Saturday, August 20, 2011

Lung Biopsy

This is long....read at your leisure.
As a lot of you have wanted to know how my lung biopsy went so I thought I would write about it here on my blog. Unfortunately things didn't go to plan. The doctor did explain to me before he started that it was a very tricky procedure and he may not be able to get a sample of the tumor because of where it is. The tumor is situated at the bottom of my left lung on the inside. This part of the lung flaps around a bit with the breathing. He said it would be like hitting a moving target.

Firstly the nurse had to put a needle in my arm. Well that seems easy enough..not. Because I have no lymph nodes in my right arm they have to do it in my left arm. You guessed it!! they can never find the vein so it has to be done by ultrasound. Still he couldn't find it...duh! After sticking me umteen dozen times I said just put it in my right arm and don't tighten the band around my arm. Ah! relief. finally I'm ready. Well as ready as I could feel. I was terrified of having this done. (I'm so brave).

I had to lay on my stomach so that he could go through my back.
First he gave me a needle to numb the area and the flesh that goes to the lung.

Then there was another instrument that had to go into that same place to nip some of the tumor. Each time he put it in a little it had to be inspected on the CT scan to see that it was going in the right place. I had to stop breathing each time for a short period and the breath had to be exactly the same each time. (quite hard to do). After about four times of doing this he let me know that my lung had collapsed and he had missed the tumor. By this time my breathing was very laboured and I think I was going a nice shade of purple.

Now the worsed bit..he said he had to put a tube into my lung to get the air out. He gave me another needle of pain relief and started putting the tube in. Honestly I thought I was going to die. By this time I was screaming with the pain....God help me, please help me. He said that as it is paining me so much he would take it out and hope that it had done it's job. He removed it and I was left on the bed still crying out asking for more pain relief. After awhile I got another injection. Still no relief. None that I could feel anyway.
They wheeled me around to have an x-ray. I prayed all the way. Please dear Lord I pray I don't have to have it put back. ahh! prayers answered.

I then had to go back to recovery and wait another four hours for another x-ray. My blood pressure was that low I was almost passing out. No more pain killer until my blood pressure had gone up a little. 2 pm I could have more pain relief. Slowly the pain subsided. A little relief at last. Not good when you feel like going to the toilet and you aren't allowed to walk. Not good when you miss the little potty they put under you and everything has to get changed.

Doug arrived back at the hospital just in time to miss all the fun. Thank the Lord he wasn't there when I was screaming out or they would of had to admit him.

Another x-ray and all is clear. My temperature is still a little high, and blood pressure starting to get better.
Doctor informs me I will probably have to go the hard way and have an operation to remove it. The hard way...what is he talking about? I don't think anything could feel any worse than that.

 So there is my story. I have to see my Specialist on the 1st of September to find out what is going to take place. I forgot to mention that the doctor wanted to have another go and put the needle in another place. You can guess what I said...yep! I said no way am I having that again. He did say that he didn't blame me. Thank you for all those prayers and well wishes. Without them I think I would of had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana skin. chuckle.

i finally went home from the hospital at 4.30 pm. At least I didn't have to stay there.

I am now going to go and do some craft as I am so much better except for an awful cough. At least I didn't cough when he was sticking me...ugh!

edit....my sister Sheryl has just read this and said how come I didn't mention that she had to get up from her sick bed to see me....poor thing has the flu.


28 comments:

Rene said...

Oh Maz...what an ordeal! I am so sorry...it just sounds excruciating! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Rene

Chris said...

Oh Maz, I am fighting back tears. As I read this, I just had so much empathy for you. I am so very sorry you had to go through this.Having had both a bronchoscopy and mediastinopathy, I cannot imagine what you had to endure. You were so brave and strong, Maz. I will hold you closely in my prayers. Please stay strong.

XO,
Chris Christensen

Unknown said...

Oh my this is so awful!!!! What an ordeal you went through!!!! I am so very sad as you are such a sweet lady I cannot imagine the pain you went through!!!! My prayers are with you and I hope things will turn out a little better from now on!!!!!

Hugs Linda

Sharon Caudle said...

I'm so sorry you had to endure so much, Maz! I will keep you in my prayers and I hope everything will go as planned from here foreward!
hugs, Sharon

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, you poor thing! I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. Will sure keep you in my prayers! Big Hugs, Leah Ann

Baukje said...

Oh Marion, how awful for you, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes as well.
I sincerely hope that everything will go as planned and that you will have a happy, healthy cancer free future.

Hugs............Baukje

Peggie said...

How horrible. Why do they do such things. I recently had to have a biopsy on my cervix. They said I would feel a pinch. I cried and screamed as well. Glad to hear you are doing better. Yes let me be put out for such things. I'm with you.

Kelly said...

I am so sorry you had to endure all that pain. I caught myself holding my breath as I read about your procedure. I will definately pray for a comfortable surgery as well as very successful surgeon. Looking forward to more of your pretty cards. LOL

Zoe said...

