's Blogs

I had to have a liver biopsy this morning. I had to be at the hospital at six and the biopsy at seven. 

So I get to the hospital and they have me change into one of those stupid hospital gowns. I was allowed to keep my boxers on so it wasn't so bad. Then comes the IV ... I don't care much for needles - especially when they want to shove them into the top of my hand. The nurse had trouble with my vein ... she said I must be dehydrated. I said maybe that's because I wasn't allowed to drink anything for the last eight hours (and coming up on 9). I was really getting cranky because I hadn't eaten for eight hours and I had a slight headache. Plus I was nervous and scared. 

She told me that the doctor ordered Demerol and something else that I can't remember and that she was injecting those right now. She promised that when that cocktail "kicks in" that I won't care what they do to me. Cool

I'm laying there and my step-mom, Marlene, is rattling on about stuff. I asked her if she could be quiet and watch the tv. She said she goes on like that when she's nervous as she sits there eating a Lance cracker and drinking a coffee. I rolled my eyes! Jeez!

Soon they were wheeling me into a Procedure Room. Inside there must have been 12 white coats to greet me, the only familiar face was my doctors. He was quick to find out if it was OK with me if some medical students looked on. I told him it would be OK but that I didn't want any pictures taken. He chuckled and then told me (or the group) that I didn't appear too sedated. He told me that it won't hurt - that it would be over in a few minutes. Then he cautioned me not to move while he was working. 

He said he was going to inject lidocaine to numb the skin. If you have never been injected with lidocaine it burns like hell! It wasn't just the one injection either - there were multiple injections. After the first four that area was pretty numb but every so often it would burn. When he's done injecting he turns to talk with the students for about 5 minutes. He turns his attention back to me asking how I felt? If I felt numb - he began pricking me with a needle or something sharp. Good my whole side seemed numb. 

He was doing stuff down there - I could feel pressure but no pain. Then it felt like he was sucking my insides out. I think he took a few samples...it felt like it.  And then it was over.

I'm sure that biopsy didn't hurt as much as having my finger cut off or a white, hot poker jabbed into my eye.  But I hope it's a long time before I have to have that done again. 

I forgot to mention that I have a genetic blood disorder called Juvenile hemochromatosis or iron overload.  If you want you can read about it here ... http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemochromatosis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20167290

If you want to see how the biopsy was done watch this ....