Reality eased back some four hours later, as I awoke to the minor discomfort of a dull ache, and a rather clumsy plaster bandage adhering tightly to my back. It was lunch time on the Monday, and I wondered what all the fuss had been about. Of the many times that I was to have a bone marrow biopsy, this was one of only two completed with the luxury of a general anaesthetic.
Because of its effects, the G.A. is quite unsuitable for any procedure that doesn't allow time for preparation and recovery. All of the other occasions, on which I had the test, were as an outpatient at the Alfred, very early in the morning. I couldn't afford to lose a whole day, so that was when the biopsy became quite menacing.
I shall describe a typical experience.
The bone marrow biopsy was immediately preceded by the extracting of an extra-large sample of blood from those oft¬ punctured veins, quite noticeable in the front of my elbows. Before the punishment they endured led to the excessive hardening of these vessels in my right arm, the veins would readily stand to attention after the application of a tourniquet. Much of the sample was sent to research teams.
The attending nurse had the task of making me comfortable as I removed my shoes, loosened my trousers, took up the foetal position on the trolley, and began to really panic. Cold antiseptic chilling of the skin of the lower back was the sign that the procedure had begun. While I waited for this cue, I had to endure the tormenting sounds of preparation - metal on metal, the sucking syringe draining the sealed vial.
"First a cold wash," whispered the nurse.
The expression on her face was that of concern, as she held my arm and hip with reassuring strength.
"Just a small pricking pain," followed the doctor as he injected sufficient anaesthetic to deaden feeling from the skin in the region to be penetrated. I always found this pain to be sharp, because I was concentrating so hard, and also because the needle was being moved under the skin to spread its effects as widely as possible.
"Ouch!" A low, quiet grunting. I had to make some reaction, and this seemed the least offensive alternative.
The real discomfort was soon to follow. The bone being sampled is filled with nerve endings, still able to transmit messages of pain to the brain. It could not be anaesthetised, yet it was the real site of disturbance.
faffajane
Pro 
Hugs xxx and thanks for sharing.