Bone Marrow Biopsy

I had a bone marrow biopsy yesterday.  It was supposed to be tomorrow, but it got moved up a few days so they can try to get me admitted on the 25th to start the trial.

I hung out for a while afterwards to talk to the lab folks, and they answered all of my questions about the processes involved in getting the samples to the labs. This photo is a picture of a piece of the bone they removed.

If you’ve had one of these procedures, you know that the provider (that’s what they call doctors, NPs, & PAs now) withdraws some of the liquid from the bone and also take a sample of the bone itself. The part of the procedure that’s most uncomfortable for me is when they aspirate the liquid part of the marrow.  It produces a sharp pain the goes all the way to my feet. It’s over in an instant.

Mayo Clinic has a good reference here: Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration – Mayo Clinic.

My provider did a terrific job, and I think I have to say that it was the best bmb ever!  I am definitely going to leave a good review on Yelp.  Now there are two people I know I can ask for, and I know the pain will be insignificant and it will be done quickly. I just love it when it turns out that way.

Before I begin the procedure, I ask for Ativan, by the way. I get 2 mg in my port, and I’m good to go. I shouldn’t say this out loud, but I kind of wish I could have Ativan a lot more often!

In a previous post, I included a picture I took of the biopsy needle.  That was from 2005, so there’s definitely been some improvement in the devices they use. Some of the providers use an electric drill. I’ll try to get a picture.  I’ve only had a drill used once.

The bmb was the last thing I had to do to get qualified for the trial. Now I just need to wait for the full test results to be reviewed by the drug company. More to come soon.