Successful Second Surgery

23/11/18 will be a new set of numbers that hold weight. Another date to celebrate life each year with gratitude and thankfulness.

The surgery was successful, better than expected. Knowing what to expect after surgery I knew I had to prepare my heart and mind for wholeness. I didn’t want to waste any time being in a ‘sick state’ but hit the road to recovery. The scripture came to mind a few days before the surgery happened.

3 John 2-4:

‘Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.’

What I gleaned from the passage was that I had the ability to ensure my soul was prospering before I had the surgery so that after, all my body would do is respond and get well. I walked in that truth by praising, speaking life over my body, filling my time and thoughts with the goodness of God and dwelling on what he has done and will continue to do in my life. I like to think of it as a bank account of health. I deposited health so that when the time came to withdraw my savings, I had more than enough.

The surgery was only 2 hours long and they successfully got the whole tumour out. It was strange to feel such joy and pain at the same time. The pain was an indication that the operation was completed. I remember moving my limbs, wiggling my fingers and toes with relief and joy knowing I was all there and still working. However as I settled and the joy started to fade, the pain started to really get intense. My parents stood round my bed, my mum seeing the pained expression on my face just started to whisper the name ‘Jesus’ over and over again, they both just started speaking it over me as they held my hands. Within moments my pained expression relaxed and my breathing started to regulate, there is power in the name of Jesus! I knew I wasn’t alone in the pain or being consumed by it.

1 John 4:18:

‘There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.’

It was more than just coping or coasting in pain. It was being in the thick and middle of it and being more than a conqueror. It wasn't bigger than my God or circumstance. Despite what makes sense in the natural and the doctors constantly reminding the nurses that ‘this particular brain operation is one of the most painful.’ By the grace of God I was kept over and over again.

Romans 8:37 ‘ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.’

I was in hospital for 5 days after the surgery. I was making great progress. I had to do some relearning of walking properly again and swallowing was a little uncomfortable for a few days but I just continued to get better and did all my after care treatment throughout the day. I would read whenever I was alone, which was a blessing as the last time I had double vision and couldn’t focus my eyes for weeks. The book I read was about finding the goodness of God in life. Each day I would say out loud, ‘God show me your goodness and kindness in this day’ and without fail he would. I had incredible nurses and doctors looking after me as well as my mum who would spend her days with me. It was a blessing they let her in at 11am each day, hours before visiting time.

I was in a good place, getting better and surprised at the ease of post surgery transition the second time round. I was home on the 27th October, all set to get back on track with life. But on the 31st October I went downhill hard and fast.