# Stereotactic breast biopsy Friday-- anticipation is freaking me out **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 17, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919 "2015-02-17T16:22:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/21 "2015-02-18T12:12:13Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m afraid to ask what the kinkiest one was… _don’t tell me_. :eek: It was an MRI scan. **Susan** alludes to it above. Not painful. I think it was in the month between the 2 biopsies, when the doctor was deciding whether or not I should have the second one. I’d had MRIs before when I’d bumped my head. When they do your breasts, they want to protect the rest of your torso, so when you go through the scanner, you lie face down on this molded breast-plate with two holes cut out for your breasts to drop straight through and dangle free. While I was positioning myself, all I could think was “There are fetish-wear people out there who would love to get their hands on this thing.” ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/22 "2015-02-18T12:40:14Z")
:eek: You could probably pay for the procedure by taking pictures and selling them on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![SalGal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/db5fbb/32.png) [@SalGal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SalGal)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/23 "2015-02-18T15:21:51Z")
Not much to add except to agree with those that have had it. . . it’s not awful, it’s just so bizarre. The sounds, the position, all of it. I, too had a lovely volunteer lady hold my hand and talk to me throughout. The hardest part is NOT MOVING once they’ve positioned you and taken the initial images. Moving means they might hit the wrong place. You’ll be fine, and hopefully the results will be too! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/24 "2015-02-18T19:26:40Z")
> [@MrsTime](#): > > Ah yes the old boob smashing nipple popper! I suggested my Dr should get his testicles tested for cancer with a mammogram, he did have the decency to turn deathly white and wince. A while back, a man I worked with was going to take advantage of a local program that was offering free prostate cancer screenings for men over 50, which involved a blood draw and a digital rectal exam (i.e. the doctor is going to stick a finger up your butt :p). We joked that he was going to have a Man-O-Gram. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/25 "2015-02-20T04:27:39Z")
If anyone runs out of things to do at 8 am Central time tomorrow, I invite you to send supportive (as it were) thoughts to my left boob. Picture it happy, healthy, frolicking in the park, floating in a swimming pool, going to the movies, being fitted for a pretty bra, and doing the fun things that boobs enjoy. Even if it doesn’t help me, it will be fun for you, and imagining it will distract me and my boob while we’re having needles stuck in us. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/26 "2015-02-20T05:01:07Z")
I will. Try to get some sleep, and the biopsy will be done soon. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/27 "2015-02-20T11:51:49Z")
You’re probably on your way now or getting ready to go, but I’m sending happy thoughts and good luck wishes to you. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/28 "2015-02-20T16:54:26Z")
Thank you all for those happy boob thoughts. It’s over and I’m back home. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. It’s just such a grotesque posture. My arm started aching from being in a crooked position and I couldn’t move. But all in all, it was okay. The female technician did plenty of explaining, and the doctor was a peppy, cheery, informative person, too. Even the lidocaine shot was no big deal. I’ve never been a wimp about needles and don’t even mind getting an i.v. I’m still in no pain, but one of the women there said to take some ibuprofen as soon as I got home (and I just did) because it will start hurting when the local wears off. The tech showed me the films of what they took out and the cells in question aren’t any bigger than a poppy seed! With digital imaging they can really see some serious detail. I’ll go back next week for the results. The doctor said they have everyone come in person for the results whether they’re negative or positive, that way the patients who are told to come in don’t freak out-- EVERYONE comes in. Thanks so much for the crowd-sourced support! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/29 "2015-02-20T17:04:52Z")
I’ve been keeping an eye on this thread on and off all morning. Glad to hear the procedure went okay. Didn’t they give you some tiny cold-pads to tuck inside your bra? I still have a couple of them sitting in my freezer leftover from the last time. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/30 "2015-02-20T17:20:24Z")
I’m sure glad things weren’t so bad for you. Keep us posted on the results. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/31 "2015-02-20T17:45:50Z")
> [@Miss\_Mapp](#): > > I’ve been keeping an eye on this thread on and off all morning. Glad to hear the procedure went okay. > > Didn’t they give you some tiny cold-pads to tuck inside your bra? I still have a couple of them sitting in my freezer leftover from the last time. Nope, and I asked about that. She said I prolly wouldn’t need even that. I dunno. \ ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/32 "2015-02-20T17:51:02Z")
I’m still icing a number of weeks after a stereotactic, though YMMV. I was not allowed NSAIDs. Keep an ice pad handy, and with luck you won’t need it. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/33 "2015-02-20T22:13:47Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > … I’ll go back next week for the results. The doctor said they have everyone come in person for the results whether they’re negative or positive, that way the patients who are told to come in don’t freak out-- EVERYONE comes in. … That’s genius. I’d vote to keep this doctor just on that basis alone. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/34 "2015-02-20T23:15:02Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I’m still icing a number of weeks after a stereotactic, though YMMV. I was not allowed NSAIDs. Keep an ice pad handy, and with luck you won’t need it. No one gave me any ice pads. I’m still not feeling any pain. They said I didn’t bleed at all. I told them I’m a good clotter. Everyone is good at something-- singing, cooking, playing the piano-- I’m good at clotting. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/35 "2015-02-21T02:18:07Z")
_Best wishes for you both_ (let us know when you can… no pressure) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/36 "2015-02-22T03:11:28Z")
It went well? Good. Now I can make a joke. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Are there any male diagnostic tests that require the testicles to be squeezed between two plates of glass or dangled through a hole in a table? Just curious. Yes, but they cost extra. Keep us posted. All of you. I like you ladies and I worry. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/37 "2015-02-22T19:30:40Z")
> [@](#): > > No pressure. A ha, ha, ha. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/38 "2015-02-22T19:44:12Z")
> [@susan](#): > > A ha, ha, ha. 🙂 …they say laughter is the best medicine… (…and that running is good for my health… 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/39 "2015-02-23T12:57:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > No one gave me any ice pads. I’m still not feeling any pain. They said I didn’t bleed at all. I told them I’m a good clotter. Everyone is good at something-- singing, cooking, playing the piano-- I’m good at clotting. I’m glad for the positive outcome for you from that day. A long-term friend, dearly loved, just had one breast taken care of, and now there are “suspicious” cells in the other. One bit of good news is that she has a tremendously positive attitude going for her. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919/40 "2015-02-23T13:32:41Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’ll go back next week for the results. The doctor said they have everyone come in person for the results whether they’re negative or positive, that way the patients who are told to come in don’t freak out-- EVERYONE comes in. The cynical physician in me says that way the doctor also collects for an extra visit which is unneeded in the case of a negative biopsy, and skips the “bother” of a phone call to the patient. Most small breast biopsies on a Friday will be completed ('signed out") by the pathologist on the following Monday, so unless there are additional studies or second opinions required, the referring physician’s office should be able to call the patient with results a day later (Tuesday). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-friday-anticipation-is-freaking-me-out/712919.md?page=3)