Today I underwent a common hematological procedure done: A Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration. I had heard it was quite painful, so I was a little worried about it. My hematologist assured me that the pain was only moderate and was quick. But what I had heard was very different. I did not know what to believe. I did not worry too much until the night before. And then the worry kicked in. Maybe the pain would be intense? I went out with some friends and had a couple of frozen Margaritas and quickly forgot about everything.
The day of the appointment, I arrived at the hospital a bit early, registered and waited for my 11am appointment at the Hematological and Oncological Center. There I was surrounded by many elderly and sick patients waiting for various treatments. I realized that the average age of the people waiting with me was probably 70+. The atmosphere was quite serious.
The wait was excruciating. As the time slowly ticked off of the clock, I became more and more nervous. I had nothing to do but sit and think. Would it be painful? How would I manage? The suspense was nerve-wracking.
After an hour passed by, I asked the receptionist if everything was OK. She assured me that everything was fine, I just needed to wait to be called. It was like a suspense movie. You know something bad is coming and you just don't know when and exactly what to expect.
Finally, I was called into the procedure room. The doctor introduced himself and explained what would happen. He was a pleasant young man around 30 years old accompanied by a young woman who I assume was a nurse. He said he would be performing the procedure and to start, he would inject me with anesthetic (Lidocaine, I believe). I would feel two small injections, there would be some pain, but it would be brief. He asked if I had any questions. I asked what I need to do afterwards. He said, to avoid putting water on it for 24 hours and to take normal pain medication (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, etc) if necessary.
Finally the procedure began. I felt the sting of the needle as he injected the Lidocaine. It was slightly painful, but no more than any other injection. Then I felt some pressure as he began to insert his instruments. Frankly, I could not really see what was happening, because it was done to the back of my pelvis. I was lying on my stomach. He told me when the pain would begin. And yes, there was some pain. But as I was told it was very brief. It felt like the pain of getting an needle inserted into your vein. It was a sharp sting which lasted several seconds and then it was over.
Now as I write this, I feel virtually nothing. It is 8 hours since I had the bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. I have no pain and no reason to take any pain medication.
Was the bone marrow biopsy and aspiration painful? Yes, but very briefly. On a scale of 1-10 where 10 is excruciating pain, it was a 5 or 6. Was it worth worrying about? Not at all. Now that I know what it was like, if I have to do it again, I will not worry for a moment. What was the worst part of the experience? Sitting in the waiting room dreading something I did not know.
I would put it in a similar category of discomfort as teeth cleaning or any common dental procedure. Uncomfortable, yes. But nothing to worry much about. But that is just my experience. Please tell us your experience below.
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