For the past 10 years, I have been putting off an important surgery. I had a growing bunion on my right foot that was creating pain and made my foot look deformed. I was embarrassed for other people to see it so often I would cross one leg in front of the other to hide this growth and keep questions about it at bay.
As it sometimes happens, when I asked for advice from friends and family if they knew of anyone who had a bunionectomy, they often had bad reports. Permanent pain and discomfort. The doctor didn't know what he/she was doing. Regret that they went through the surgery. Long recovery.
4 days before my surgery, I panicked. I made an appointment with my doctor for him to once again, walk me step by step through the process. Although my husband and I found him professional and capable, I was still apprehensive. After the doctor left the room, one of his medical assistants came in and said "you're in good hands". Just what I needed to hear.
The day of surgery was a flutter of activity. After being prepped, sedated, and wheeled into the operating room, I looked around and there were at least 10 people busily getting ready. Doctors, nurses, residents, anesthesiologists, medical assistants, etc. I said to one of the nurses, "Why are there so many people here?" Her reply: "Because we care about you".
After surgery, I didn't wake up until I was in the recovery room. The doctor made sure I was heavily sedated and that I was given a shot of pretty powerful pain meds.
When I got home, I was chipper and talkative although very tired. I thought "piece of cake"! A friend brought dinner for me and we chatted for a while. However, at about 2 am I woke up in excruciating pain. Thankfully, my doctor had prescribed pain meds to get me through the next 5 days.
The first 72 hours were horrific, but by the end of the first week, I was feeling more like myself.
I have been blessed with wonderful friends who check in on me regularly. Many homemade meals arrived at our house in the weeks that followed surgery. My husband rose to the task of caring for me full-time and keeping up with preparing meals and doing dishes. I know this was probably quite taxing.
I have 2 wonderful adult sons who came home on weekends, and they were able to help me get around, do groceries and help their Dad with chores around the house.
I was also blessed with a wonderful surgeon who researched and discovered a new technique that would reverse the damage to my foot.
My tendency is often to look at situations and think in terms of "worst-case scenario". However, in this instance, things worked out in the end, as they have many other times in my life.
I'm still recovering but I have hope that I will be walking again soon.
May your lives be filled with hope, even in the midst of suffering and difficulty.