The Difficult Hurdle

As the day of surgery approaches, the mind makes a mental list of what we wanted and have not done....raising a family, vacations..... Each time fear sets in, we prayed together and strength is drawn to take on yet another day.

The Lord blessed us with a team of dedicated and experienced doctors. Upon admission, doctors were working on the case till 10 the night before the surgery and nurses even introduced the operating and recuperating facitilies for additional comfort.

Facing the unkown unsettles the mind and heart with much anticipation and fear.... At that point, it is pure reflection from the heart on what things in life means most..... how to let go of all the things planned in life if things don't turn out well.

Dawn approaches and preparations were underway for surgery scheduled at 7.30am. Nurses and aides bustled around and it was time to make headway to the operating theatre. When the doors of the theatre closed, our hearts said a silent message... a message of encouragement and love.

4 hours became 6 hours and soon it became 8 hours. Family and friends from all regions anxiously waited for news... finally after 9 hours at 6.30pm the theatre doors opened and the surgery was over.

The surgery was considered successful even though the main tumor could not be fully removed as the tumor was found to be attached to the heart. The surgeon skillfully removed as much tumor possible and 10 pints of blood was infused.

It is now the road to recovery as the biospy showed 95% dead tissues and a few cycles of chemo will kill the rest of cancer cells in the body. With quiet determination, recovery from surgery was quick and smooth.