Liver Biopsy

August 1, 2002

Deena,

Doctor said my liver was posterior. So he ordered an ultrasound so the

technician could mark an x on my side where the needle should go.

The actual procedure went very quickly and painlessly.

They required me to lay on my side for a certain number of hours. Told me I

couldn't get out of bed till 10:00 pm. Released me the next morning bright

and early. Having to stay in the VA overnight on a too-soft bunk was the

worst part.

Your biopsy should be a sinch.

Your friend,

Gene

August 1, 2002

I went to hospital, filled out some paper work, put on gown, went to a lab room,

doc thumps me like a ripe watermelon, numbs the area he's gonna use, does the

biopsy, shows me a bright red sliver of liver, and I go to a waiting area for an

hour and then went to Macs.

alley

It's a blonde life, but somebody has to live it!

August 1, 2002

I went to hospital, filled out some paper work, put on gown, went to a lab room,

doc thumps me like a ripe watermelon, numbs the area he's gonna use, does the

biopsy, shows me a bright red sliver of liver, and I go to a waiting area for an

hour and then went to Macs.

alley

It's a blonde life, but somebody has to live it!

August 1, 2002

I went to hospital, filled out some paper work, put on gown, went to a lab room,

doc thumps me like a ripe watermelon, numbs the area he's gonna use, does the

biopsy, shows me a bright red sliver of liver, and I go to a waiting area for an

hour and then went to Macs.

alley

It's a blonde life, but somebody has to live it!

August 1, 2002

I went to hospital, filled out some paper work, put on gown, went to a lab room,

doc thumps me like a ripe watermelon, numbs the area he's gonna use, does the

biopsy, shows me a bright red sliver of liver, and I go to a waiting area for an

hour and then went to Macs.

alley

It's a blonde life, but somebody has to live it!

August 2, 2002

Hi Deena,

The ANTICIPATION of the biopsy is MUCH worse than the biopsy

itself. In fact, the actual biopsy is so fast (assuming you have

someone experienced doing it) it doesn't really have time to hurt.

I've had two biopsies. The first one I had no pre-meds, just a local

to numb the area. (The liver has no pain receptors.) My doc kept

telling me it would only take a few seconds. I decided to distract

myself during the biopsy by counting (in my head!) the number of

seconds it took before he was finished. Well - I didn't even get to

one. It was over! The only problem I had that time was that

afterwards whenever I took a deep breath it hurt, so they gave me

Demerol and it worked fine. The worst part was having to lay on that

rolled up towel for two hours afterwards. I was sore (minor) at the

biopsy site for a few weeks. My second biopsy was very different. I

asked if I could be premedicated, and I don't know what they gave me

- Versed, which kind of makes you forget and not care what they do to

you, and a pain medication, and I never felt a thing. I remember them

saying it was over, and I asked to see the specimen. They all looked

at me like I was nuts, then said they had already sent it to the lab.

I had to lay on the rolled up towel for an hour or two, it never even

hurt at all afterwards, not even sore later. I think it was probably

because I was more relaxed. Basically, both were a breeze. I know

you'll still be nervous, but hopefully this will ease some of your

fears!

Claudine

--- sexy8unnie@... wrote:

> Hi All,

> Can someone be kind enough to walk me through their experience when

> they had

> their liver biospy?

> I am due my biospy next week and want to know what to expect. I'm

> pretty

> nervous about the whole ordeal.

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August 2, 2002