Biopsy

[Guest guest]

My mother has ITP also but thank God doesn't have AIH as far as we know. The

doctors tell us there is no relation in my daughter having AIH and my mother

having ITP but I think their wrong because I have had an autoimmune disease

also. Three generations in a row, something is going on there.

ITP is more rare than AIH don't you think? My mother is on Prednisone and

doesn't weigh 100 pounds soaking wet. Her platelets have been down as low as

15,000. That was when she was first diagnosed and my daughter Jodi, her

lowest level was 35,000.

Genny/Jodi's Mom

Living Donor Transplant 5-18-01

#19 University of Miami

[Guest guest]

Genny,

My daughter had a friend who has ITP. They removed her spleen and she has

done wonderful. Don't know if anyone has mentioned that option or not. She

have very bad reactions to the transfusions they gave her. I talked to her

mother the other night and she said she had gotten married and was working at

a very stressfull job and had done well since the splenectomy. Maybe that's

a possibility?

[Guest guest]

Gill, I was asleep through mine but that was because I had my gall bladder out at the same time, but have heard that people are put out for their procedure....but that is just what I have heard...never gone through it awake.

debby

[ ] biopsy

I wasnt aware that you could be put to sleep during abiopsy I thought you had to remain awake for theprocedure - has anyone else slept through their biopsy.Regards Gill__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I've had them both ways. Sleep is nice, for me it's been versed which is an

amnestic it puts you in lalala land for the length of the procedure, For me

the uncomfortable part is when they stick in the needles to give the local

anesthetic (lidocaine) after that it's downhill.

Patty

[ ] biopsy

I wasnt aware that you could be put to sleep during a

biopsy I thought you had to remain awake for the

proced

ure - has anyone else slept through their biopsy.

Regards Gill

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/14/02 11:29:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time, writes:

Hi ,

not all biopsies are bad. Mine was a piece of cake. I don't know whether it's the dr. or the person that makes a difference, but I had no pain whatsoever. The part that hurt the worst was him poking around my side with his fingers to find a gap between my ribs..lol. My mother has had 2 liver biopsies, and both of hers have been pain free, too. She didn't have the same dr. as me, either. So, don't think the worst when you go in there. Bring a good book, because it's a l-o-n-g 5 hr. wait afterwards. Good luck to you. Laurie

I said earlier that I think pain/no pain in biopsies is a matter of luck, skill, and personal anatomy. I remember now that my doctor said that I was extremely relaxed (just too sick to care, really), and that he'd found that people who weren't tense had better outcomes, as clenched muscles made the procedure more difficult to perform.

Harper

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

I send my best wishes and lots of love and prayers to you right now. I had another biopsy and just needed a local anesthetic...no pain afterward. I also had an EGD this week and there were no varices (very good news after 5 major bleeds that required banding). I hear that Miami has halted live liver transplants until a protocol can be set up to avoid the problems Mt. Sinai in NY had. BTW, the donor brother contracted an infection (clostridium) that is very common in the hospital environment. I always wear a mask when I have to go to the hospital! Please know that you are on many prayer lists and the Lord watches out for you...even on the travel road to get where you are going.

Blessings to you,

[Guest guest]

Debbie, you will be just fine! So glad you have it scheduled...things will be ok....I made it through mine with all of the support here...debby

[ ] Biopsy

I just got the call. My biopsy is scheduled for next Wed. at 6 a.m. I think we're going to go down the night before. It takes me an hour and a half to get to Miami. I think it would be easier. That way we won't have to worry about traffic. Yea, traffic at 5 in the morning. Who am I kidding. Not even in Miami.OK, I'm scared. I didn't realize I would have to stay all night. My aunt just had a radical masectomy and they were going to do it out-patient. Sometimes I just don't understand.Debbie/FL

[Guest guest]

Debby,

Good look with your biopsy. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter and her

problems. I have a 24 year old who is now happily married however, I

remember those terrible breakups. You are right. Her heart is breaking

right now and I'm sure yours is too. Hang in there.

I hope all goes well with you family and the breast CA. This is a terrible

blow I'm sure.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

Sorry I think I spelled your name incorrectly. There are so many Debbie's

and Debby's I get your spelling's mixed up. I guess as Burt would call it I

had a " brain fart " . Good luck with your biopsy and ann your family issues.

[Guest guest]

> Debbie-

I am so sorry to hear about all you are struggling with. Please know that I am

thinking of you and your pain.

