Ok,let's do it this way....
My name is David and I had been confined to this bed for what felt like an eternity.My journey began with a diagnosis of what they refer to as"hirschsprung disease"(a condition that effects the large intestine, thereby causing problems with passing stools)which led to multiple surgeries,including mer having a colostomy(creating a hole in the abdomen for stool to pass through instead of the anus) and after that an ileostomy(an opening created in the abdomen for the small intestine to the outside of the body)The road to recovery was very long,with countless days,months and years of pain,fear and uncertainty.
But I wasn't alone in my struggles(there are family and friends who stood by me).My hospital room became a community.There was Matthew my bedmate,who had been involved in a gruesome accident on his way to NYSC orientation camp.His injuries were very severe and we often wondered if he might ever walk again.Yet Matthew remain unbothered and always lively, keeping his hopes high.He would smile,joke and even encourage me.
One morning,during the early Tuesday morning rounds,I started hearing some things in his end of the bed,normally they should drop his curtain to do what they wanted to,but that morning it was different.His doctor gave him a very shocking news,miraculously something had happened to his,is it bones or tendons,I can't recall,if the test to be done in Lagos also came out same,then he has a 90%chance of walking again.....what a wow... hr started some little exercise,walks and all with support of two people always by his side..
He traveled for the test ad came back with same result, his joy new no bounds,that gave me hope too,I congratulated him and we hugged,his recovery was a testimony, it happened too fast,it was indeed a miracle.
As Matthew packed,I looked forward to the day I will too.But little did I know, another surprise awaited me.
Later that year,a hospital administrator entered our room with an unusual smile."David, we've received an anonymous donation that covers not only your medical bills but some other patients."I was stunned,how timely,I was unsure of how to process this extraordinary news.Tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes as I thought about the weight lifted off my family's shoulders.It was a very happy and fulfilling day for me,I wished u knew who the person was, but he wanted to remain anonymous.My parents had exhausted their savings,exhausted the loans they collected and totally broke,as at then,we were financially down...totally.This generous act reminded me that compassion still existed in the world(there and then I decided to render same help if ever In a position too).
The months that followed were of various treatments,therapy sessions and as they said "progress", which I couldn't see,the colostomy had been dealt with only to come with something they said is better but to me is much worse, an ileostomy.I encountered numerous healthcare professionals each with their unique approach and bedside manner.There was Nurse Vic with this gentle touch and reassuring smile,and Dr. Hammed, whose expertise and confidence inspired me.
On the longrun,I was to go in for my 7th operation,it wasn't funny,I have always gone in for reversal and would come out with another thing again,I went in for colostomy reversal then that ead how I came out with an ileostomy, waiting by the theater entrance, I looked at my dad, mum,siblings, church members all trying to reassure me,well I haven't given up to,just some few minute to me being wheeled in,something came to my mind, to pray,but I have,I never stopped all this years, everyone has prayed with me also, but the thing came again,to pray it differently this time, it was then I understood,I had always prayed not to come out with what I was being taken in for and sincerely,I won't come out with same thing but with something else,so this time around,I prayed not to come out with anything at all,the reversal should be successful,if I would be coming out with anything then it's better for GOD to just let go of me to rest.
"David, you're free,your ileostomy have been reversed and this time " successfully " that was what I heard immediately I opened my eyes,I couldn't process any if it, upon realizing, I quickly stood up in a sitting position to check,but the pain sent me back,but then I was more than relieved, I was more than grateful.
Words couldn't express how I feel,my joy new no bounds as I left the hospital,after some few weeks of test and some"you must fart"you must pass feases"and I did,it felt as if I was reborn,those were things I haven't done via the anus in years....
The experiences I endured had transformed me,taught.I thought about Matthew now walking and running without assistance and the anonymous donor who had given me a second chance when sll hope was lost.
In the end,my hospital stay,though prolonged and challenging became a defining chapter in my life.It reminded me that even in the darkest moments,there is always a glimmer of light and a reason to hold on.
As I stepped into the bright sunlight, I knew that I would carry the lessons of my hospital journey with me forever and that they would continue to shape me into a grateful,kinder,stronger,wiser,compassionate and more empathetic person.
All pictures are mine.
There are various entries organized by @leogrowth.
This post is in collaboration with the @cleanplanet community and an entry to day 9 of #decemberinleo in #inleo,I am inviting you to also check it out,so as to partake in various interesting writing prompts.
Posted Using InLeo Alpha