This is when a sample of bone marrow tissue is taken, and if that is not enough, a core sample (biopsy) is also taken. Both procedures involve the insertion of approximately 6 inches of - an elephant tranquilising dart sized diameter - needle into the pelvis at the back of the hip. Local anaesthetic is administered to the area to relive the pain, but it doesn't really help when somebody is wrenching and churning a massive needle right into your hip.

I can only say I was glad not to have seen the size of the needles before there were shoved in my hip, because I would have refused. Apart from causing a great deal of discomfort, the aim was to have some bone marrow tissue in order to carry out detailed tissue and marrow tests to determine exactly what type of CML (chronic myeloid leukaemia) existed as the management and treatment of leukaemia varies depending on what type of leukaemia the patient/victim has.

(See 'What is it?' for more information on leukaemias).