Biopsy

The same physician who conducted my ultrasound also performed my biopsy.  I was relieved because my first impression of her was that she was the smartest person I had ever met, and that she would get to the bottom of it.  When I told her that my gynecologist had given me a supplement to help clear up my breast tissue (thinking it was fibrous tissue), she openly sneered.  She asked me if I had early onset of menstruation (yes), how old I was at my first pregnancy (over 30), and how much I drink (maybe 1 drink per month?).  I later learned these are all risk factors for my (eventual) diagnosis.

The doctor took 7 biopsy sites from my left breast, and a small titanium clip had to be inserted in each site.  She let a resident try one of them and there was some "kickback" from the procedure.  After that I asked for a cool washcloth for my forehead but otherwise was okay.  She told me she was going to put a rush on the labs and that I might have results by early the following week.  I did not expect that I would have to have *another* mammogram afterward to make sure all the clips were in place.  The nurse asked me if anyone was waiting for me and I said no, nobody told me I would need anyone to drive me.  She said, "You seem like someone who would want to do this alone," and I agreed that it would have stressed me out more if someone had been waiting for me.  In any case, I took the bus to the park and ride and drove myself home with no difficulty.

The biopsies caused multiple bruises to emerge over the next few days.