Well, I've scheduled my muscle biopsy.  I was able to get an appointment for Tuesday, February 21 -- sooner than I expected.  That's next week!

I'm honestly very nervous about this procedure because they'll be cutting a chunk of muscle out of my left arm (bicep).  It's called an "open biopsy" because they actually open up the skin and muscle. 

I will be wide awake with only a local anesthetic to numb the pain of the initial incision; however, the muscle itself will not receive any pain medication.  They said numbing of the actual muscle can damage the sample.  I wonder if they'll at least give me something to relax.

The doctor said I will feel the cutting of the muscle.  I don't know about you, but that sounds horrible to me.  And painful.