July 31st, 2013 – 2.18 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

This was a just a quick run to settle my mind and my nerves before my biopsy today. I ran in the park which is unusual for me. It was a perfect day for it and I didn’t want to waste it. So I geared up and hit the door!

I didn’t try to make this run be anything other than a mental health activity. If I decided I wanted to rage and scream and sprint, I’d let that happen. If I wanted to just coast along easily and enjoy the birds chirping and the children playing, I’d let that happen. If I decided to just walk and contemplate life and death, I’d let that happen too.

Turned out, I just wanted to run. And run I did. It felt good. After about 20 minutes, I headed home.

First, I had to decide what I was going to wear. My instructions were to wear comfortable clothes and a loose fitting shirt. Sounds like running garb to me! So I donned my Boston Pride T-Shirt and pulled on some running shorts!

This is just another Finish Line. I got this!
Let’s roll!


Here I am getting my vitals checked.

Blood Pressure and pulse are a little high. Quite understandable, I’m scared outta my wits.

Wrist band ID, so I don’t get lost.

And here is the dreaded table, where I will be face-down for the better part of an hour while one of my Girls will be impaled by a professional. I will be raised about 3 to 4 feet while the doctor works underneath me, through that hole in the middle.

This is me, robe open in front and ready to go.

This is the biopsy machine. It’s a high-tech vacuum that will take 6 tissue samples.

This is me, face down on the table, locked in place, with a brave smile and Michael Jackson being pumped into my brain. Let’s go!

Well, it’s all over now and here is the mammogram after the biopsy. I can’t tell you what they were looking for, other than suspicious cells. Let us pray that they don’t find any.

They gave me some information on what breast calcifications might mean. I thought I’d share since this is a very prevalent issue and some might be interested.

Here I am, after being discharged. I’m waiting for Chris to come pick me up.

I was given very strict instructions to NOT run home after the procedure. The Breast Center is only 2.5 miles from my house and my original plan was to just go ahead and run home afterward. No dice. The doctor said, no running for 48 hours. *sigh*


Here is the cute little pillow they gave me to hide the ice pack that was currently stuffed in my brassiere over my incision and bandages.

And here I am, recovering at home. It’s not as bad as the bandages make it appear but there is some bleeding and a little soreness for several hours afterward.

And here is a bottle of my very favorite wine and the goal is to get to the bottom of it.

This was a major milestone for me. Precarious footing on a path I’d never taken before. I’m still on that path and I have no idea what’s coming.
Am I afraid? Yes.
Do I feel powerless? Absolutely!
Do I feel hopeless? Never!
For I have built my hope on things Eternal and I know He watches over me.