As time ticks on, we started with my bear days and that was supposed to be the end of it. The doctor at the time was so sure about that, until they went in and found something untoward. So that led to a cycle of getting an MRI, waiting nervously for the results, leaving relieved and then getting another MRI. It was going on for a bit without any changes so, after a year of this, I went to a results-receiving appointment fully expecting to be told I did not need to come back so often. No such luck. They had found something and it needed to come out.
So another person with a knife got to have his way with my belly. Recovery was a lot more difficult that I expected; apparently when someone cuts into your stomach muscle and leaves a hole, covered by mesh, it can take forever to be okay. So I now have an interesting numb half-belly (or is that half-numb belly?) among other oddities. It does make for great parlour tricks - I can prick myself and it will kinda tickle (and yes, still bleed!).
I carried on, working my way back to a better me. I carried on, working my way to loving the new, different me. I worked my way back to a stronger me. And then, one day I woke up with a stomach ache that earned me a tube. It was a special tube. A man who somehow convinced me that it wouldn't hurt (I blame the morphine) threaded a tube through my nose and ran it all they way down into my belly. And there the tube stayed for days. And again, I conquered it.
Oh but the relapses. It seems my stomach gets tired sometimes and stops working as it should. I can't blame it - it has been through a lot. That said, it gets challenging when the mere act of eating can lead to an emergency room visit. So, the time has come again - they're going into the belly again. Oh yes. There may be smoke, probably mirrors too. After all that, I shall arise and be able to face a salad without fear.
And, as always, I'll be back!!!!
