Hi [@Kelsi]‍ we were in touch over last couple of days about me also needing further biopsies due to it being inconclusive. Like you, I had to have a Vacuum Assisted Biopsy and it was done in the mammogram machine. (I had another VAB done with the utlrasound, but for others that are harder to locate/be precise they do the mammogram imaging (like an x-ray) while you are in the machine to be absolutely certain where they are aiming at.

They are either done upright or lying down - I have had two of them done now as Vacuum Assisted Biopsies in the mammogram machine and both times I was lying down. It's a bit uncomfortable as you have to stay really still. but it is quite manageable. There is a lot of set up to get the right position so each time it took about 45 mins. They give you local anaesthetic when you are in position and once that has taken effect they use the VAB needle do the biopsy. I kept my eyes shut for that bit and they kept chatting to me throughout. The noise is quite different to the 'staple gun' type biopsy but it is just different really and a bit noisier.. Afterwards, the radiographer applied lots of pressure to my breast to minimise bruising but I was pretty bruised afterwards. Paracetamol helped with any pain and you should avoid Ibuprofen as that is not good for the bleeding/bruising.

I really hope you get your date soon - I sure know how that waiting is soooo hard xx

I had mine redone on Thursday on a second area of concern and the breast surgeon is ringing wme with results in about an hour as my surgery is tomorrow morning and no time to go and get the thrid biopsy result in person before then.

Take care xx

Hi thanks so much for your reply, is that the procedure that is done lying on your front?xx

On your side. They position you and even taped my other breast out of the way! They use pillows and everything they can to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Sometimes they do them seated but I think it depends on their preference or where your bit is located that they need to get to xx

[@Kelsi]‍ just re-read your message - the one on your front is a breast MRI which I also had done as part of my assessment but I think it is more unusual to have a biopsy done in an MRI xx

I'm just so confused as I was only told it would be a vacuum excision with ultrasound now today they told me it will be in the xray department. I have to get the papillary lesion and the surrounding tissue removed, I'm terrified as it sounds horrible. Do they put your breast in the machine during the procedure, or just at the beginning? Sorry I'm full of questions xx

Hi [@Kelsi]‍  my breast was in the mammogram machine for the whole time but once you have the local anaesthetic you don't really feel it. Like you, I thought I was going in to have the VAB under ultrasound but when I got there they decided it needed to be done on the mammogram machine. A mammogram machine is an x-ray machine so that is where the confusion probably lies. Biopsies are done using one of three methods: ultrasound, x-ray (mammogram machine) or MRI.

It is not the most fun but worth it for peace of mind as I just had a call from my surgeon to say it came back as benign and was a Radial Scar that looks just like cancer. Now having just the other area out that was still inconclusive but they think is cancer,

xx

Aw thank God it was benign, that's great news but here's hoping you get the all clear completely now. Fingers crossed for you xx

Hi how did you get on with your surgery today?xx

Hi [@Kelsi]‍ it went well on Tuesday. I feel really physically tired after just really short walks down the road to get my blood flowing. I think it will be a while before I am back to running! Bit nervous while I wait for the results on Fri 26th. Had a wee cry this morning. Have been doing well so far over all of the dramas with my uncertain situation over nearly 2 months and it finally hit me today. It's like being in a conveyor belt that you'd like to get off, but you can't.

Hope you are doing ok xx

Hi, glad it went ok for you . The way your feeling is completely understandable it's the waiting in between everything that is so hard. I'm the same sometimes I get so emotional especially at night, my man looks at me like I've lost the plot!

I called the hospital today as I've still not had a letter, she said she will get the lady that does the excision to give me a call and explain the whole procedure, and roughly when it will be. Just want it over with, I'm terrified.  Shes going to let her know aswel how anxious I am. More so incase it's done in the mammogram machine as I have really small boobs and I'm scared about the pain because of that. 

Hope this can all be over for us soon xx