TOPS in Kingwood

Dr. W has gotten my appointment for the next day at TOPS Kingwood Breast Care Center. Brand new facility, still working on the place. I came into school on Wed afternoon to get a sub for the next day and explain, Oh, guess what? I DIDN'T have the biopsy today, just the consultation!! grrr BUT, I will get it tomorrow in Kingwood. So they get me set up with the sub to come back in a second day. (I just DO NOT miss school!!!)

Next day, Thurs., Jan 25, go to Kingwood and after a short wait I get sent to the back to a room. Gosh, even the sinks in the bathroom are awesome!! We've just moved into a new home and have done a lot of redecorating, so the bathroom was of particular interest! Man, the things that go through your mind when you don't want to be there in the first place!!

The nurse explains what will happen. She'll do an ultrasound and check out what's going on. Then Dr. B will come in and do the core biopsy. She says she's had it done and was not painful and did great!! So, I'm feeling good...bring it on!

She's taking a lot of ultrasound pictures on different areas, no big deal. I know from my FIRST u/s in Livingston Hospital that I have a lump at "10:00" on the left breast. OK, so it must look really good cause she's taking plenty of pictures of it!

Dr. B comes in and introduces himself. The nurse shows him what she has so far and the doctor takes over the u/s wand. They talk and discuss and I just listen. Now, I'm hearing about 11:00, 1:00, 12:00, plus 10:00. Ummm, I finally say... Um, excuse me...I know about 10:00, I DON'T know about the others!!! Turns out there are 5 lumps! Well, isn't that nice? :oh

Dr. B says hold on a second, let them finish, and he'll explain everything we need to know. He finishes and starts talking about options. First, he says, you're probably thinking, I've got 5 spots, am I about to get 5 biopsies!! YES, they did rather run through my head, yes.

He says what he'd like to do is biopsy the original lump and then the one one the opposite side (still left breast). If they both come back good: GOOD! If one comes back good and the other bad: we'll biopsy the rest. If they both come back bad: talk with your doctor about options.

The core biopsy is a trigger gun needle. He numbs the area completely then does a 1,2,3 count, you'll hear a click, then 2 clicks and it's over. Nothing will hurt, you'll only feel pressure because you're completely numb. First one: YEEEOOOWWWW, tears running over, I'm not moving, only weeping greatly!! "Did that hurt? Is it still hurting?" I just nod my head yes. They can't understand...this does NOT happen. But we're going to try again...they add more numbing before going on. Countdown, click, 2 clicks: tears, it hurts sooo bad!! They are so apologetic and are astounded. There is an ultrasound wand there at entry, so they know exactly where they numbed and everything!

He says Is it possible to do a third pass? I say, Wait! I thought we were only doing two lumps!! He says, We're still on the first one! I cry. He lets me know that he wants to send in all he can to pathology to be as accurate as he can. (in hindsight, he must have known more than I realized for him to pursue it like he did)

My body is just a shaking. I say yes, let's do it. While I am laying there I start praying "My Jesus took more than this for me...he took so much more than this for me" over and over again. Countdown, click, two clicks and I thankfully announce YES THAT WAS A GOOD ONE!!! happy crying this time! Then he moves to the other lump he is going to biopsy. Both triggers are great!! He continues that they should have ALL been just like that, and just kept apologizing.

Then he talks about what will come next. Perhaps the doctor will want to do a masectomy or lumpectomy if it comes back bad. I just look at him..... cause I have NO history of breast cancer! He adds that OF COURSE he is just a doctor and NOT a microscope and only the microscope will give any answers. They pack me well with ice packs in my bra and send me home. I do ask about the next day which was Friday if I should go to school. She asked what grade: second. Absolutely not!! I might get bumped and it would be painful and might bleed internally. So I call in to school and they are so accommodating!! Awesome family there at school! Other teachers get me set up there, don't worry about a thing, no big deal. I stay home in bed the rest of the day and most of the next with ice packs. By Monday, I'm up and kinda running! The lab result will take about 3 days to come back and will be sent to the original Dr. B, my family doctor in Livingston. So, now we wait.