2019 - Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration

As my low Blood cells count continues to decline,
Doctor suggested to perform Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration tests.

This procedure is to remove a sample of bone marrow and a piece of bone for examination.

Bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration are often done at the same time.

Arrived at the hospital, waiting for the procedure.

My turn came and went into the operation bed room.

I asked the nurse if I need to strip naked, nurse replied not necessary

The nurse told me to lie on the bed, facing the wall with my two legs bend towards my body.

I unzipped my jeans and the nurse helped to pull it down partially, exposing my butt to the doctor.

The doctor came in and began the procedure.

My hip was cleaned with a cold anti-bacterial solution twice.

As I am facing the wall, I could not watch the actual operation.

I could hear lots of plastic tearing sounds which I presume are getting the needles ready.

Finally, the doctor said he is going to numb my skin at the hip.

My heart skip a beat when I felt the needle with anesthetic was injected into my skin.

Subsequent jabs around the area became less painful.

Doctor tested if the anesthetic is working by poking my skin and I said I could still feel the needle.

More anesthetic was injected till I could not feel any skin sensation.

3 minutes later, Doctor holding my hip, and pushed the 1st needle into my hip bone.

There was no pain until the needle was reaching the center of the hip bone mass.

Gave a short moan to indicate to the doctor that I am feeling the needle !

I could feel the extraction of the bone marrow like bubbles getting into the Coca Cola Bottle as you drank the liquid out.

The needle came out and next is the bone extraction, where a larger needle is used.

Again, no pain was felt till it reached the core of the hip bone.

This time, I screamed and with tears flowing as the needle was twisted to scoop a piece of the bone.

Doctor reported that no bone was extracted and have to do it again !

Urgghhh, same large needle went in again and this time was successful as he pushed the needle hard into the bone deeply.

Nurse put in the bandage and was told to lie on top of the bandage to stop the blood flow.

Rested for 60 minutes and discharged from the hospital.

Updates:

30 hours later, I removed my bandage and glad to see my blood loss is minimum.

Looking at the Bone Marrow entry hole, it is a small 3mm size hole and almost dried up.

Took my first bath after 30 hours later.