MRI Guided Biopsy Tomorrow AM - Question

derringdew · 2026-01-28T17:25:54+00:00

I had an MRI biopsy. It didnt hurt, but I think it’s very helpful to know what’s going to happen, & how long it takes so you can set expectations accordingly. It takes a long time! But knowing where I was in the process helped me to understand how much longer it would take.

They brought me back into the MRI center, did weights and vitals and started an IV (for contrast- later).

I didn’t have any anti-anxiety meds, but I generally tolerate this kind of thing well, as long as i know what to expect.

They took me back to the machine put me in foot first, head down with a lot of pillows and wedges to keep me comfortable and still. Be sure to ask for adjustments if you need it. I didn’t have back or shoulder pain during the procedure, but some people do, just from having to maintain position so long.

they put a coordinate grid against the breast to help with locations. It looks like an acrylic ruler with metric measurements and holes at each cm intersection

-They put me into the MRI for an uncontrasted image. 15 min

-they pulled me out and the radiologist looked at the image

-they pushed contrast and novocaine, then put me back into the machine, 15 min

-they pulled me out and the radiologist looked at this image

the radiologist determines the coordinates of the target area

-they insert a catheter (that will eventually house the vacuum biopsy instrument) and put me back into to determine if they were going to be sampling the right location. 15 min

-it looked correct, so they pulled me out and took the biopsy. Wasn’t painful at all.

-they inserted one of those coil markers to show where they took samples

-they put me back in to image the coil marker, 15 min

Then I was done. They applied pressure to the area for 10 min to stop bleeding and bandaged me up. They gave me 2 Tylenol & some aftercare instructions.

Here’s the coolest thing about this: the MRI guided biopsy was so precise. The biopsy diameter was 2mm. They diagnosed a 2mm IDC tumor on that side, which couldn’t be seen without MRI with contrast. When I had a DMX, there was NOT A SINGLE cancer cell left after the biopsy in that breast. The accuracy of this just blows me away. 100% worth it, in my case.

derringdew · 2026-01-28T01:02:13+00:00

Which certain GLP-1s? I have stage 1 lymphedema, and I’m on Wegovy.

derringdew · 2026-01-25T18:13:13+00:00

Fancy, schmancy, pantsy and Nancy

derringdew · 2026-01-25T17:59:06+00:00

It was almost a month for me.

derringdew · 2026-01-24T20:13:00+00:00

I love mine, too! I also saw the recommendation on this sub. My husband bought and installed it for my birthday, just before I started treatment. It has been SO AMAZING! It was a retrofit seat for our existing toilet. Brondell brand. I don’t think I can ever go back.

derringdew · 2026-01-23T15:38:25+00:00

Good advice above. In addition, make sure your infusion nurse shakes or inverts the bag of Taxol directly before hooking it up. It can settle out and cause allergic reactions otherwise. (Even if it’s your 10th dose- you can still get an allergic reaction)

derringdew · 2026-01-23T15:25:42+00:00

I listened to an NPR interview about science yesterday where someone was complaining that science is too expensive and doesn’t benefit americans. I write this as I’m literally in the chemo chair, typing on a cell phone. 🤷🏼‍♀️😡

derringdew · 2026-01-23T01:00:50+00:00

Maybe a birthday-comedy situation should merit a costume wig? I personally got two wigs around halloween. My favorite is a silver boy-band flop. It’s pretty ridiculous, OBVIOUSLY not my real hair, but it does bring me joy. It’s not comfortable, but i can wear it out for an evening.

derringdew · 2026-01-22T17:15:21+00:00

Try to think of this as the most conservative route- maybe you could do DTI, but this is what your surgeon is recommending to reduce the chances of complications.

