Have you ever done something so so stupid that each time you look back you shudder, what shoulda coulda woulda
Sometime back, I started having a disturbing sensation below my tongue ( Bottom left far corner ) like getting popcorn kernel stuck between teeth or gum which is the most annoying feeling ever.
I rushed for a quick checkup with my Dentist because he had recently completed a major 2 yearlong operation, I actually imagined he had left bits or pieces of his equipment, it happens but no, nothing. Just to be sure he called in another Doctor to examine me. A few probes here and there he concluded that it was a blood clot which can be surgically removed albeit I have to be admitted between 7am and 10am, I told him to go right ahead.
I left home at 6am, driving myself to hospital, checking in at 6.30am and was ready for the minor surgery. My family was oblivious.
I decided to take beautiful pictures of the Sunrise from my Seaview room and what a beautiful day it was, sort of before and after shots.
The only picture I uploaded and posted on Facebook , even as early as that I received a comment wondering why I was in hospital so early from a cousin , I brushed it off that I had gone to visit a patient .
I was in high spirits, was asked to remove all my jewelry and make up and deposit them with the Sister or head nurse. It dawned on me that I was going under the knife, what if I did not wake up? For the first time I realized nobody knew where I was!!
With 20 minutes to spare I frantically started sending out text messages to a few friends, plus last minute shots just in case. I did not want to worry any family member; it had been a turbulent year. What if these were my last pictures on earth?!
The last thing I remembered was being wheeled into the theatre and seeing my Doctor present, he asked me to count from 1 until 10 , I must have blacked out at number 3.
Catgut (it’s actually from Goats) suture and a very dull needle later I was wheeled back to my room.
I waited to recover before driving myself back home in time for lunch, or so I thought.
Shock unto me. My Doctor was standing next to 2 nurses , he was holding a little clear bottle with a red top. Inside this bottle was some kind of brownish fluid with something that looked like a Golf-Ball, The Doctor informed me that whatever he intended to operate and remove was a tiny bit of blood clot but instead he had found the Golf-ball sized specimen of a thing, only God knew what it was, my fear was he had accidentally removed my salivary glands!!
I was informed that he needed my consent to do a biopsy which would take a couple of days, but meanwhile I had been stitched up, and could be discharged at noon. I did not need to come back to remove the stitches as they would be absorbed by the gum tissues, grateful much.
Biopsy? Isn’t that like for cancer patients? My mind was in turmoil, did I make a mistake coming to the hospital without informing my family? What news was I going to give them when I reached home? Believe it or not, I drove myself home and went straight to bed ( They had forgotten to give me pain killers ) I woke up screaming and that was how they found out I had checked myself into hospital and drove myself home after the “minor” surgery. Please DO NOT try that at home.
I never gave anyone the news about the biopsy, a week later I got the good news that the cyst was benign, I was grateful to be alive!! It had been a close shave,
To me , every Sunrise tells me that I can do anything and each Sunset tells me not to lose hope.
I have seen many Moons since 2012, even encountered Gorillas.
Life has been good.
This was one Incident that sobered me up to life, If I went missing, who would miss me? who would look for me ? after how long ? Who are my real Friends?
I am grateful to that ONE friend who later called to check up on me. I told that friend all is well with me, no Cancer, no worries.
Today I receive news that a close friend has been diagnosed with throat Cancer. I’m still reeling in shock.
We’re not supposed to have hundreds of friends. We’re supposed to find those few who’ll carry us when we can’t move. It can take years, sometimes a lifetime, to find them, you shouldn’t always be rich in friends, but you should always be rich in good judgment.
Life is too short to remove the USB properly. Live everyday as if your last.
Carpe diem
carolinekere 