Love-

Scout

> From: " dfisher4140 " <dfisher4140@...>

> Date: 2002/04/23 Tue PM 03:37:56 EDT

>

> Subject: [ ] biopsy

>

> OK, so tomorrow's the day. I got hit this morning with a lot of

> stuff. My daughter (22yrs. old) called to tell me her boyfriend of 3

> 1/2 yrs. broke up with her and is now living with her " best " friend.

> All this happened over the weekend and she's a mess. I really think

> she thought they were going to get married. I thought they would too

> although it will be OK with me if they don't. He was always such a

> good guy. This has just blown me away. Never in a million years

> would I think he could do this. Her heart is broken and you know

> what that does to a mother's heart.

> Then I talked to my mom and my aunt who was just dx with breast

> cancer and had a radical masectomy last week found out yesterday that

> she has the aggressive kind of cancer. They've already found 2 more

> spots and they found it in 5 of her lymph nodes. She and I have just

> really developed a very cool relationship in the last 2 yrs. I'm so

> bummed. I can't believe it. She has been so healthy.

> Now I have to do this biopsy when I would rather be with my

> daughter. I know it will be fine but I can't help but be scared. I

> think I'm finally over the scare of the actual procedure. It's the

> results I'm afraid of.

> I need lots of prayers and hugs.

>

> Debbie/FL

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Debbie, I am so sorry for your daughter.

I know it hurts no matter the benefit, but better to find out now

what a putz he and the friend are than years down the line. No more

wasted time...

It's easier to tell someone else not to worry about results (biopsy)

that the sooner you know something the quicker you can treat it and

get well...I'm in the same boat as we speak. I frightened of my

results, to be learned any day now. Hang in there and try to keep

positive! We'll make it through.

Sincerely,

Rhonda

> OK, so tomorrow's the day. I got hit this morning with a lot of

> stuff. My daughter (22yrs. old) called to tell me her boyfriend

of 3

> 1/2 yrs. broke up with her and is now living with her " best "

friend.

> All this happened over the weekend and she's a mess. I really

think

> she thought they were going to get married. I thought they would

too

> although it will be OK with me if they don't. He was always such

a

> good guy. This has just blown me away. Never in a million years

> would I think he could do this. Her heart is broken and you know

> what that does to a mother's heart.

> Then I talked to my mom and my aunt who was just dx with breast

> cancer and had a radical masectomy last week found out yesterday

that

> she has the aggressive kind of cancer. They've already found 2

more

> spots and they found it in 5 of her lymph nodes. She and I have

just

> really developed a very cool relationship in the last 2 yrs. I'm

so

> bummed. I can't believe it. She has been so healthy.

> Now I have to do this biopsy when I would rather be with my

> daughter. I know it will be fine but I can't help but be scared.

I

> think I'm finally over the scare of the actual procedure. It's

the

> results I'm afraid of.

> I need lots of prayers and hugs.

>

> Debbie/FL

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

Sorry you have to deal with all of this right now. Nothing ever seems to be

easy. If you want to be the quintesential optimist (I know, I'm stretching

this one) your situation distracts your daughter and your mom & aunt, their

problems distract you so everyone is worried about someone else and you all

have support from each other. How's that for a perspective.

But seriously hang in there, it all works out even if it sucks along the

way. I'm sending you & you loved ones lots of good thoughts.

Patty

[ ] biopsy

OK, so tomorrow's the day. I got hit this morning with a lot of

stuff. My daughter (22yrs. old) called to tell me her boyfriend of 3

1/2 yrs. broke up with her and is now living with her " best " friend.

All this happened over the weekend and she's a mess. I really think

she thought they were going to get married. I thought they would too

although it will be OK with me if they don't. He was always such a

good guy. This has just blown me away. Never in a million years

would I think he could do this. Her heart is broken and you know

what that does to a mother's heart.

Then I talked to my mom and my aunt who was just dx with breast

cancer and had a radical masectomy last week found out yesterday that

she has the aggressive kind of cancer. They've already found 2 more

spots and they found it in 5 of her lymph nodes. She and I have just

really developed a very cool relationship in the last 2 yrs. I'm so

bummed. I can't believe it. She has been so healthy.

Now I have to do this biopsy when I would rather be with my

daughter. I know it will be fine but I can't help but be scared. I

think I'm finally over the scare of the actual procedure. It's the

results I'm afraid of.

I need lots of prayers and hugs.

Debbie/FL

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

Thanks so much for support. I'm keeping you in my prayers and I hope

you find out the results soon. The waiting is, sometimes, the

hardest.

Debbie/FL

> > OK, so tomorrow's the day. I got hit this morning with a lot of

> > stuff. My daughter (22yrs. old) called to tell me her boyfriend

> of 3

> > 1/2 yrs. broke up with her and is now living with her " best "

> friend.

