Well, my latest adventure here in Egypt has involved surgery.  Doesn’t sound like fun, or much of an adventure, does it??

But let me begin:

About four (five) weeks ago, I finally did something I’d been putting off for at least six months.  I’d been having some nasty stomach and abdominal pain off and on, and some not so nasty but not nice abdominal discomfort for a while that I was attempting to ignore.  Finally I went to see the doctor, thinking I would have to go on a strict healthy diet, and give up all that is good in life (namely, chocolate and coffee.  I was feeling a bit hard-done-by, as I’ve already given up diet coke, and the problems weren’t going away…)

It was discovered that I had two monster cysts taking up room in my abdomen, and pressing on the bladder.  Explained a lot of my symptoms, and gave me relief, thinking that maybe an entire life-style change wouldn’t be called for!

After a VERY expensive CT scan, and several ultrasounds (one of which was very cool) it was decided that surgery was in order, and pronto.  Well, actually, the Arabic equivalent…something along the lines of “yesterday.”  It was a total of twelve days from the time the cysts first showed up on the ultrasound screen to the time I was going under for surgery.  Completely unheard of in the Canadian medical system…there are some benefits to paying for medical care.  The other is that test results and xrays actually belong to the patient, so I have some pretty cool pictures of the inside of my body…kinda weird, too.  I’ve learned a lot about my insides…

The week before surgery was a bit crazy.  I got my date Tuesday evening for the next Sunday.  So I began preparing for someone to come in and take my class.  I also felt an urgent need to get my house in order, as I didn’t know whether I’d be out for two weeks, or six weeks or longer.  I was a little bit concerned that all the dust bunnies and kitties would revolt and take over the house if I was out of commission for too long…  Saturday was the longest day…I was at the school from 12 noon until 8pm trying to get the last of my planning and photocopying done, and trying to prepare my room for someone to come in and take over.  But somehow, it got done, and I was able to go home and have a quieter evening after a crazy week.

Sunday we went into the hospital at 10am, and ended up waiting until 1:00pm for the doctor to show…he had a baby to deliver, the nerve!  But by 1:15 they were wheeling me into the elevator (and into several doors and doorstops, I must say) in my sexy, drafty gown, and cozy pink blankets.  Within 10 minutes the anaesthetic was going into my arm, and my eyes were shutting….

Apparently the surgery went very well.  The doctor was able to do the “diet” version of surgery – the laparoscopy – which left me with four tiny incisions, and a belly full of gas, but no cysts.  He said that the surgery took about three hours, due to the size of the cysts and the fact that they found a third one, (and if he had done the full abdominal incision, it would have taken about 30 minutes!)  I am SO thankful that the doctor is a very patient man - patient enough to do the surgery with the scope.  Which means smaller scars, and a MUCH shorter recovery time!

The really neat thing about the whole situation, is the way that God has been looking after me, and us.  Before I even knew about the cysts, people in the congregation were aware that someone was having problems and were praying for us.  A number of people “felt led” specifically to pray for me, and to pray for healing.  Two men in the congregation fasted and prayed for me for three days (thank you so much, guys!)  The night before surgery, I kept checking my belly to see if my “two bumps” were gone.

Although the healing wasn’t instantaneous, I still see very clear evidence of God’s hand in the whole situation.   

For instance, the fact that others knew about the situation before I did and were compelled to fast and pray. 

Also, a wonderful friend who is also a wonderful nurse came with me to one of the initial appointments, and at every step helped me to understand the “medi-speak” and to navigate the Egyptian medical system.  Thank you, Mary!!  You have made this journey soooo much easier and less scary!  You are very good at what you do.  Blessings on you!

In spite of all the possible problems in an Egyptian (or any) hospital, my stay was relatively uneventful, and the care was reasonable.  I also had wonderful friends come and care for me (thank you Samia and Irini!) 

In spite of surgery, pain, and a slightly scary vomiting episode the morning after surgery, healing has been rapid, and mild discomfort more the norm than pain.  Painkillers worked, the incisions are healing cleanly and quickly, and I can see big changes from day to day.  (Aren’t our bodies amazing??)

The community has cared for us and shown us sooo much love.  People have taken my classes (thank you Felicity, Marty, Lesley, Melinda, April, Freddie, Josie, Dorothee, Wendy, and everyone who has stepped in to look after my kiddos!)  People have generously helped us by providing meals, helping with finances, visiting, calling, bringing flowers, and just encouraging us each and every day.  Thank you to all of you…your generosity is amazing.  This is when the Body is what it is meant to be, I think.

The most clear sign to me, however, of God’s care in this situation, is the complete and total absence of fear.  In what had the potential to be a scary and lonely time, there was not a moment where we felt lost, abandoned or despairing.  Emotions were a bit up and down, but at the bottom, under it all, was this rock-solid peace that God has us in the palm of his hand.  There was (and is) a certainty, that no matter what happens, and I mean no matter WHAT…we are going to be okay.  Even if the worst happens, we are safe in His hands, and whatever comes, we have strength from Him to face it, and go on.  Even when the origin of the cysts was unclear, and the possibility of malignancy was in the air, the rock-solid peace and certainty was there.  I have never known it this solidly before.  I also wonder if God has allowed this to show us His hand so clearly.  Merciful, graceful, wonderful Father!  (It is also exciting to wonder what He might do next??)

Anyways, I am healing rapidly, and am starting back to school partial days.  I’m so glad to see my kiddos again…I sure get attached to them.  One little guy told his dad that I had two “potatoes” removed from my belly…not sure how that got lost in translation!  Shortly before I left we read the story “Owl at Home” and the story of Owl’s strange bumps.  Well, I made the mistake of calling my cysts “bumps” and the kids made the connection…it might be quite amusing to hear pint-sized interpretations of the last couple of weeks!

The other interesting development is I have developed a curiosity to see the cysts…so I asked the doctor about photos or footage.  He is going to make a CD for me of the surgery. 

Popcorn and home video, anyone?????