My First Surgery Experience

Some of you might know that last year in April, while we were in quarantine, I had a thrombosis on my left leg. I didn’t know what that was, much less that it had happened to me. All I knew is that one morning there was a huge black bruise on my leg. It is not uncommon for me to forget if I hit myself somewhere and later see the bruise, so I figured I must have hit myself somewhere. Unlike any other bruise, this one hurt much more, and it was painful to even walk. Even just feeling the clothes caress it hurt. Unfortunately, I don’t tend to fret over myself when I hurt, so I figured in time it would go away. Besides I could not go anywhere since everyone was in quarantine, and I was sure not going to the hospital over this. Even so, I felt I eventually needed to have it checked out. It was until August that I went to the doctor, and he told me what it was. He also suggested I get surgery since I still had a vein that could result in another thrombosis. It was not urgent but it had to be done. Apparently it could be fatal.

I won’t get into detail about our healthcare system in Mexico, but in short it would be best to pay it out of pocket. I made it a point to start saving, but also a friend took it upon herself to share my situation with our friends, and by God’s grace many contributed for this surgery. So much so that I practically had what I needed for the surgery by October. As a side note, I am so grateful for the dear friends that God has brought into my life and made them my family. They have not only encouraged me with their prayers, but also in any way they can, financially, morally, and spiritually; they have been such a constant means of grace. You know who you are, and please know how much I love you and am grateful for you. I would not be who I am or where I am if it were not by God’s grace and sovereignty in using you in being that support and encouragement in my life.

I decided to postpone the surgery because of the adoption, everything was up in the air, and it seemed it might be quick. So I did not want to be tied up in recovery if I needed to go to any appointments necessary for the adoption. Also, December and the beginning of January I needed to be available to help out in the Ranch with the kids. Usually Christmas and New Year’s I get to help out more, and so I needed to be recovered. Long story short, I ended up postponing the surgery till Monday, May 17th. I had originally gone to a surgeon in Chihuahua but decided to lookup a surgeon in Juarez and made an appointment. After that, I thought it best to wait for the adoption to be more final, so that my surgery would not get in the way in case I needed to travel.

There is something God is teaching, more like reminding me during this whole surgery ordeal. As I usually do, I minimized the event, and thought about the logistics very practically. At first, I thought I could get a ride when they went to get groceries for the Ranch, which would have meant I would just be dropped off at the hospital. Because I was not sure if that was the day they would go, I opted to ask a friend and coworker here at the Ranch to take me and since she is from Juarez, she could wait with her family till I was released from the hospital.

I recently wrote about God’s sovereignty, and part of it is also listening to what He puts in your heart and mind. That morning as I was getting ready, I felt the sense that I should take all the cash I had in case they would not accept a card. I had asked about that, but somehow still felt uneasy about it. I don’t like carrying or having much cash around, but somehow I had two thirds of the cost of the surgery. When we got to the hospital, my little independent self got off and handed over the keys to my friend and was about to walk in by myself. I am so grateful she insisted in accompanying me. She was a life safer. Turns out, somebody had to sign for me too and remember the cash….there was 8% fee if I paid with a card, even a debit card. So not only did my friend have to go and exchange some dollars I had, but also go to the ATM to get the rest of the money I needed. It’s in moments like these, I am so grateful for God’s intervention and lessons we learn as we obey Him.

I had been told my surgery would be at noon, but it was moved up to 10 am. I was out by noon, but even at 5 pm I still felt some of the anesthesia. My friend came for me and we stopped shortly at a pharmacy for some medication the doctor had prescribed. We had barely made it to the parking when I begun throwing up. The water I drank and the movement did not agree with me. [After sharing my little adventure with my friend, she commented that I was not supposed to drink water so soon because of the anesthesia. I had never had surgery or been hospitalized, so I had no idea of the protocols and it was funny going through this ordeal on my own. I had forgotten that in Mexico, nurses are more like doctors, they only do their thing and one is to have a family member help you and be at your beck and call. ]

In moments like these I am grateful for the people God has placed in my life. I’ve come to learn and was reminded of the beauty of community. Not all of us have a mom, dad, or siblings who are able to be there in those times. Yet in God’s sovereign care He makes sure you have others who can give you a hand when you need it. May my experience encourage you to embrace the help of others, cause no matter how independent you are, eventually you will need others. What’s more, God may have already placed them in your life. My prayer is that we all would be aware of the people God has brought into our lives and see how special they are that we would value and appreciate them and learn to bless them as well.