> > All this happened over the weekend and she's a mess. I really

> think

> > she thought they were going to get married. I thought they would

> too

> > although it will be OK with me if they don't. He was always such

> a

> > good guy. This has just blown me away. Never in a million years

> > would I think he could do this. Her heart is broken and you know

> > what that does to a mother's heart.

> > Then I talked to my mom and my aunt who was just dx with breast

> > cancer and had a radical masectomy last week found out yesterday

> that

> > she has the aggressive kind of cancer. They've already found 2

> more

> > spots and they found it in 5 of her lymph nodes. She and I have

> just

> > really developed a very cool relationship in the last 2 yrs. I'm

> so

> > bummed. I can't believe it. She has been so healthy.

> > Now I have to do this biopsy when I would rather be with my

> > daughter. I know it will be fine but I can't help but be

scared.

> I

> > think I'm finally over the scare of the actual procedure. It's

> the

> > results I'm afraid of.

> > I need lots of prayers and hugs.

> >

> > Debbie/FL

[Guest guest]

Gosh Debbie! You are going through a lot. Just remember that your daughter will make it through this. I too thought my daughter was going to get married to one of her beaus. "Fortunately" they broke up, and now she is really going to marry a wonderful man! The wedding is August 10th.

Is your aunt going to have chemo? If so, just support her. She will make it. What kind of BC is it? If you are interested, I subscribe to a BC group. I was a part of it when my mom developed cancer. They have been such a help to me...lots of information too.

Just keep thinking good things tomorrow. We are all rooting for you!

debby

[ ] biopsy

OK, so tomorrow's the day. I got hit this morning with a lot of stuff. My daughter (22yrs. old) called to tell me her boyfriend of 3 1/2 yrs. broke up with her and is now living with her "best" friend. All this happened over the weekend and she's a mess. I really think she thought they were going to get married. I thought they would too although it will be OK with me if they don't. He was always such a good guy. This has just blown me away. Never in a million years would I think he could do this. Her heart is broken and you know what that does to a mother's heart.Then I talked to my mom and my aunt who was just dx with breast cancer and had a radical masectomy last week found out yesterday that she has the aggressive kind of cancer. They've already found 2 more spots and they found it in 5 of her lymph nodes. She and I have just really developed a very cool relationship in the last 2 yrs. I'm so bummed. I can't believe it. She has been so healthy.Now I have to do this biopsy when I would rather be with my daughter. I know it will be fine but I can't help but be scared. I think I'm finally over the scare of the actual procedure. It's the results I'm afraid of.I need lots of prayers and hugs.Debbie/FL

[Guest guest]

I know just were you are coming from regarding your daughter the same thing happened with us last year but she got over it and went out and came back with someone else who she loves to death and they are getting married in 2 years time and he is a lovely chap. I was so sorry to hear about your aunt you must be devastated. I am sending you lots of hugs love and prayers. Jeanette UK AIH dx 1998 Cirrhosis dx 2001

dfisher4140 <dfisher4140@...> wrote: OK, so tomorrow's the day. I got hit this morning with a lot of stuff. My daughter (22yrs. old) called to tell me her boyfriend of 3 1/2 yrs. broke up with her and is now living with her "best" friend. All this happened over the weekend and she's a mess. I really think she thought they were going to get married. I thought they would too although it will be OK with me if they don't. He was always such a good guy. This has just blown me away. Never in a million years would I think he could do this. Her heart is broken and you know what that does to a mother's heart.Then I talked to my mom and my aunt who was just dx with breast cancer and had a radical masectomy last week found out yesterday that she has the aggressive kind of cancer. They've already found 2 more spots and they found it in 5 of her lymph nodes. She and I have just really developed a very cool relationship in the last 2 yrs. I'm so bummed. I can't believe it. She has been so healthy.Now I have to do this biopsy when I would rather be with my daughter. I know it will be fine but I can't help but be scared. I think I'm finally over the scare of the actual procedure. It's the results I'm afraid of.I need lots of prayers and hugs.Debbie/FL

[Guest guest]

Debby,

Thanks for the support. My aunt has the aggressive form of cancer.

It was also in 5 lymph nodes. She is going to have chemo but right

now they're running some test to decide exactly what they want her to

do. Can you give me more infomation on the BC group? I think she

may like that.

My daughter is really holding up good. She amazes me. I really

think that she's relieved. I know I am. I just hate to see her

hurting. It's too cool to see her taking care of herself. She's a

great kid. I get so much strength from her. Always have. She's my

miracle.

