Question about Husband's first Bone Marrow Biopsy

Hi staygold, and welcome to the site. I am happy your husband has you on his team. Your role as a caretaker will be very important to him. 

The first time I saw my Hematologist/Oncologist, I was in shock and reeling from my diagnosis. I still wasn't even sure what Lymphoma was.

When the Doctor told me I would need a bone marrow biopsy, I said , "OK" without realizing I was about to be marched down the hall to have one. I had it done without any explanation of what was about to happen. And no sedation. I did have local anesthesia. And yes, I felt pressure. And some pain. I even started crying just as the Doctor told me he was coming out. 

It was far from the worst pain I've ever had and I did not even come close to screaming. I did not pass out from pain and in fact got up, walked out, and drove myself home. 

My husband was in the room watching and I truly think he was more traumatized than I was. 

Stay strong and be brave. . .

Hugs,

Rocquie

lindary said:

Bone Marrow biopsy

I had a bone marrow biopsy in my oncologist's office. I felt pressure but little pain. No problems afterwards. I was 64 at the time. I would put it this way, how did he handle having his teeth drilled by the dentist when he was around 10-12 years old? No numbing. 

I hated needles so I avoided the numbing when our dentist had to drill my teeth. I just bared the pain/pressure and was relieved when it was over. That is about what the bone marrow biopsy was for me but I did get a local. Good luck to your husband.

Hi staygold,

I also had lymphoma in 2012 at the age of 68, in my cerebellum, primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

I had bone marrow biopsy (BMB) several times, There was some pain, but not very much. However, everyone is different and will experience BMB in their own way. As your husband is confident and not afraid, the best thing to do probably is to let him have his own way.

Lymphoma can be cured. I got high dose chemo and autologous stem cell transplant, and I am now NED (no evidence of disease) since late 2012.

Good luck to you and your husband!

Sten

staygold said:

Thank you so much

Thank you for you replies.  I feel so much better now.   Your stories are all pretty much what he is expecting to experience, so that is good to hear.   I think these discussion boards will be a great place to share and as I get into this with my husband I hope I can help people too.  Thank you again.

Stay,

I do not recall my marrow biopsy very well, but most people (like me) do not receive sedation.  I would approximately rate the pain with a tooth filling, although the boipsy proceedure is much faster -- a few minutes at most.  I would think he will be quite ok without sedation, but there will develop some soreness.  Ninety minutes is a fairly long drive, so take the Cadillac, not the pickup truck !  I once received a chest tube insertion in an E.R. between 13 rib fractures with no deadening agents.  The biopsiy is nothing in comarison, not severe.

You mention that he has "B-type lymphoma."  Most lymphomas (nearly 60 varieties) are "B-type" (the exceptions are extremely rare 'T-cell' diseases, and a few others).  Review his biopsy report, which will specify what form of the disease he has, which will allow folks here to give much more focused responses.  

Undoubtedly this is overwhelming (it is to almost everyone), so it is helpful to patients and family members to get paper copies of every set of results he gets back, even scan summaries.  Beginning a notebook log is a common practice.  Most folks here (like me) knew virtually nothing of lymphoma at diagnosis. Your learing curve will be steep, but you are obviously a smart and concerned person, and will assimilate the information rapidly.  The Mayo Clinic site is very good, as is Johns Hopkins. Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center also has a huge amount of info available on line, including many video seminars.

max

staygold said:

Great idea

Thanks for the idea of asking for copies of reports.   I had thought to take notes, but didn't think of asking for copies of labs and reports.   I will do that for sure.

First I'm sorry you're here and your husbands diagnosis. 

My bone marrow biopsy was not unlike the other previous stories but I will share it with you and perhaps it will provide offer something slightly different.

I was diagnosis in 2014, 47 yrs old, thin and otherwise very healthy.  Like your husband I too was optimistic, thankful it was me and not my children or husband.  I was convinced cancer never met met the likes of me before.  Rather ignorant and went into my first oncology appointment in my gym clothes.  I was certain I was going to the gym after my appointment.  My close friend is my oncologist and I'll never forget him convincing me to get a biopsy, he was nodding his head and the next thing I knew it I was too.  The nurse rolled in a cart and he did it right there.  There was no plan of escape, no window to jump out of. I was puzzled and thought it would be done another time in a different place.

He did explain things rather well and was very careful with the numbing of the area.  He numbed it a good amount and insisted to wait  for the agent to fully numb the area.  He told me sometimes the Doctors don't wait long enough therefore the pain could be bad.

He did a great job, I felt very little pain.  At one point I could feel him twist the instrument but no real pain.  For me the pain was worse than a visit to the dentist and the pain came when the numbing agent wore off.  I was more mortified by my friend/oncologist seeing my hip.  

My ride was only 30 minutes and the pain was there in fifteen minutes, like Max suggested take a comfortable car if possible.  I never did make it to the gym that day and was sore for a while.....

Good Luck,

hugs