Bone biopsy video

I deliberated for a while on whether to post this or not.  First, the view isn't that good and second I hated the audio.  But what the heck.  I've done a voice over and hey presto.  Stay well:)

It keeps rolling on...

After I had my biopsy I actually felt quite tense, a little anxious and a little flustered.  I thought that going back to the hotel would not be the smartest idea as sitting down and doing nothing would merely intensify my negative emotions as I would have plenty of time to ponder the procedure.  Instead I decided to distract myself by ascending the Sears Tower (ST).  Sorry, the Willis Tower.  Oh who cares, whatever it's called if you take my advice you'll go no where near it.

Yes, I was severely disappointed.  If you visit Chitown and have a hankering to scale a tall building may I suggest the John Hancock building (JH).  I will elaborate:-

1. The only win for ST is it's higher.
2. Elevators. JH has the fastest lifts in the northern hemisphere.  The express elevators in the ST were broken.  The trip to the top was three lifts.  If felt like someone promising you a ride in an Astin Martin DB9 and then turning up in a Toyota Kluger.
3. The view is better from the JH.  It is on the peripheral of the city so you can see the whole city, it is also closer to the water so you get better lake views too.
4. JH has a coffee shop and bar at the top.  ST does not.
5. JH had better off window displays.
6. JH had an informative and interesting audio tour even if it was by David Schwimmer.  ST did not.
7. ST did have the glass floor experience, but the JH had an outside area so you could really experience the height of the tower.

Now my experience may have been skewed because I had only two hours before had a stick in my arse.  But even in hindsight, the JH was way better.  After I finally descended the structure I sat down for a well earned coffee before I caught up with friends where we had dinner at the Bedford Bar, which was very nice.  Then we went and watched some country and western music.  Normally I am not a fan of C and W, but here they just do it so much better.  The musicians were extremely talented.

On another note, I got the results of my bone marrow test and they were all good, so I don't have cancer and I am all go for next tuesday.  Next time I will post my pictures atop the ST, until then, stay well:)

Biopsy

I tried to take video of my biopsy, but it didn't come out right so you're just going to have to take my written summation of events.  As with most medical procedures I have I like to do my research before I go in.  This time, I wished I hadn't.  I decided to watch the procedure on youtube the night before which was a mistake as it meant I got a first hand glimpse of the terrifyingly large needle they used to take the biopsy and also the patient that they videoed did an awful lot of whining.  Needless to say my mindset was skewed negative before I had even started.

My biopsy had been booked in for 12.30 but they wanted me to get there half an hour early for preparation.  Paula arrived first, then Dr Burt followed by the pathology nurse.  They had me take off my shoes and jeans then lie down on the treatment table.  The first thing that they did was put in some local anaesthetic which was good as the thought of having someone drill out a portion of my bone without would be quite painful.

After the anaesthetic had been administered Dr Burt checked the area to make sure the area was suitably numbed and then he did it.  He shoved a big stick in my arse.  It wasn't so much painful as uncomfortable and as happens many times when I have procedures like this, I started to sweat.  And not just normal sweats, big time sweats that I could feel running down my forehead.

The first thing they did was drain some of the fluid out of my bone marrow followed by the main event where he took a chunk of my bone out.  It didn't hurt much at all.  The most unsettling thing was the scratching sensation.  I didn't like that at all.  It was almost like the grinding of teeth.

And that was pretty much it.  All the needles were removed, gauze was placed on the needle sight and then I was made to sit on my butt for ten minutes as a way to apply pressure.  They fetched me a glass of water, and finally I was allowed to go.  Now the procedure was not as bad as I had first imagined, but you certainly wouldn't do it for fun.  A day later I would be lying if I said my bum was not sore, but all I have to show for it is a little red dot.  I have to go back to the hospital today for more blood work and it will be a cab ride.  I certainly do not feel up to walking that far.  Until next time, stay well:)