Bone Marrow Biopsy Warning

[tinhuvielartanis]

**PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT**

If you ever find yourself in the situation of needing to get a bone marrow biopsy to try to find out what's going on with your blood, demand that you be anesthestised prior to the procedure. Aunt Tudi has withstood more pain than I can possibly imagine in a lifetime, but what the doctor did to her yesterday left her crying like a baby. Only afterward did we learn she had the option of anesthetic. Why doctors don't offer that up front is beyond me, but I'm telling you now, don't let your doctor perform this procedure without being knocked out.

I'm a total ninny when it comes to pain, so I already know what my choice would be, should I ever face the health complications Aunt Tudi has been facing these past few weeks. Keep your damn 20-foot-long needle to yourself unless it's full of drugs that will put me to sleep.

I'm only now getting over the experience so that I can write about it...and I wasn't the one the doctor tortured!

That is all.

Comments

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

Just goes to show how truly close we still are to the medical practices of the Dark Ages.

[ladyana5.livejournal.com]

I hate to say it, but I know what it is. Anesthetic can have complications and it makes the procedure take longer and, of course, the doctors just want to hurry the hell up and get it done, with as few issues as possible. Of course, the patient trusts the doctor to know what's best, so they don't even bother to ask for it. What I don't see is how a thrashing, screaming patient is less of a health risk!

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

The American medical experience leaves a lot to be desire, to be sure.