Debbie/FL

> Gosh Debbie! You are going through a lot. Just remember that your

daughter will make it through this. I too thought my daughter was

going to get married to one of her beaus. " Fortunately " they broke

up, and now she is really going to marry a wonderful man! The

wedding is August 10th.

>

> Is your aunt going to have chemo? If so, just support her. She

will make it. What kind of BC is it? If you are interested, I

subscribe to a BC group. I was a part of it when my mom

developed cancer. They have been such a help to me...lots of

information too.

>

> Just keep thinking good things tomorrow. We are all rooting for

you!

>

> debby

> [ ] biopsy

>

>

> OK, so tomorrow's the day. I got hit this morning with a lot of

> stuff. My daughter (22yrs. old) called to tell me her boyfriend

of 3

> 1/2 yrs. broke up with her and is now living with her " best "

friend.

> All this happened over the weekend and she's a mess. I really

think

> she thought they were going to get married. I thought they would

too

> although it will be OK with me if they don't. He was always such

a

> good guy. This has just blown me away. Never in a million years

> would I think he could do this. Her heart is broken and you know

> what that does to a mother's heart.

> Then I talked to my mom and my aunt who was just dx with breast

> cancer and had a radical masectomy last week found out yesterday

that

> she has the aggressive kind of cancer. They've already found 2

more

> spots and they found it in 5 of her lymph nodes. She and I have

just

> really developed a very cool relationship in the last 2 yrs. I'm

so

> bummed. I can't believe it. She has been so healthy.

> Now I have to do this biopsy when I would rather be with my

> daughter. I know it will be fine but I can't help but be

scared. I

> think I'm finally over the scare of the actual procedure. It's

the

> results I'm afraid of.

> I need lots of prayers and hugs.

>

> Debbie/FL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Debbie/FL....My mom had Inflammatory Breast Cancer, one of the rapid acting cancers. Truly it was, for we were told that once it took over, it would be a very short time that we knew she would be living. It was....two weeks after the cancer took over, Mom was gone. Now, the cancer HAD already metastatised to some degree, but once it entered her major organs, stomach, intestines, and we believe her brain, she went downhill very very quickly.

When I look back, she was really getting sick in December. Of course, we all thought it was because my stepfather had just died and that she just needed some rest. Then around Christmas, she started getting really ill. From Jan 7 until she died March 3, she was in the hospital a total of 43 days off and on. But the last two weeks was when we knew that she was not going to be long. We thought maybe we had a few months, and the doctor told us we might get 6 months to 1 year with. But it was aggressive.

I do hope your aunt will be able to have hers go into remission. We were so happy when Mom's went into remission. She should have died within one year of getting her dx, but she lived - well, 3 3/4 years after. That is good for IBC.

The address to join the BC group is at .... BreastCancer-StageIV

I feel very certain that she will gets lots of information at this site!

Good luck!!!!

debby

[ ] biopsy> > > OK, so tomorrow's the day. I got hit this morning with a lot of > stuff. My daughter (22yrs. old) called to tell me her boyfriend of 3 > 1/2 yrs. broke up with her and is now living with her "best" friend. > All this happened over the weekend and she's a mess. I really think > she thought they were going to get married. I thought they would too > although it will be OK with me if they don't. He was always such a > good guy. This has just blown me away. Never in a million years > would I think he could do this. Her heart is broken and you know > what that does to a mother's heart.> Then I talked to my mom and my aunt who was just dx with breast > cancer and had a radical masectomy last week found out yesterday that > she has the aggressive kind of cancer. They've already found 2 more > spots and they found it in 5 of her lymph nodes. She and I have just > really developed a very cool relationship in the last 2 yrs. I'm so > bummed. I can't believe it. She has been so healthy.> Now I have to do this biopsy when I would rather be with my > daughter. I know it will be fine but I can't help but be scared. I > think I'm finally over the scare of the actual procedure. It's the > results I'm afraid of.> I need lots of prayers and hugs.> > Debbie/FL> > >

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

They did mine and did an ultrasound to mark the position for insertion of the

biopsy forcep. They did 2 punches because he was not sure he got enough the

first time and wanted to make sure I didn't have to go through the procedure

twice. I was heavily sedated and do not remember a thing other than needing

to be still for several hours after and close monitoring before they would

let me go home. I think I was there for a total of 8 hours and went home

that night around 8:00.

[Guest guest]

> sorry i can't remember who wrote about it, but is there a way for

> doctors to get the site correct the first time? i'm due for another

> one in june. i had one in nov and it took three passes for them

to

> get it right. kathy

Kathy,

You might request that the biopsy be CT-guided. I had a

ultrasound located one first where they could not get sufficient

tissue. My second one was CT-guided, and it was a breeze.

