Next step: biopsy tomorrow

Tomorrow at 11am I'm scheduled for a CT-guided needle bone biopsy. My oncologist said they'd likely use my hip. I'm to arrive two hours early.

I've done no research because I don't want to have specifics to worry about. I have general anxiety about a new procedure, one I've never experienced before.

And I hate needles.

I searched for free needle images on this blog site and chose pine needles because even looking at the medical needles gives me the heebie jeebies. Pine needles are the most familiar and comforting for me because I grew up in a piney part of Georgia where there are lots of pine needles. We played with them a lot as kids.

Needles that pierce my (or anyone's) skin scare me. I associate pain with needles. I figure bone biopsy needles are even more scary than regular ol' shot injection needles. So I for sure don't want to see one of those!

Yes, I keep my eyes closed A LOT during medical procedures. The less I see the better I do.

I'm super hydrating today because I want to have nice, plump veins for whatever is to come tomorrow. I'm a difficult stick, so I do what I can to make that a smidgen less difficult.

I'm not to eat for six hours before the procedure. And the pre-testing call today said to bring an overnight bag just in case. That was a surprise. I'm thinking it's not likely I'll need that but I'm all about being prepared so I'll be glad to have an overnight bag.

My sister is here to take me to the biopsy. She's learned this particular hospital very well, mainly from when I was there for my double knee replacement and then later for the revision of one of the replacements. She could probably give a tour just as good as one by a hospital administrator.

I'm hoping we're only there for a few hours tomorrow, though. And that I'm home in the afternoon, relieved it's over. My oncologist said I wouldn't be any worse after the biopsy than before. And that they would give me some kind of sedation for the procedure.

Fifteen years ago my only surgery was having my tonsils out when I have three years old. And now I'm an old hand at a variety of medical procedures and several surgeries.

The day before the bigger procedures is always a weird one. I start feeling more anxious. And that seems to make me grouchy.

So I warn my sister and try not to let the grouchy slip out too much.

I'm hoping I can sleep some tonight. And that the anxiety doesn't get worse. I don't think it will.

Even though I hate needles I'm very grateful for folks who can use them well and for the "good" that needles can deliver and for the information that they can gather. I won't live long enough to experience this...but I do believe in the next 100 or fewer years needles won't be necessary in many medical situations. There will be non-intrusive ways to gather information or give medication. And needles will be seen as "primitive."

But until then I'm stuck with needles...

...pun intended :)