BMB

I had my bone marrow biopsy yesterday (BMB in English, BOM in Italian). The easiest I’ve ever had. It wasn’t completely pain-free, which would have been, methinks, impossible (after all, the needle has to penetrate your pelvic bone!), and in fact a couple of times I felt what I can describe as painful shockwaves running down my right leg, but no, nothing unbearable. And the BMB was also over quickly, compared to my three others.

After it was done, the nurse bandaged and iced me up and then asked me to turn over and lie on my back to apply pressure on the area. That was nice. My previous BMB doctors had simply said, “okay, you can get up now.” There was no lying about, no ice, no asking me how I felt, etc. 🙁 

This goes to show that you can’t compare BMBs with other patients. Each experience is unique and depends mostly on who is performing the procedure. My previous BMB doctors had an aggressive approach, jamming the needle into the bone and making the procedure very painful for me and probably for all their patients, not just right there on the spot but afterwards as well. One of my worst BMBs had me limping for about a week. I remember it well.

But yesterday, as I said, I only had an insignificant amount of pain. The haematologist was as gentle as he could be. And today I am happy to report that I am fine. I don’t even have a bruise. Amazing. Now we just have to wait for the results, which will arrive late next month.

I’m quite pleased. This light-handed haematologist (who, by the way, was recommended to me by a member of my surgeon’s team) is now my new haematologist. The first thing that I liked about him was that he didn’t roll his eyes when, during our first meeting, I told him that I’ve been taking curcumin since 2006. On the contrary, he told me that some of his patients take curcumin (hmmm, blog readers, perchance?).

Yes, I’m pleased…

6 Comments

  1. Bone marrow biopsies don’t always hurt. I’ve only had one and felt nothing – just the doctor pushing. But based on most people’s comments, it’s usually uncomfortable.

    I did mention to my doctor that I was surprised I didn’t feel anything. She said finding the correct spot to put the needle is easier with some.

  2. I’ve had three BMB’s. The first was full-blown in the hospital operating room. Second, a few years later, was outpatient. One nurse, one assistant.
    Third was the doc, nurse, and company that manufactures the Home Depot looking drill they used. The last one was over in 15 minutes.

  3. Re your new haematologist being aware that MM, SMM & MGUS patients take curcumin. One of my old friends from school, diagnosed with SMM a few years ago, was advised “off the record” to take curcumin by the haematologist in UK. However I know that many people take very low doses. It would be better if haematologists advised patients to read your blog, or at least to research curcumin.

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