The Pincushion Effect

I have lost count of the places I've been poked in the last week. I can't imagine what it must be like for people who are really, really sick!

Yesterday was fun. The bone marrow biopsy was supposed to be a "mild ache" that lasts for 10-15 seconds. Yeah, right. Don't you believe it, baby. Here's what really happens. First, they numb you, just like the dentist. Then they poke this needle in your butt until it stops at your pelvis bone. Then, what appears to happen is that they screw the thing through the bone into the marrow. PAINFUL! Yes, indeed. The lidocaine doesn't penetrate into the bone, so you're on your own at that point. Then the real fun begins. They start sucking the bone marrow out. That is (a) weird and (b) painful. It hurt like a tooth that has gone bad...just before they do a root canal. Of course, that which has been screwed in must be screwed OUT. I thought the guy was gonna have to put his knee on my butt to get enough leverage. But, eventually it did come out and it was all over. I didn't even embarrass myself. I did ask if we'd be doing this again anytime soon. He assured me we would not. He'd better not be lying to me!

Barium is interesting. The berry flavor was OK. It's the texture that could use some improving. They called it a "smoothie." It's more like a "slimey." A heavy slimey. At least it wasn't chalky. I expected something like an antacid, but it wasn't like that at all. But there was 900 ML of the stuff! A lot of gunk to choke down in a 2-hour period.

Pancytopenia. That's my diagnosis. It means my red cells, white cells and platelets are low. Essentially...my blood supply is dwindling. Blood is good. It makes many things so much easier. Like life, for instance.

When I started this blog, I did so just because I was ticked off about something or other and had no way to vent. I had no idea that I would be documenting a medical adventure. I'm trying not to dwell on it, but it's difficult. It will be a week before I have any answers. I'm betting the answer will be "more tests." Stay tuned.