Trusting through the Unknown

Biopsy – April 17th

My mom took me to my biopsy appointment that morning, while Andy went with Graysen to another doctor’s visit. He met us at the hospital just before my procedure.

When Dr. Longo—a very young-looking doctor—walked into the room, she began explaining what to expect. As she talked, she mentioned they would be taking a sample from my right lumbar vertebrae. I waited until she stopped and then asked, “Is there a reason you’re taking it from the right side when it’s my left side that’s been hurting?” She stopped for a moment and said, “No, you’re absolutely right—it is the left side.” 

Well… if that didn’t do much for my confidence.

I also asked what it actually meant to do a bone biopsy. She explained that it would be a needle biopsy using imaging guidance, and that they would take two small bone samples. She had a great sense of humor and reassured me that everything was precisely programmed, so she really couldn’t miss the spot.

As the nurse came in to get me ready to go back, Andy—true to form—kept talking and asking questions. Anyone who knows Andy can probably picture that. Finally, my mom stepped in and said, “Andy, you need to stop talking so they can take her back.”

When we got into the procedure room, the mood lightened a bit as we started chatting. I mentioned that my daughter was having three friends over that night for a sleepover to celebrate her 13th birthday. I’m usually the one who makes the cakes, but this time Grandma was stepping in to make our favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. One of the nurses asked if I had ever had tres leches cake and started describing it—it sounded amazing.

Then it was time to get into position. I climbed onto a very narrow exam table, unsure where to put my hands as I lay face down. Since they needed to reposition me during the procedure, they had me lift up into a sort of plank so they could slide a sheet underneath me. Then they wrapped me up tightly—like a mummy—so I wouldn’t move.

As everything was getting set, I heard someone say, “Okay, we’re doing the right side.” At that point, I wasn’t sure if they were joking, but I quickly said, “It’s the left—the left side.”

I was awake during the procedure, though I must have drifted in and out because I don’t remember much—not even seeing Dr. Longo.

When they wheeled me back to recovery, I remember asking the nurse again for the name of that cake. We had to stay a few more hours before I could go home. My mom gave me a hug and headed back to help get things ready for the birthday sleepover, while Andy stayed with me. I ended up napping for a couple of hours, and before long, they were getting me ready to go.

We asked how long it would take to get the results, and they said typically 3–5 business days—which meant waiting through the weekend. But they also mentioned that Dr. Hake tends to move things along quickly. Since we already had an appointment scheduled with him the following Wednesday, we were hopeful he’d have answers by then.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t too sore afterward. Before bed that night, I asked my mom what the biopsy site looked like. She said, “I think I can see it,” which made me realize it was much smaller than it had felt in my mind.

We kept things pretty low-key over the weekend. My dad came down on Saturday after state bowling, and on Sunday, my cousin Brian and his wife Jen stopped by for a visit. Monday, I had an MRI of my head to check for any cancer in that area. Tuesday was the first day with no appointments, and I was able to just be present and enjoy time with my parents.

The waiting in all of this has been the hardest part. There are so many unknowns—so much that’s out of our control. Letting go and trusting God has truly been a test for me. I’ve been incredibly grateful for all the messages, prayers, and encouragement. My friend Cindy shared a song with me that I listened to right before the biopsy, and it brought me a sense of peace. 

Katy Nichole - "In Jesus Name (God of Possible)"