From what I understand, it's the aspiration that's really painful. They do give you an anesthetic, and they'll often give patients a sedative, but I was definitely going for the dramatic effect. (I was inspired by this picture (http://www.post-gazette.com/newslinks/19980721miracle2.asp), which was taken in the late 90s.) But
a.) I don't think you have to have the aspiration done as a donor,
and
b.) Since a donor has to give up more bone marrow, they generally put you under for it. For a biopsy, general anesthetic isn't as likely.
I also figure
a.) the Fleet's gotta be running short on certain supplies. I'm still at a loss as to where they were coming up with all this cancer medication anyway ;) but beyond that, things like painkillers and anesthetics... I would think they'd ration them to an extent. They'd give Hoshi an anesthetic for the procedure, because yeah- pencil sized needle in your hip merits one. But they'd also give him as little as he could manage to get through the biopsy with.
b.) When he had his first post-attack biopsy done, it was on New Caprica (this the reason he tripped getting out of the Raptor). I've been debating if he had a local there, partly because of the conditions, and partly because Dr. Robert knew he was Sagittaron, and didn't know he was military at that point. There's a part that was in there and moved to the next part about how Dr. Robert "really appreciates the military" according to Hoshi, and how he got much better treatment after Dr. Robert realized he was military. >:)
I am also a HUGE coward when it comes to needles. You should have seen me get my epidurals when I had the boys. (Not helped by the fact it took her three tries to get it in with Toby, and two with Trevor. With Toby I was in so much labor pain that I didn't care. With Trevor, who was a planned C-section, I was in tears the whole time.) Hoshi's kind of getting that from me ;)
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-06-13 12:43 am (UTC)a.) I don't think you have to have the aspiration done as a donor,
and
b.) Since a donor has to give up more bone marrow, they generally put you under for it. For a biopsy, general anesthetic isn't as likely.
I also figure
a.) the Fleet's gotta be running short on certain supplies. I'm still at a loss as to where they were coming up with all this cancer medication anyway ;) but beyond that, things like painkillers and anesthetics... I would think they'd ration them to an extent. They'd give Hoshi an anesthetic for the procedure, because yeah- pencil sized needle in your hip merits one. But they'd also give him as little as he could manage to get through the biopsy with.
b.) When he had his first post-attack biopsy done, it was on New Caprica (this the reason he tripped getting out of the Raptor). I've been debating if he had a local there, partly because of the conditions, and partly because Dr. Robert knew he was Sagittaron, and didn't know he was military at that point. There's a part that was in there and moved to the next part about how Dr. Robert "really appreciates the military" according to Hoshi, and how he got much better treatment after Dr. Robert realized he was military. >:)
I am also a HUGE coward when it comes to needles. You should have seen me get my epidurals when I had the boys. (Not helped by the fact it took her three tries to get it in with Toby, and two with Trevor. With Toby I was in so much labor pain that I didn't care. With Trevor, who was a planned C-section, I was in tears the whole time.) Hoshi's kind of getting that from me ;)