Procrastination-for once it was a good thing

I spent the next 3 years living my life, watching the kids grow, and doing what every other mom does. I went in for my 6 month check ups. There were areas they were watching but no changes. On my scheduled last check up, Sue at Dr. Gottlieb's office keep calling me to remind me, it's time for your appointment. She was persistent in calling me. I am very grateful she was. I procrastinated but finally scheduled it for January 3, 2011, 9 months past my last check up. I went thru the usual, mammogram and then the ultrasound. As I was laying on the ultrasound table watching from the side, the ultrasound person seemed to zero in on an area on my left breast. Once she started mapping the coordinates, I knew right then, something was there. The radiologist on duty reviewed my images and mentioned, a biopsy might be needed in this questionable area.
After having had 3 other biopsy's performed I considered myself a semi pro. There are different types of biopsies. I had a core needle biopsy. This is where a needle that is hollow is inserted into the questionable area.  Within this hollow needle there is another needle that comes out and takes a sample of the tissue. First biopsy I had the inside needle shoot out with air compression into the area. This type of biopsy is my least favorite. The other type of biopsy I have had is a similar concept like a hollow needle but the sample is drawn by having the inside needle come out and twist like a cork screw to gather the sample. It is less traumatic to the body. This my preferred way to biopsy. This is also a newer way of getting a biopsy. Sometimes a mammo is done right after to confirm the placement of of your marker clip. The clips are markers that the Dr. uses to watch and compare year after year. Make sure clips are used after any biopsy. This is your marker of an area of concern. 
After one of my biopsy's a mammo was performed.  The compression from the mammo machine that came down on my breast casued the wound to gush blood from the biopsy area. I looked down and for the first time in my life, I felt a sudden warmth come over me and literally the room started to slowly start spinning. Part of me thought, "Oh God, I'm going to pass out and the only thing that's going to hold me upright is my breast compressed in this mammogram machine" This is a problem. I was able to say as calmly as I could, "I am going to pass out. I need help." The gal moved in hyper speed, releasing my breast from the compression and hitting the help button. Make sure someone comes with you to your biopsy. Don't feel like your inconveniencing someone because it is just nice to know you have a backup in case you have a similar situation. From there on out Frank now comes with me.

Additional information 2/8/2011: It has been brought to my attention that there is a screening procedure that uses breast thermography. I am not familiar with this but I will be asking my Dr. about this. The idea is that metabolic activity and vascular circulation in both pre-cancerous tissue and the area surrounding a developing breast cancer is almost always higher in temperature than in normal breast tissue. The thermography uses ultra-sensitive medical infrared cameras and sophisticated computers to detect, analyze, and produce high-resolution images of these temperature variations. Because of the extreme sensitivity, these temperature variations may be among the earliest signs of breast cancer and/or a pre-cancerous state of the breast. Again, it is something to use in the screening for breast cancer along with a secondary type of screening. Ask your Dr about this. No harm in asking, right?