It is amazing how things can work out when the time is right. Right now, everything is pre-hysterectomy or post-hysterectomy. I call the during-hysterectomy "the twilight zone" because it was like a Bermuda Triangle of my consciousness.
Although for the past 10 years, the 'threat' of a hysterectomy due to fibroids had been a nagging fear, I would never had intentionally walked into Dr Tan, my gynaecologist's office and announce that I was finally ready for it. It took extreme stress at the workplace and home to cause my physical meltdown on 21 May when I was with Khong, my ever faithful brother at his Chinese sinseh's clinic. When the pain struck, it was debilitating, and took away every ounce of my self-confidence. Fortunately, KH (OMITH) was able to reach the clinic in a short time. I had found myself with acupuncture needles. By the time we reached the hospital, I was an emotional wreck. However, the sight of the wheelchair jolted me into fury - that is, until I realised I could not get down from the car.
The GP at the ER, Dr Azizal was a most understanding young doctor. He listened to me, then shared his views about the suffering his own mom had gone through before her hysterectomy. He reminded me that I had reached the crossroad where I had to decide whether I wanted a quality life. KH and I were at Dr Tan's clinic on Monday. He was very decisive - after hearing the ordeal I had gone through, he called and booked the urologist and surgery room on 2 June. I had sealed my fate then.
The next few days was a flurry of activities - marking my exam papers, handing over my duties in school and getting my will drawn up by my lawyer. KH and Khong were upset with the latter action, but Mr Karuna, my lecturer would have been proud of me.
When the time is right, everything in the universe seemed to align itself. I finished marking at 11 the night before surgery, spoke to my sister who had undergone the same op two years ago, and struggled to fall asleep. We (minus Jean, who was sitting for crucial exams) arrived at the hospital at 6a.m. To cut a long story short, everything went accordingly. The only difference was that the surgery took 4 hours instead of the expected 90 minutes, and the fibroids were bigger than we expected. Dr Tan lived up to his reputation as a skilled surgeon. His positive attitude was very contagious.
Weird, but I recall the feeling of immense health and lightness the minute I regained consciousness. I am still on leave, and enjoying every minute as a lady of leisure till this Friday. Up to now, everything that had gone wrong has been corrected. How blessed I am to have such a supportive family and kind friends and colleagues. What an eventful year this is, and it is just reaching the halfway point!