Oh Maz sweetie - what a terrible ordeal to go through. I have been wondering how you are going and sorry to hear of this. I hope the specialist can help with a new plan. I'll be thinking of you. hugs xxoo

Barb Hardeman said...

Oh, my gosh, Maz! You ARE a brave lady and to have endured so much. Your recitation of the events of the day just made me shudder! How can medicine be so wonderful and so horrible at the same time. I'm so proud of your 'grit'! I will admit that when I got to your last line, about your sister on her sick bed not being mentioned I had to laugh out loud. Your sense of humor and the grace of our God is what is seeing you through. Continuing to pray as you await another doctor visit and the results of the flubbed biopsy!
Big big hugs,
Barb

Madge H. said...

Oh my goodness Maz, what an ordeal. I'm so glad you are back home and able to think about crafting. Love your sense of humor - one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel......lol
Much love and prayers are being sent to get you through to the next operation.
Keep smiling:
~ rubber hugs, inky wishes ~
Madge

Chris said...

I am so sorry that you had to go through that. Your account of the pain you endured made me cry. My heart goes out to you as do my prayers. I will keep praying for you Maz. May God Bless You!

Stampin Mindy said...

Oh my goodness Maz!

I'm so very sorry for what you're going though. What a procedure you went through! I hope you don't have to go through anything like that again. Good luck with the surgery. Big hugs!

Mindy

only1bedorah said...

Maz, I can't believe what you went through, it sounded like the horrors! You are soooo brave! Why couldn't they just do the surgery and be done with it, one tiny little needle to put you out! Next time, I would be demanding they put me out to do anything like that again!! Yes, I'm th biggest squib, and I have also been known to squeal in the Surgeon's surgery. Best wishes, Maz, and I do hope the appointment on the 1sr Sept goes way better! Mwah!!! Debbie xxxxxxxxx

Christina C. said...

OMG, Maz, I am crying as I read this! What you had to endure is unimaginable!!!! I am sooooo sorry.
I will keep you in my thoughts and I certainly hope your next appointment will be a breeze compared to the last!

Christine Harrop said...

I found your blog by accident whilst looking for something else. I am so sorry to hear what you are going through and pray that God will be with you. Will pray for you on September 1st at your next appt.

Debbie said...

You are such a brave lady Maz. You will be in my prayers and my thoughts.

This is my first time looking at your blog and I am so amazed at your talent. Your art is just beautiful!

Sandy said...

Well sweet friend - what can I say. It was worse than you thought for and I am so sorry. The first of September is right around the corner and then surgery. You have been waiting for so long. I really did not know it could be this bad. Maz, I am so sorry you have had to go through this. There are no words except to continue to tell you that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandy

Jennibee's Cardspot said...

Aww Darlin!!! sounds really rough, something like back in the Dark Ages, didn't think that kind of thing happened these days, so sorry to hear you had to go through all that, I am really hoping that your next appt is much better thinking of you love!!
Jenni xxx
and tell Sheryl tough.....that's what big sisters are for! she loves you tho eh? as we all do xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Maz, What an ordeal!!! Hopefully you won't have to go through anything like that again. Will keep prying for your visit to the specialist and what happens next
Hugs Julie P

Barb Walker said...

Oh ddear Maz, You poor thing.
So sorry to hear that it did not go smoothly and that hey now have to do surgery. Keep strong lovely lady.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Dougie.

pinkstampergirl said...

Oh sweet Maz, I cannot express how much sorrow I felt for you ready this! You are one strong woman going through all this and thank God you still have a sence of humor! I pray that you will have great news after all that you are having gone through!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you, and please stay strong.
Big hugs,
Briana

cabio's craft corner said...

I am so sorry to hear that Marion. Hope everything is well with you and sending you all my Tilda hugs!!! Hang in there girlfriend and be strong :o)
Hugs,
Cabio

Grace said...

Oh Maz my heart bleeds for what you have had to go through with this and I will be praying for all good news from here on and for much easier treatment! Thanks for the update! You've been on my heart so often! Hugs and special healing prayers!
Grace

craftieodmae said...

I came over to say thanks for commenting on my blog and oh my stars, Bless your heart, I have tears in my eyes while reading about your ordeal. Prayers are going up for you and I will be following you. God Bless...Hugs, Olga

ScrappySandie said...

Hello Maz! Wow! What an ordeal you had to endure! I too was holding my breath and grimacing while I read your "report"...you poor, brave girl! Now your surgery is just a few days away...hope all goes well. Will be thinking of you Sept. 1 and praying too!
Big hugs!
Sandie

Eve said...

oh i'm very sorry to hear this. Didn't know... hope you are doing better... Thank you for stopping by my blog to leave a sweet comment, while you are sick. I really appreciate it. You are in my prayers. :-)

Chris said...

Oh Maz, what an horrendous ordeal sweetheart. I can't believe you had to go through that in this day and age. It makes me angry to think of you in that much pain and all for nothing seemingly when they didn't get it done. As Kim said, you're an amazing woman and I'm thinking of you. Speak to you again soon. Love Chris xx