I'm 64 years old and live near Poughkeepsie, NY. Diagnosed In Vlley Hospital NJ 3/14 began inpatient Chemo 3/17 completed/discharge 4/21/25. 3 days before my 64 birthday 4/23/61Met with BMT team at Mt. Sinai on 5/5/25.. Starting outpatient chemo pill Venclexta daily and outpt. chemo SQ injection 5 days month to hopefuly bring me fully into remission over next few months as my strength and immune system rebuilds.
In process of transfer Oncology care to Dyson Cancer Center at Vassar Brothers Medical Ce nter which is 15 min from my apartment. Mt. Sinai is looking for a match.
I am open to changing the BMT team I go to as well. Also self-referred to palliative care at Valley and transferring to Palliative here at Dyson Cancer Center/Vassar.

I too am happy you advocated for yourself. I am at COH in Duarte Ca and i have had all three PA's here and they regularly use a local like Lidocaine for the location of the biopsy. I have been told that sedation is an option, but i have not needed it. As to the needle, I am nearly sure my 30 plus years donating blood then platelets at the Red Cross leaves me little bugged by those needle sticks. For me it is a pressure, deep, but not painful. Here in Mayo connect land, there have been many posting that sedation is the way to go. Truth told, as a BMT patient, I have had 5 BMB so far. I am all for finding the location for treatment that listens and gives you a voice in the choices.
I heard one person say when asking why a procedure was being done, was told by the Dr because that is the way we have always done it. NO NO NO. What is the legitimate purpose and is it necessary for what i am being treated for.
Come check here, as someone will know.