Here's my earlier post: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3515006
My doc convinced me to get the biopsy.
I am one of those people that would have lost sleep worrying "Is it Cancer?".
The procedure is not nearly as bad as I had imagined. It destroys any dignity you thought you might have had left (after all the digital exams). No real pain, just discomfort.
Unfortunately, I never win the lottery, but I "won" against the odds for coming up with an infection. The morning following the biopsy, I had fever and chills and my doc sent to to the ED, where I waited for 5 hours (in the pathetic hospital nearby*) to receive any treatment. Finally when I collapsed in septic shock, I got IV antibiotics, but had to have a "main line" IV put in my neck. My blood pressure was dangerously low so the only anesthesia that could be used was Ketamine, which gave me a horrifying"out of body" experience where I imagined that I died and worried how my wife would make it with me gone. (I imagined it was like a LSD trip.) The culprit -- multi-drug resistance E coli infection.
Six days hospitalized, three in ICU, had a PICC-line put in and IV antibiotics started 2x daily at home. Three weeks later, the line developed blood clots on it (from the line being cut too short I was told -- remember I mentioned that pathetic excuse of a hospital*) and I had to have it replaced (different hospital) for the remained of the IV treatment.
To put a "good spin" on it -- I do not have cancer! (Yeah!)
And, despite the complications. plus now being paid up on my $4000 out-of-pocket limit, I'm glad I got the result so I could stop worrying. I admit though, I had not given enough serious consideration to the risks.
* St Louis residents -- be forewarned about
****Hospital. You have better options!
(I deleted the name of the hospital. We have a policy of not speaking badly about
specific facilities and doctors, lest we get involved in issues with those places people. Anyone who wants to know the name of the facility should email the OP privately - 142)
Post Edited By Moderator (142) : 8/13/2018 4:07:05 PM (GMT-6)