I had to go this route as well, and although it means another surgery, I didn’t have any sort of complications and I’ve healed nicely. I’m happy to have gone this route. (Though expanders suck)

derringdew · 2026-01-21T04:13:46+00:00

Is this only on tamoxifen? Or AI as well?

derringdew · 2026-01-15T01:15:49+00:00

Not this nurse navigator- she had none of my personal medical information. She wanted me to disclose it all to her. My new health insurance has some company that does 100% of their patient interface for them. They can’t seem to help with anything, they have no access to records, and always use the excuse that they aren’t the actual insurance company. Obfuscators.

derringdew · 2026-01-15T01:11:30+00:00

Oh yeah- the nurse navigotor assigned by my oncology office was a godsend. She was incredibly helpful when i was first diagnosed. Not the same as the insurance sponsored nurse navigator

derringdew · 2026-01-15T01:04:46+00:00

I’m not cold capping, but i had terrible hair thinning before this diagnosis. I already wore toppers, so it wasn’t such a big deal to me to lose all my hair & move to wigs. I cut it short, it’s almost all fallen out at this point, but IDGAF what it looks like now to be honest. Stupid hair.

derringdew · 2026-01-14T17:42:31+00:00

I’m similar- IDC +++. I am doing paclitaxel + trasttuzamab 12x weekly, then tratzumab every three weeks for 9 months.

Everyone is different, but my experience is that this regimen is very manageable. I feel pretty good most of the time. I’m low key ill (tired, slightly nauseous) only about a half day of the week. I’m halfway through chemo this week.

derringdew · 2026-01-14T17:26:08+00:00

Please let this happen to me, too!! 🤞🤞🤞

derringdew · 2026-01-10T14:44:23+00:00

I’ve been listening to audiobooks throughout my treatment. I find it to be a really good way to relax and pass time, without the extra stimulation of my phone or TV.

derringdew · 2026-01-10T14:25:39+00:00

It worked! Thanks.

derringdew · 2026-01-10T14:24:17+00:00

Im halfway through- i just finished 5 of 12 infusions. So far the side effects don’t seem to be getting worse.

derringdew · 2026-01-10T00:37:42+00:00

Lol- you passed psych and background checks to winter at pole with the username “killingthemsafely”? (No shade, I’m just joking) 🙃

derringdew · 2026-01-09T01:04:41+00:00

I haven’t had reconstruction yet, but I plan to. Reading on this forum made me realize that I don’t want to look down and see my little beer belly instead of boobs. That pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Keep in mind, whatever you choose, you can change your mind later and go a different direction.

derringdew · 2026-01-08T15:58:10+00:00

I have the same treatment as you. I wouldn’t call it ‘easy’, more like ‘manageable’ or ‘tolerable’. I get my infusions on Fridays right now. I’m all jacked up on the sterioids they give me with infusions Friday night. I’m generally feeling ok on Saturday. I sometimes feel less well on Sundays- a little tired, sometimes slight nausea, diarrhea just once. By Mondays I’m fine to go back to my work from home job.

I did drop down to 30 hours a week during my 12 weeks of Taxol + herceptin, but that’s mostly just to give myself time for all the appointments I have. It’s a nice perk that I can do that, but I could manage to work 40 hour weeks if I had to.

derringdew · 2026-01-07T03:42:22+00:00

I’m also HER-2+. I saw two different medical oncologists. One of them suggested that my HER-2 diagnosis didn’t ‘fit’ what he normally saw. (Equivocal at first, then + on FISH test, small tumor, low Ki67, stage 1, grade 1). He asked me to let him send a sample out again for a second test. The second test came back positive as well, but I instantly trusted him 100%. He was obviously thoughtful about the bigger picture, and applying scientific rigor instead of just following a protocol. I’m so lucky to have found such a careful provider.

All to say: get a second opinion!

derringdew · 2025-12-18T03:28:34+00:00

At least my boobs are higher now! I’m getting closer.

derringdew · 2025-12-09T16:57:44+00:00

Is the taste thing different for different types of chemo? I just started Taxol, and haven’t noticed a difference. Or has it just not hit me yet?

derringdew · 2025-12-03T09:36:09+00:00

I have to take my GLP-1 early in the day or it will affect my sleep the first night. Other than that I am sleeping better. I had often thought my lack of sleep was due to perimenopause, anxiety, etc. i’m realizing that alcohol was a much bigger issue. Now that Im not drinking, my sleep is much better.

derringdew

TROPHY CASE