“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
After my first biopsy, (the one I mentioned in my first post), I went the next year in the very same month to have my mammogram. This time, the mammogram had another surprise. My previous lump had disappeared, but I had new calcifications in a different place in the same breast. I didn’t even know what “calcifications” were. The radiologist explained they were like pencil-size dots and that I needed a biopsy.
I was afraid again! He said that 80% of the time they are benign and only 20% were malignant. I was praying to be part of the 80% group.
Again, the biopsy took place on a Friday. I guess it’s their favorite day to do biopsies.
This time I was more nervous, I was afraid, but I was positive in my thoughts, trusting God in his care for me. I knew nothing takes him by surprise, so I was reminding myself of this.
Laying on the same uncomfortable operating table with my breast hanging from a hole, the doctor poked me with the long needle to apply the anesthesia. This time the pain and burning were there for more than 10 seconds…uff, are we done yet? I was feeling a lot of pain, so I told him about it, and he said he will give me more anesthesia, that meant he had to poke me again.
He then proceeded to take the sample, but I was feeling everything. Would you please apply more anesthesia? I don’t think I have enough. I’m feeling a lot of pain. I told him.
He re-applied anesthesia with the long needle but I was feeling everything again. What is going on? I asked. He then told me he was going to apply more anesthesia. At the end of the third try, I was still feeling pain, but I just remembered (as an internal joke to myself), that I came from “Jalisco, Mexico” the land of the tequila, mariachi, and the “machista” culture, where you must be tough and overcome the difficulties of being a woman. So, I convinced myself I could go through that. I just wanted to be done with it.
The reality is that I remembered Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Finally, the doctor took the sample, and it was done. I was in so much pain. I don’t even recall how long I was there.
One more time, I had to wait for the long weekend and then my doctor would call with the results. That would be the call I wish I never had.