
I had my first biopsy last week. It was an interesting new experience. My GP has been ‘watching and waiting’ some thyroid nodules for a few years. On this year’s ultrasound one of the nodules had reached the size that should be investigated. With some trepidation I set off for the hospital and found a parking space straight away – that was miraculous!
Going for a procedure in the USA is full of ridiculous bureaucracy but curiously there was no payment requested. More trepidation… It’s possible I have used my deductible (about $5000), if not they will send me a bill, post haste. After almost 2 decades living here, I don’t even bother to look at what I am signing. Eventually I got to another desk where I filled in even more documents about my current health. They took me to a small unit with single bedrooms for the procedures.
The very nice lady asked even more questions. “What is your name, date of birth and why are you here?” Then she presented even more documents. I may have sold my soul because I signed everything including the one that alluded to their hand slipping, slitting my artery and me needed lots of blood transfusions full of monkey pox or whatever glamorous name the CDC are going to call it.
While all this was going on, I could hear a man in the next room talking relentlessly. Was anyone responding to him or was he on his cell phone? There is a strange lady in our street who goes for a walk around the ‘hood’ and talks the whole time. She has an ear piece in but I think she might be talking to herself or the voices in her head? The nurse took pity on me and found a remote so I could watch the one channel working on the TV. Thank the Lord it wasn’t Fox News… I tried to focus on Law and Order but the fella next door just kept talking. I regretted not taking my Xanax.
Then the door was wedged open so I could see other patients in various states of undress. One man across the way was preparing to strip not realizing I could see him. His nurse ruined everything by closing his door – dang it. Suddenly the ‘talk the hind legs off a donkey’ man appeared in my doorway. He looked like he was reversing into my room and I had an excellent view of his underpants because his gown wasn’t fastened at the back. I wondered about laughing or crying but then it struck me that he was a poor old soul, likely suffering with a dementia. He made it to the bathroom, talking all the way. The nurses retrieved him and took him back to his room, not mine.
My team arrived in a flurry. There was an ultrasound technician to locate the little blighter, the nurse practitioner who was going to do the biopsy and the assistant who was doing all the sterile stuff. They injected lidocaine (numbing agent) around the area at the base of my neck, using the tumescent technique which I knew all about because I am addicted to Dr. Pimple Popper. Yet again they asked me “Who are you, when were you born and why are you here”. After that was confirmed, she said, “The lidocaine will really sting but you shouldn’t feel the biopsy needle”. Not exactly reassuring but correct. It is very strange having a numbing sensation in your throat instead of your teeth.
During the fairly short procedure, I could hear the talker next door loudly objecting to signing all the papers. “Why would I need a blood transfusion?” The nurse responded, also very loudly, “Well, Mr. Talker, you are having a lung biopsy, so it’s just in case something happens”. She had the patience of a saint and was very kind to him. I really wanted to chuckle but I had to stay still. After it was completed, they told me that it was possible that the results would be inconclusive because it was a watery cyst. That’s a good sign although there is a very small chance of cancerous cells floating in the liquid. My gut feeling is that it’s yet another of my odd yet benign cysts that lurk throughout my body. What should I name her – ‘Nora Nodule’ perhaps? The one in my chest cavity is called ‘Pumpkin’ because she was discovered at Halloween. Still to name the one in my bile duct – he feels a bit creepy. What a place for a cyst to hide!
They left me in the room to rest for a bit with an icepack on the puncture. I felt perfectly fine so just got dressed and went out to get my discharge papers. On the way home I popped into the Purgatorial Post Office which I usually avoid at all costs. The staff are snotty and there is always a queue. The assistant who served me was entirely silent during our transaction. I hoped he was unnerved by my mask, the Band-Aid on my neck and the two patient wristbands (one was bright red for the Monkey Pox transfusion). Why are they so difficult to cut off?
Still waiting for results but there was no bruise, little swelling and just a little discomfort. Compared to life during the Pandemic I would class this as a fun day out!
Your results will be fine. Have yourself a gin and tonic over crushed ice with a twist of lime. Yum
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Praying for good results! And very admiring of your positive spin on it! 🙂
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Thank you so much, MB. K x
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What an interesting day you had. To bad the nurse shut the door before you were able to “sneak a peak” 🤪 lol. Hoping for good results and sending well wishes. 😁
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Thank you – she was such a spoilsport! 🥰
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Hope the results are negative!!!
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I am sure they will be inconclusive!! Thank you!
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Oh, let us hope you get a firm “all clear” ! 🙂
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Fingers crossed!
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Definitely!!