[Guest guest]

Kathy, I am a new subscriber from North Carolina. My first biopsy in 2000

was horrible and I had lots of complications. Mine was done by my

gastroenterologist whom I think is a great doc. However, I believe my liver

was so inflammed that it was difficult plus the fact that I had a bile duct

bleed from the procedure. I still have the same gastroenterologist and

really like him. However, he referred me to a hepatologist at Duke

University and I see him approximately every 3 mos. He is great. I had my

last liver biopsy in Jan. 2002. He did the procedure differently. He went

through my carotid artery in my neck and ran the catheter down to the liver

and did the biopsy. No problems were encountered and I did great. Couldn't

tell anything had been done. I believe they call it the transjugular

procedure. You might ask your doc about it. I am 55 and have been

diagnosed with AIH since Sept. 2000. B. in North Carolina

[ ] biopsy

> sorry i can't remember who wrote about it, but is there a way for

> doctors to get the site correct the first time? i'm due for another

> one in june. i had one in nov and it took three passes for them to

> get it right. kathy

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My first biopsy done years ago was done by the doctor

tapping out my liver etc and assessing the spot --

scary stuff. I was given local but still not nice.

My most recent was ultrasound assisted and a breeze

---local anaesthetic ( being a bigger person I

insisted they take that into account as I have had bad

experiences with local) ---mind you I did know the

people who were doing the job and we did a lot of

chatting ( no laughing though as I had to keep still

and not stuff up the procedure). Caroline NZ

--- pinnut32000 <pinnut32000@...> wrote:

>

> > sorry i can't remember who wrote about it, but is

> there a way for

> > doctors to get the site correct the first time?

> i'm due for another

> > one in june. i had one in nov and it took three

> passes for them

> to

> > get it right. kathy

>

>

> Kathy,

>

> You might request that the biopsy be CT-guided. I

> had a

> ultrasound located one first where they could not

> get sufficient

> tissue. My second one was CT-guided, and it was a

> breeze.

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

> > sorry i can't remember who wrote about it, but is there a way for

> > doctors to get the site correct the first time? i'm due for

another

> > one in june. i had one in nov and it took three passes for them

> to

> > get it right. kathy

>

>

Hi Kathy,

I've had one biposy in August 2000, It went fine.

My doc used ultrasound to make sure my liver was where it was

supposed to be! All I had was local anasthetic. One punch of the

needle thing and was all over. My mums biopsy was the same. I only

had the pain afterwards.

I guess it depends on who is doing the biopsy.. maybe ask for a

senior consultant or someone who has a lot of experience?

Good Luck with it, my thoughts are with you, I think the best thing

is not to worry! Easier said than done I know...

Best wishes

( Age 22 London UK)

[Guest guest]

Judith,

I think your message re: Neotech was sent to me in error. Just to let you

know, so that you can send it to the correct e-mail.

Brigan

[Guest guest]

Judith,

I think your message re: Neotech was sent to me in error. Just to let you

know, so that you can send it to the correct e-mail.

Brigan

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/16/02 1:32:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time, writes:

Hello!

I could use some words of advise from anyone who cares to share their experiences with thier liver biopsys. My first one is scheduled for tomorrow and I am totally freaking out!! My doctor prescribed Valuim for me to take all day today and for me to take one before the precedure.....but it has not calmed down my nerves completly. How bad does it hurt when they are doing it? Do you feel the needle going all the way in? I know that they are doing a local....but those things don't always work as well as they should and I am worried about feeling the whole thing. I hate needles!!

My GI has told me that I either have AIH or a fatty liver and she needs this to diagnos it for sure. Well....Thanks for letting me get this off of my chest. And a thanks in advance for anyone that shares insight into thier experiences as it will be greatly appreciated!!

Gayla in IL

Gayla, most people find the biopsy itself to be only mildly uncomfortable. The procedure is very, very quick. I felt less than I would with a flu shot. I say MOST people don't have a problem; some few find it highly unpleasant or worse. Those cases are the exceptions, however. It depends on your body, your doctor's skill, and luck. My doctor said that if you can relax, you are more likely to have a good result, as the muscles aren't tensed against the needle.

The worst part by far, for me at least, is lying still for some hours afterward. Take a book, use the bathroom beforehand, and arrange for someone to drive you home. Plan on being quiet for a day or so afterwards to minimize the possibility of internal bleeding. For that time, I was told not drive, and I read that one should stay within an hour of a hospital, just in case. I felt a little sore the next day, but nothing worse. Some people feel quite severely achey for a couple of days.

Best wishes.

Harper