Waiting for breast biopsy results can be a stressful time. Discover two effective strategies to help combat worry and anxiety during this waiting period.
Waiting for Breast Biopsy Results: 2 Things to Combat Worry
- The book Cancer Is NOT a Disease – It’s a Healing Mechanism
- Deciding to Worship God, no matter what the report says
This blog post was inspired by my friend and business colleague.
She emailed requesting a meeting. I declined because I was too busy getting ready for the Ohio wellness center trip.
Then she emailed this…
“I found out on Friday afternoon that I have breast cancer. I was able to meet with a surgeon yesterday.
And I told my mom about it this morning.
I didn’t know if you had found one or two things that made a big difference in any of the decisions you made in your journey that you’d strongly recommend I look into.
Sending you a long-distance hug as you do everything to get ready for your trip!”
I emailed her back and jumped on a call that afternoon.
She was the 4th friend in less than a year to get diagnosed with cancer. They all asked the same question, “What is the one thing that helped you after being diagnosed?” I shared the same 2 things with these 4 precious ladies.
I pray this blog encourages and combats worry!
These are the two things that made the biggest difference while waiting for the ultrasound and biopsy results (6 weeks).
Difference Maker #1: The Book Cancer Is NOT a Disease – It’s a Healing Mechanism
Two of my friends diagnosed with cancer aren’t Christians. I think it’s great to have resources if someone doesn’t have hope of miraculous healing and faith like you in Jesus.
I also recommended this book to my two friends who are Christians. But advised them, “To ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to truth and whatever isn’t for you, skip those sections of the book.”
When I told my 3 sisters, I got a good report that the biopsy result came back benign, but another doctor didn’t agree. They were confused and worried.
One of my sisters read the book. It helped her make lifestyle changes as she wanted to understand how I was feeling.
I think this book is great for you, the one waiting for breast biopsy results. It’s helpful for your spouse to be supportive while you make major budget or diet changes.
I also used this book to disrupt people’s negative mindset and shock their frontal lobe. People would say, “Oh no, I’m so sorry, that’s terrible news.”
I’d reply, “Actually, I feel really empowered. I have a great team I’m working with. I believe cancer isn’t a disease. It’s a healing mechanism.”
It is weird how people react when you tell them about the breast cancer diagnosis.
Many people distance themselves. It’s too hard. They probably didn’t work through the grief of losing a loved one to cancer in the past, so they just stopped being your friend.
While others you didn’t expect become a great support system.
In the meantime, while waiting for breast biopsy results, this book is great on Audible. I went almost daily to Ocean Beach with my feet in the sand, listening to this book.
Difference Maker #2: Deciding to Worship God, No Matter What the Report Says
God did not give you cancer! Remember who you are fighting. No matter what the report, test, lab, or your doctor says, decide to sing praises to God. He will NEVER leave you during this cancer journey. He is faithful. If you are mad at Him or your primary care doctor, remember we don’t fight against flesh and blood. The enemy is here to steal, kill, and destroy you.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 NASB
I remember being in NYC getting a second opinion. I checked into the Hyatt Hotel at Grand Central Station. Exhausted from traveling, worried I might have a panic attack like the last time I was in NYC on a subway, and overwhelmed about potentially moving to NYC for treatment for a year.
I got ready for bed, did The Emotion Code releasing of trapped emotions, and turned on Spotify for worship.
I said, “I’ll worship until the commercial comes on.”
1 hour later, no commercials! LOL
I felt strong. I released fears. Team Jesus and His angels had my back. I slept great.
Worry is Your Cue to Worship
I like peace and quiet most of the time. My husband and I have worked from home together for 9 years. It is quiet during the work day. Even in the car, we don’t turn on the radio. We talk to pray together while driving.
Before this cancer journey, my morning routine was to make a green tea and read my Bible or do the homework for whatever women’s group I was a part of.
But with all the fear, worry, and anxiety around a breast cancer diagnosis. Reading the Bible was hard at the beginning. So I started turning on worship music while getting ready for the day, taking a bath to relax, or laying on my office floor stretching. I felt better. More calm and peaceful.
“Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19 NIV
I also cut out caffeine for a bit when anxiety was high. But coffee is amazing. It’s NOT high in phytoestrogens, so I had to figure out another way to combat anxiety.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
What’s cool about worship is if you are focused, you can be right there in the throne room with Jesus in 10 seconds. On other days, you are annoyed, and it takes 3 songs to change your state.
Wnat more support conquering fear? Read this blog, “Breaking Free From Decisions Based on Fear.”
Worship is a Weapon
There are multiple stories in the Bible that talk about shouting and praising to win battles. Here’s one about King Jehoshaphat and what looked like an impossible victory.
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” 2 Chronicles 20:17-22
In the biggest battle of his life, he chose to praise God as his weapon.
Here are a couple more verses to empower you.
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4
“May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands.” Psalm 149:6
Amy Keesee Freudiger talks more about this in her book, The 30-Day Healing Dare. She talks about praising God for your victory even if you are still in pain and still waiting to experience healing in the physical realm.
Worship YouTube Channels
A friend made me a worship Spotify playlist. It was full of songs talking about healing. But then I found churches that posted weekly worship sets on YouTube. 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 90 minutes. You can set your alarm to workshop live or watch the replay.
IDK, it feels different than listening to the produced Spotify songs.
Charis Bible College
They post weekly Worship sets of 30 minutes. Many of the sermons that are over 90 minutes will start with worship.
Wednesdays at 12 PM PST, they do Healing Now. Acoustic Worship and a healing-focused sermon.
Jesus Image
My friend Tiffany bought me a ticket for their Jesus Tour in Irvine. Robert and I have been listening to their worship services for the past couple of months.
Song #2 is amazing! Skip or listen to the whole worship.
They do Thursday Morning Worship.
Bride Ministries
They have worship on Sundays at 8 AM PST. The worship leader is fun, and in this worship set, I think made up this catchy Bob Marley-style song. I’ve been singing it throughout the week.
How Long Does Waiting for Breast Biopsy Results Take?
It typically takes 2 to 3 days to get breast biopsy results back if you are at a cancer center or university hospital, where everything is done on location.
I got the same masses biopsied three times.
The first time, I was told it was benign. Thank goodness for a good report! I was relieved and we could go back to our plan of getting pregnant last summer.
But when I got the breast MRI, I could have a lumpectomy. The radiologist reading that test ordered another biopsy. She wanted to do it herself and questioned her colleague who performed the last one.
Then, when my primary care doctor referred me to UCSD, they wanted to repeat all the labs and tests. They said I couldn’t do consults unless I re-did the labs again, even though some I had just done 1 week prior.
What are breast cancer tests?
- Ultrasound
- Mammogram
- Biopsy
- Breast MRI
- PET scan
When I got second opinions at Memorial Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson, they also wanted to repeat all the labs. One place wouldn’t let me book cash consultations unless I also paid for the repeat labs in cash.
I get it. Worrying while waiting is tough.
Picking the best and right team takes time.
But thank goodness most breast cancer is slow-growing. You have time to make decisions. Never feel pressured or rushed in booking a surgery or chemo.
If you haven’t changed your meal plan yet. Start HERE, read my blog, get the 7-day meal plan, and enjoy a bit of confidence-building control.
