8/18 Bone Marrow Biopsy

Today i got a bone marrow biopsy to determine if my cancer has sread beyond Stage II to Stage IV. This, i will not lie, has been one of the most painful exeriences of my life.

During the process they numb the area, usually done in the back of the hips, with lidocane. This is quite uncomfortable becuase hey have inject it into different layers all the way to the bone.

Once this is done a rather thick large needle is placed into the bone. The worst feeling is when the doctor twists the needle into the bone. It causes large discomfort which feels like when you land on your but really hard and get a shock from the nerves, only 10x worse.

Once the needle ahs hit the bone they pull a piece of the bone out for a sapmle and insert a syringe. This is were the pain becomes the worst thing ever.

When they suck the marrow out it feels like a vacum sucking something out of your leg bones but the pain is very intense. it only lasts about 5- 10 seconds but its enough to make your tear up pretty bad.

But then its over. Luckily its the only time you have to do it. Hopefully. Its not the best experience. I’m absolutley terrified of needles but i had family some with me which helped tremendously. I strongly suggest having some one there who can help you through it. Even though its painful, i had to get it done becuase Hodgkin’s can move into the bone marrow and if so things would be worse for me, so its better safe than sorry.