Pugsley: aka, the Sausage.
Lori: Loves Pugs. Writing. Food and Fashion.
« Caption this | Main | Update »
I thought I was all done with cancer scares for a while after having watched my sweet Sausage go from a tiny lump his in left forearm in 2006 to ultimately being riddled with tumors and withering away before my eyes in 2008.
Well here I am having flashbacks to being scared and worried all over again. Only it's me this time. I had an abnormal mammogram on Monday when they found some micro calcification in my left breast that they are calling "suspicious" because of the size and formation.
This morning I underwent a stereotactic biopsy where they basically put your breast into the mammogram plates with full compression while the radiologist inserts a needle and vacuum device. They dig around in a clockwise direction with the needle and suction removing as much of the calcium particles and surrounding tissue as possible. At the end of the biopsy they inserted a titanium marker into the area. They microchipped my boob. This is in the event it does come back as cancer then the surgeon knows exactly where to go. If it's not (God willing) I guess my left boob will be setting off security at the airport terminals whenever I travel.
I consider myself someone with a high threshold for pain but this was so excruciating that I had tears streaming down my face the entire time. It went on for 45 minutes. I think the women reading can get an idea of what I'm talking about.
Men - if you can imagine having one of your balls locked into a vice grip for 45 minutes with needles poking and jabbing removing tissue and fluid, that's what it felt like.
It was fucking barbaric. But necessary I guess. I need to know one way or the other.
Here I sit wrapped in a dressing packed in ice and an ace bandage around my chest that has to stay on for 24 hours. I'm holding onto one of my stuff pugs that still carries a faint smell of the Sausage where he used to bite its nose and ears with his needle teeth and stinky breath. Feeling kinda low and sorry for myself. Still kinda loopy from the tranquilizers they had to give me to hold me down.
Results on Friday.
Kelly commented May 13, 2009 10:53 PM
Oh Lori, that does sound very painful and unpleasant...I will be praying for good results for Friday!
Love,
Kelly
Nicole commented May 13, 2009 11:09 PM
ugh! oh no!!!!! I am so sorry this happened. crossing my fingers for you, but so sorry you had to endure all that pain. Is this something that runs in our family?
Why in the name of medical science can't they just knock you out completely to do something like that to you? what the hell.
fuck cancer.
Denise commented May 13, 2009 11:43 PM
I'm so sorry to hear that....I am praying for you!! Even a regular mammo is so uncomfortable and I can't imagine how painful your test was. :(
marni commented May 14, 2009 7:12 AM
Hugs... lots and lots of hugs, Lori. You'll be just fine, but Im so sorry you had to go through that!
"Amber Walters commented May 14, 2009 7:33 AM
wow. I can barely handle the yearly pap smears I'm givin. My pug, Mr. Pups has undergone many surgeries. He's been fourtunate to avoid any new outbreaks. I keep him on a strict diet of steak, chicken and noodles. He's my kid, and if he goes, I go! i love him more than I can possibely can imagine.
"Amber Walters commented May 14, 2009 7:34 AM
wow. I can barely handle the yearly pap smears I'm givin. My pug, Mr. Pups has undergone many surgeries. He's been fourtunate to avoid any new outbreaks. I keep him on a strict diet of steak, chicken and noodles. He's my kid, and if he goes, I go! i love him more than I can possibely can imagine.
"Amber Walters commented May 14, 2009 7:34 AM
wow. I can barely handle the yearly pap smears I'm givin. My pug, Mr. Pups has undergone many surgeries. He's been fourtunate to avoid any new outbreaks. I keep him on a strict diet of steak, chicken and noodles. He's my kid, and if he goes, I go! i love him more than I can possibely can imagine.
"Amber Walters commented May 14, 2009 7:37 AM
wow. I can barely handle the yearly pap smears I'm givin. My pug, Mr. Pups has undergone many surgeries. He's been fourtunate to avoid any new outbreaks. I keep him on a strict diet of steak, chicken and noodles. He's my kid, and if he goes, I go! i love him more than I can possibely can imagine.
"Amber Walters commented May 14, 2009 7:42 AM
wow. I can barely handle the yearly pap smears I'm givin. My pug, Mr. Pups has undergone many surgeries. He's been fourtunate to avoid any new outbreaks. I keep him on a strict diet of steak, chicken and noodles. He's my kid, and if he goes, I go! i love him more than I can possibely can imagine.
Punchbugpug commented May 14, 2009 7:58 AM
Been there! You described that just about perfect. My rendition for men would be lay on the garage floor and I'll drive over your privates!
Jan commented May 14, 2009 9:12 AM
oh lori, i'm so sorry you're going thru this. i'll be thinking good thoughts and anxiously awaiting your results.
huge hug from here...
Casey commented May 14, 2009 9:43 AM
HOLY CRAP THAT SOUNDS HORRIBLE!! Will be sending good vibes your way for a good test result tomorrow!! I love that you are getting comfort from a stuffed pug that smells like Pugsley...he is just what you need to help you through this!
Lex commented May 14, 2009 11:30 AM
Oh you poor thing.. my fingers are crossed for good results...
Sending hugs your way.
Neas Nuttiness commented May 14, 2009 1:47 PM
Words are so ineffective sometimes. I'm so very sorry.
And why the heck can't they numb you up before doing this. I think that this is barbaric...and I'll guarantee you, that if they did this to a man...they'd knock him out first!!!
Rob commented May 14, 2009 4:23 PM
Sorry to hear about this...
hang in there..you're not alone here...everyone on this blog
is supporting you
Lauren commented May 14, 2009 5:36 PM
Oh Lori, I'm so sorry you had to go through that!... We will certainly be praying for good results!.. Our thoughts are with you...
emily the biker pug commented May 14, 2009 9:44 PM
Lori so sorry to hear this news, you have been having a rough year.
It is amazing how much comfort we get from our pets, Pugsley is still giving you comfort in this stressful time.
If we lived close to you Emily could stay over as a loaner pug to keep you company.
We will say some prayers for you and be on pins and needles for some good news.
Lots of love from Emily the biker pug
Becky commented May 14, 2009 10:34 PM
I have a marker too and no, it won't set off any alarms when you pass thru security. I'm a breast cancer survivor and if need anyting you just let me know. Almost 8 years now! Lori, I will be praying for you.