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Interesting outing. Here’s hoping the results are clear.
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Me too! Thank you, Peggy.
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I applaud you on your attitude: “ a fun day out.” In any event, praying for good results.
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You are probably the one who wrote the words and music to “always look on the bright side of life…” 😊
Hoping for negative (i.e. good) results!
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I did…😀 Thank you so much, Tanja.
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I feel like hugging you – and I’ll be holding thumbs for you.
Medical stuff and the post office seem to be a chapter from the same book all over the world.
Best wishes.
Pat
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Aww, that is so nice of you – thank you! K x
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Screenings, doctor appointments and medical tests are an unavoidable part of life, and they’re necessary to stay healthy, but it’s very hard to ease worry while waiting for medical test results, Kerry. That sinking feeling of anxiety is something many of us have experienced when waiting for the results of a medical test and for one reason or another, we may find ourselves mentally preparing for bad news, even if we know – deep down – that this is unlikely to happen. Sending you lots of virtual hugs, my friend, stay strong! Lots of love 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thank you so much, Aiva. We are always a little afraid of the unknown. K x
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Kerry, your positivity and perspective are more than admirable! Thank you for sharing, and I’m praying you hear nothing but good results.
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Thank you so much, Cate!
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You are fine, dear Kerry! Have yourself a nice drink and drown your trepidations in it.
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I will take your great advice, dear Dolly! 🍷
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😻 Sending blessings your way!
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Thank you! 💟
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Haha, loved that commentary. It makes you wonder about the formalities before major surgery – maybe identical. And what’s the problem with the post office staff? They can’t be enjoying their work can they? Customer facing should always be friendly and smiley.
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Our post office is particularly bad, Roy. So bad that I buy overseas stamps when I am on vacation around Texas. The lady at the seaside couldn’t stop chatting – charming! I have had surgery at the same hospital and the paperwork was probably the same but you forget after the anesthetic. LOL!
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The day always seems to be blessed if it starts with finding a parking space at a hospital – Miraculous indeed!
I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this but I’m also glad they can biopsy it, just in case. The paperwork seems pretty hefty for a biopsy. It’s disgusting things haven’t changed in terms of consent for a lot of patients in the US & UK. Just shove some papers over, then either reel off a couple of horrific-sounding outcomes or just ignore them altogether and say it’s perfectly safe. Not sure which is worse anymore.
I’d managed to never see Dr. Pimple Popper until two days ago when I watched 10 minutes. I get the appeal (I don’t necessarily mind scabs being picked off, for instance), but still, my stomach couldn’t climb its way up my throat fast enough 🤢🤮 Never again.
It’s great it’s a fairly quick, straightforward procedure as a day case. God bless lidocaine. As for a name, Nora is quite cute. I guess “Bile Bulge” is a bit unappealing but it’s the only other onomatopoeia name I could think of.
It being watery sounds good. I realise you don’t want to tempt fate or anything, but I’m thinking good thoughts and I’ll certainly keep my fingers crossed. Any idea how long the results might take?
Caz xx
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Ha, ha – Bile Bulge or perhaps Bilge?? He will remained anonymous…😱 Anyone who goes to hospitals regularly knows how terrible the parking is. I did notice, after I had parked, that they have free valet parking, so might try that some time. The results were supposed to be in 3-5 days but it’s two weeks now with no news. Litigation is a big problem in US hospitals thus the signing your life away. It’s crazy really because a good lawyer will usually get you compensation if ‘something goes wrong’. So many nurses have left since the Pandemic that there are problems with staffing here too. Thank you, Caz! K x
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Wishing you an all-clear, sooner than later. Waiting is hard.
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Thank you, Crystal – still waiting… No news is good news!
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Wishing you all the very best.
Thinking of you.
x
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Thank you so much – still waiting the results.
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The waiting is difficult…
Hoping for good things 🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻
x
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Thank you so much. The nodule is not malignant and I am very grateful.
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That is awesome news; so happy for you xx
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🥰
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I have had this done and it sucks! Sending you hugs and praying that all is well.
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Still waiting for the bloody results…
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Praying that it is good news.
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I hate doctor appointments and testing days. I dread them so much! My last one was for a mammogram and in the waiting room I could hear other women getting theirs done right down to details about what job their husband did, the last four of their socials, their birthday. Ugh talk about a HIPPA violation! I had to inform the nurse. Anywho I’m so sorry about your test and I hope you’re okay! I know a lot about health issues and they really suck. Praying for you!
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LOL! Why do we need to give our socials??? Drives me crazy. Thank you for your prayers. 🥰
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You’re welcome!!
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