I had my second biopsy.
(ICKY POST WARNING)
It was much worse than the first one. This was partially because I knew what was coming, and the first time was no joy, you know? It was also just plain harder.
Remember what I said about breasts being full of all sorts of stuff? Well, when that stuff is muscle and solids the needle still has to go through it to the targeted lump. And that means pushing.
Yes, my friends, a large, long, needle was pushed through my breast today, several times, no less. That needle was pushed in, pulled out, and then pushed in again at a different angle. And yes, I paid a lot of money for this — and I’m not even kinky.
My breast feels like a man was leaning on it, and pushing on it, and leaning on it again. They used 3x the ‘normal’ amount of lidocaine to numb me up — and it did NOT hurt.
Then.
Now, I have stabbing pains (sort of like when you get a stitch in your side), and an intensely bruised feeling. Tylenol hasn’t helped much. Or, Tylenol is making a huge difference but I am hurting more than it can ease away.
Btw: I’m not allowed to take either aspirin or ibuprofen — they both increase bleeding and bruising. There, now you learned something.
Ow.
Ugh. That means you’ll also have to avoid willow bark (what aspirin is made from.) Are you also under orders to avoid all alcohol? I’m curious, mostly, to see if treatments have changed much.
Yerba matte’ seems to have an endorphin-releasing effect. Ultimately pain can only be really managed, but it might be good to start building that up. Maybe?
She mentioned green tea and ginko bilbao specifically — blood thinning effects. No mention of alcohol. Yerba Matte is not a favorite flavor (politely: I hate it), so I’m just gonna tough it out. Then again, the Tylenol took enough of the edge of that I’m better today.
Mostly: I wish I’d asked about using arnica cream. Maybe I will call and see.
Oh, holy Jeebus *hugs* Cancer sucks, and this is one reason why.
Definitely ask. Since arnica takes down swelling it probably is a blood thinner.
I did — and there is no problem with using it topically. (yay!)