[hutchibk]

If any of you decide you need a bone marrow biopsy, here's what I went through. I was scared, because you are told to be scared of bone marrow biopsies. But no more!

I had a bone marrow biopsy a month ago. I was on my stomach in a comfortable position (The longest time is getting comfortable on your stomach on the CT table, and then the CT itself to be sure they biopsy just the right spot). I was put under for 11 minutes total (Versed and Dilauded, very very small dose). The taking of the bone marrow is not supposed to be painful. You should be "out" for the 10-12 minutes it takes to get the biopsy. I was apprised of everything that would happen, and I felt nothing until the next day when I bruised in that area (near the coccyx). They tell you that it will be sore in that spot for 4-7 days after, each day getting better. For me it was 7 days, but it felt like a coccyx bruise (like when I fell down skiing years ago) more than anything else. They give you ideas how to sit on couch and in car to make sure it doesn't end up too sore at any given position. It kept getting better everyday. My Oncs used to perform bone marrow biopsies, but not anymore... I had the head of the radiology dept at the hospital do the procedure. I would absolutely do it again. I had been getting non-stop chemo with no breaks since 2005. I also take Espsom Salt baths every 3 days or nights and it apparently takes all the toxins out of the body, so I am sure that helps, too.