Staging

The next step after diagnosis was "staging," which was a series of tests to determine how advanced my cancer was and what areas of my body were affected. Because lymphoma is a blood cancer, Dr. Forero had cautioned me that it is often found in multiples areas.

So, first up was a CT scan with contrast dye, where they made me drink 2 cupfuls of awful yellow liquid and then be scanned in the donut. Then came the PET scan, which involved receiving an IV of something nuclear which was administered in a metal syringe and then being moved in and out of a long tube similar to an MRI. Next up was the lung function testing and an EKG of my heart to make sure I could withstand the chemo itself.

Finally, the dreaded bone marrow biopsy. Let me say first that I was terrified about this procedure based on what I'd read in other blogs. I took two Ativan pills, prescribed by my oncologist for this purpose, right before the biopsy, but that was my only sedation. I also had my Ipod handy so I could listen to music and drown out the sounds of what was being done to me.  And, my husband sat at the end of the table by my head and let me squeeze his hand during the most painful part. That's how I got through it.

So here's how it works... I had to lie face-down on a regular exam table while the physician's assistant and the bone marrow tech prepped the site. Then they began numbing the site with Lidocaine and went to work.  My husband said it looked like they inserted a tube in my lower back, right above the buttocks, and kept putting different instruments through the tube.  All I know is, they cannot deaden inside the bone itself. So, when it comes time to pull out the bone marrow, YOU FEEL IT.

As the PA said, it feels like you are being kicked in the back by a horse. It is a very sharp, quick pain. But the good news was that it only lasted several seconds. So, I breathed deeply and I squeezed my husband's hand and I got through it. And then they had to repeat that two more times. Luckily, my doctor only required samples from one side of my hipbone.

Then they used what felt like a hammer and chisel to chip away a small piece of the bone itself. This didn't hurt so much as feel like pressure. Knowing what they were doing was slightly disconcerting though. My husband later said that he was glad I was listening to some relaxing Michael Buble during that moment. He said there was an audible crunch sounding.

All in all, the entire biopsy involved about ten to fifteen seconds of pain, which is why they don't sedate you. The cost and time and liability of anesthesia is not worth it when compared to how quickly the procedure is over.

One Hodgkins survivor that I talked to said that she thought the staging was the worst part of her entire cancer ordeal. I can certainly see how that would be true. Not knowing what to expect from each test and being stuck with needles several times made the whole process somewhat unpleasant, not to mention the bone marrow biopsy. So, if what she said holds true, then the worst is behind me.

And I can handle whatever lies ahead.