Fighting Leukemia is filled with many turns and twists. Today is one of those days. This morning Jacy and I are headed to Kaiser for? Wait for it??  Another bone marrow biopsy!

We have lost track as to how many biopsy’s she’s had up to this point. But rest assured it has been enough times I am pretty sure there is a permanant point in her back marked “Pin Cushion”. Now if you have never had a bone marrow biopsy, you really dont know what you are missing when it comes to this little treat! So let me give you a little break down! Tale of the tape as it were….

A bone marrow biopsy and aspiration can be done in a hospital, clinic or doctor’s office.

The procedures are usually done by a doctor who specializes in blood disorders (hematologist) or cancer (oncologist).

The bone marrow exam typically takes about 10 minutes. Extra time is needed for preparation and post-procedure care, especially if you receive intravenous (IV) sedation. The total time for the procedure is about 30 minutes.

Before the procedure

Your blood pressure and heart rate will be checked, and you’ll be given some form of anesthesia to keep you comfortable.

Most people need only local anesthesia, as bone marrow aspiration, in particular, can cause brief, but sharp, pain. You’ll be fully awake during the procedure, but the aspiration and biopsy site will be numbed to reduce pain.

If you feel anxious about pain, you may be given an IV medication so that you’re either completely or partially sedated during the bone marrow exam.

The area where the doctor will insert the biopsy needle is marked and cleaned. The bone marrow fluid (aspirate) and tissue sample (biopsy) are usually collected from the top ridge of the back of a hipbone (posterior iliac crest). Sometimes, the front of the hip may be used.

Bone marrow aspiration — but not biopsy — is occasionally collected from the breastbone or, in children under the age of 12 to 18 months, from the lower leg bone.

You’ll be asked to lie on your abdomen or side, and your body will be draped with cloth so that only the exam site is showing.

Bone marrow aspiration

The bone marrow aspiration is usually done first. The doctor makes a small incision, then inserts a hollow needle through the bone and into the bone marrow.

Using a syringe attached to the needle, the doctor withdraws a sample of the liquid portion of the bone marrow. You may feel a brief sharp pain or stinging. The aspiration takes only a few minutes. Several samples may be taken.

The health care team checks the sample to make sure it’s adequate. Rarely, fluid can’t be withdrawn and the needle is moved for another attempt.

Bone marrow biopsy

Your doctor uses a larger needle to withdraw a sample of solid bone marrow tissue. The biopsy needle is specially designed to collect a core (cylindrical sample) of bone marrow.

After the procedure

Pressure will be applied to the area where the needle was inserted to stop the bleeding. Then a bandage will be placed on the site.

If you had local anesthesia, you’ll be asked to lie on your back for 10 to 15 minutes and apply pressure to the biopsy site. You can then leave and go about your day, returning to normal activity as soon as you feel up to it.

If you had IV sedation, you’ll be taken to a recovery area. Plan to have someone drive you home, and take it easy for 24 hours.

You may feel some tenderness for a week or more after your bone marrow exam. Ask your doctor about taking a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). ~Mayo Clinic

Sounds like fun huh? Dont let all that sugar coating fool you! It hurts! It hurts real bad! I mean I dont know personally, but from what I have witnessed given the choice of a shank to the gut or a bone marrow biopsy well lets just say Orange is the new Black! Unfortunatley bone marrow biopsy’s are a necessisty when determining our next course of action. We are hoping for encourging results so Jacy may take that next step in the process with a minor surgical procedure needed prior to her next round of chemotherapy; thusly leading us back to the steps of Stanford hospital and a bone marrow transplant.

If the numbers from the bone marrow biopsy are not encouraging then it is off to Chemotherapy land anyways. Then her doctors will push the transplant a little further down the road. This of course would not be the optimal postion for recovery.

So give us a few good thoughts and prayers as the biopsy is never pleasant. We will drive over, telling bad jokes, talking about the future and anything else that removes fear of this upcoming procedure from our thoughts.