close up mammogram didn’t change much. So they wanted me to have a biopsy just to be sure. She went through a few typical questions and explained a tiny bit about how it was done, then I was sent back to the waiting area. Then I was called back by the radiologist who told me the calcification really, really was hard to see and that there was a good chance they might not be able to get a sample in the biopsy. If that was the case, I was going to be recalled in a year to check everything. Then he went through a few more specifics of the procedure and had me sign a couple of things before I was back to the waiting room. There were at least a couple women ahead of me but if it took too long they would do it after lunch time.

Speaking of lunch time, I was quite hungry by this stage, despite eating breakfast before leaving home. This wait seemed to take longer than the other ones but I did get called back before midday and was asked if I needed to go to the toilet as I’d be in there for forty-five minutes. I didn’t and we went into the room where the biopsies were done. I had to lie on my stomach on a table that had a rather largest hole in the middle. I knew there would be a hole but was surprised to see how large it was. I had to lie with one breast up to the side and the one being biopsied hanging down. I then had to make myself comfortable as I wasn’t supposed to move my head or arms. I took off my glasses and put them near my head since I couldn’t possibly keep face down. :)  From this angle, it was impossible to see anything that was happening and one woman stayed near my head to explain what was happening while it happened. There was some music playing in the background…some sort of jazz from what I recall. Lots of things were being opened from sealed packaging and eventually the area to be biopsied was swabbed. Then it was time for the local anesthetic, which I’d been told earlier might be really painful for a short while before it kicked in. I was dreading this part the most because it was quite painful when I had the endometrial biopsy last year. As it turns out, it didn’t hurt much more than having any other injection and soon I was about ready for the procedure. At various points through this process, some special mammogram images were done to make sure they had the right target. Then it was time for the actual procedure where a stereotactic vacuum extraction was done several times. The good thing about the calcification is it can be x-rayed after it’s taken to make sure they have the right material. I think they must have taken about four or five samples and then it was over. The wounds were covered with tape and a dressing and I was given instructions for no strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for three days. I was also warned there could be quite a bit of bruising, which was good since I wouldn’t have expected massive bruising from a small biopsy wound. I was soon allowed to go get dressed and then had to make an appointment for the next day to see the doctor about results.

Which brings me to the surprise about having a follow up the next day after the nurse from Breast Screen saying I would have everything done and have results the same day. I don’t think I misunderstood and even clarified on the phone that it was all a one day thing. It did seem awfully unlikely to be getting biopsy results the same day so that part wasn’t too surprising. But with that information I had made plans for the next day and had to reschedule a visit from friends to Friday.

Anyway, I finished up and we left the city and stopped along the way for me to get a bit of lunch before coming home.