Saturday, October 15, 2011

I wanna hold your hand...

On the post called "You want fries with that?" I referred to a double MRI-guided needle biopsy. I'd like to revisit that for a sec.

This procedure?
Is crazy.

They DO inject your breasts with a local anesthetic called lidocaine. But at one point, on the first side, when she was using the biopsy drilly-thing, she hit a nerve. It felt like an ice pick. I hollered, and I'm not a hollerer. I yanked back, forgetting in the pain of the moment that my breasts were compressed in a mammogram-type apparatus. After the combination of these three things: nerve+holler+yank, I pretty much had had enough. I began to weep, big fat tears that ran down my nose onto the machine. (I was face-down, remember) My body was shaking. It was awful.

At this point, when I was feeling just DONE, I felt someone take my hand. She didn't just touch my hand, she HELD it firmly. It calmed me in a way I cannot explain. My breathing evened out. The radiologist completed the procedure. My tears dried.

When I was flipped over and being bandaged, I looked around at the seven women who stood in the room. I asked, "Who held my hand?" They all pointed to one gal. I said to her, "You need to keep doing that. I was NOT gonna make it. And when you held my hand, that changed. Thank you for doing that." She smiled and said, "Sometimes it's just what you need."

A couple days later, as I was replaying this traumatic event, I had the most wonderful epiphany. It dawned on me that the people I have in my life are ALL the kind of people who would have done what this gal did. God has blessed me with HAND HOLDERS.

This blows me away. You know why?

Because not everyone has friends like this. I am a woman blessed. Lord, help me to remember.

8 comments:

Timsha said...

WOW! (which is short for "water on water"!) Wow! to you, girl!

virg3kids said...

I also had to have a needle locator .and then get a ride to the hospital with the wire sticking out of me! I was in the hospital gown. I said, great I know 1/2 the town and will run into someone I know. Thankfully, they let me wear my pants....you are never ever far from my thoughts. I am holding your hand from a distance.

christie said...

Thanks, Virg! It's crazy what they put us through!

Dawn said...

Big, fat, wet tears. Holding your hand in my heart...

Anonymous said...

Christie,
You know(sweet Rhonda)told me about your blog. I just want you to know that your words on here are such an inspiration to me. I am truly amazed at your courage and strength. You have such incredible people surrounding you and covering you in prayer. Please know that I will be praying for you and your children. And...remember Christie that Jesus is holding your hand the whole way through this situation. He will never let go!!!

Carrie said...

Christie, you made me cry too lady. You are an amazing lady and i know you will get through this crazy hard time. I too, am amazed by your courage and strength. I feel blessed by your friendship and cannot wait to walk with you thru the good times and the bad times. Thanks for welcoming me in to your life. You are in my daily prayers. Love ya!

Jean said...

Christie, You were my sponsor in Confirmation. Held my hand and taught me about the Holy Spirit, I will never forget that special day. God be with you and the Holy Spirit. We are all holding your hand and love you dearly. Love Jean

Anonymous said...

praying, praying, praying
love, love, love
peace be with you! ~ Juli T.