As promised, here's a recap of today's biopsy procedure.
My appointment time was scheduled at 11:20 this morning; I had received a robo-call two days prior to confirm that appointment; during that call they requested I arrive 20 minutes prior to that time. I assumed this would be my pre-procedure prep time and I was correct on that score.
Before I left for the procedure, I took a 500MG generic "Cipro" high powered antibiotic @ 9:30AM. I also did three "Fleet" sized bottles of water mixed with J&J soap to rinse my rectum out. I had done 2 each 2 quart cleansing enemas late yesterday afternoon in preparation for the morning rinses-I still needed the rinses today as I found out.
Once I arrived at the doctor's office @ 10:50, I waited for my name to be called and likely heard that about 10:55. I was led in by a nurse who had me donate the usual urine sample. I was then led to a chair to have my BP taken using a new little device that wrapped around my wrist. I don't know if it transmitted the results to her computer station or not, but I did have my (typical for me) doctor's office "bump" in BP as the high was 143.
Once the preliminaries were done, I was led to the procedure room - about 10' X 15'. It housed a sink and supplies cabinet on the entry door end of the room. Situated on the other end of the room was a "mini" exam couch that electrically raised and lowered. Next to that was the computer screen, keyboard and ultrasound probe and its support equipment.
The doctor's PA directed me to strip from the waist down and gave me a paper sheet to cover up with sitting on the end of the exam couch. She had positioned two absorbent medical towels on the end of the couch previously to sit on.
The PA had left the room during my dis-robe and returned with a tray with an injection. The injection was some sort of high power antibiotic as well. She asked about any allergies to meds to which i answered none that I was aware of. She instructed me to stand facing away from her and to put all my standing weight on my right foot while she scoped out a nice injection site on my left glute. I was careful to keep my left glute relaxed while she prepped the injection site. She then carefully slid the needle in and injected the antibiotic. All in all, a very good shot that did not burn.
At this point, the PA instructed me to lie on my left side with my buttocks positioned right on the corner of the exam table for good anal access. Once positioned, she instilled a quantity of lidocaine gel and covered me up to let the gel work its magic.
About ten minutes later, my urologist appeared, greeted me and asked if everything was good, to which I replied yes. He pulled the ultrasound console over to him while he was seated on a roller stool near my buttocks. He then proceeded to insert the probe into my rectum and position it for the first biopsy needle. Within five minutes, he had collected a total of 12 biopsy sticks. He removed the probe and cleaned my anus and surrounding area with some gauze pads. He left with another pad applied to my anus for any leakage.
I was then instructed by the nurse that I was are to get dressed after ascertaining I had a follow-up appointment scheduled (February 10th). All in all, my procedure was essentially painless from start to finish. I take one more 500MG Cipro tablet tonight to finish the procedure.
I will keep you all updated once I have results.