Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

woodsprite

(11,913 posts)
Fri Apr 2, 2021, 09:37 AM Apr 2021

Have a biopsy of scheduled for April 8. I've nicknamed it "the thing"

since no one has taken ownership of it yet. They said it's in my recto-vaginal septum area. I had a higher level CT scan 2 nights ago of my entire urinary tract (due to the kidney stones and microscopic blood in the urine culture). It was higher def with contrast rather than the no-contrast one that detected the mass back on March 12. Not sure if it has changed size or not. Now I'll be having a CT guided needle biopsy. Not sure how they're going to go in. I would expect through the vagina, not the rectum or from external, but not sure. I know that they said to plan for 5 hrs at the hospital and the person who did scheduling did not think they do anesthesia for this procedure. Scared, because this is the real deal since this is of the actual mass, not surrounding tissue. The biopsies of the colon came back negative. I go back in 3 yrs because he did remove a couple of small polyps. My gyno guy said he could feel the mass but it wasn't part of the vaginal wall. He is the one who scheduled with Interventional Radiology for the biopsy. I guess since he had diagnosed/treated my previous endometrial cancer.

Wondering how many CT scans are too many in such a short period... Can't do anything else since we need to know what it is so I can get it out of me. I think it's starting to bother me more, but not really sure since the kidney stones are sitting in there as well. The discomfort is like a mix between cramps and kidney stone pain and is (so far) responding to regular doses of Tylenol or Motrin.

Also, with all this going on, I'm certainly not looking forward to my 2nd Pfizer shot on the 22nd, but all drs. agreed that I should start the process. My first shot was yesterday.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

ratchiweenie

(7,754 posts)
3. How awful. Hope it all turns out well but I agree with the other DUers, at least getting the
Fri Apr 2, 2021, 10:27 AM
Apr 2021

vaccination will relieve some of the incredible stress you are going through. Let us know how it turns out.

p.s., At least the shot it entirely painless. I'm one of those people who hates injections and this is an absolute breeze.

woodsprite

(11,913 posts)
4. I didn't even really feel it other than a tiny sting.
Fri Apr 2, 2021, 10:55 AM
Apr 2021

My son had to be stuck twice because with the first one the autoinjector retracted the needle before delivering the full dose. Makes me wonder how much vaccine is lost to such issues. I watched him closely last night for any reactions since he got a bit more than a normal dose.

woodsprite

(11,913 posts)
6. Back and resting from the biopsy.
Fri Apr 9, 2021, 03:00 PM
Apr 2021

My gastro doc called the radiologist the night before the procedure to talk with him, then he called me yesterday morning before the procedure. They were not set up to a do a transvaginal approach so they went through my back. They gave me just enough Versed/Fentanyl so I was relaxed and didn't feel anything, but was still able to move as needed and converse with them (and remember what was said). The actual procedure only lasted 45 min, but with the prep and recovery, I really was in there 5 hours.

They ordered a few additional tests that I hadn't heard of before:

AFB Culture (sounds like it's a tuberculosis test)
Fungus Culture
Miscellaneous Culture, aerobic and anaerobic includes gram

I'm supposed to get the results in about 5 days. Not looking forward to it, but know I have to face whatever it is.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Cancer Support»Have a biopsy of schedule...