Wanting to know the patient's experience of a typical fusion biopsy
Since I have already had-- supposedly!-- a fusion biopsy, you'd think I would be an expert on what a patient experiences during a fusion biopsy. However I have reason to believe I did not actually receive what I was promised, so now-- a few days before my second prostate biopsy-- I want a clear description from people on this site of exactly what you as a patient observed during your own fusion biopsy. For example, I heard a friend of a friend say that throughout his own fusion biopsy there was a screen (perhaps a LARGE screen) on which the images guiding the doctor were projected, so that, if the patient wished, he could actually follow what was happening step-by-step throughout the procedure. Was there such a screen available during your own fusion biopsy? And please provide a description of anything else that was notable (or even merely noticeable) during your fusion biopsy.
All I can do is relate my personal experience. As the MD was looking around for targets there was a screen in front of me. I was able to see what he referred to as "hot spots". Candidly it was an odd experience. As he identified targets he would offer a verbal clue saying "needle" and I knew what was coming next. I did tend to lose interest in the screen after a few times. Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
Thanks for giving your personal account-- it confirms what I'd heard but had not experienced even remotely in my own fusion biopsy in June-- no hint of a screen, anywhere. One small residual question: was the screen in front of you the same screen the doctor was using to locate the 'hot spots'?
