I realized a few months ago that the chunk at the top of my belly seemed to be independent of my belly. For years I’ve made self-deprecating jokes about my “kitty litter belly,” shaped like a litter box, but maybe just a belly full of kitties.
The chunk grew a bit. I ignored it a long bit. Until I realized I was trivializing when I shouldn’t, and perhaps my cavalier disregard for this growth might even be disrespectful of friends who had dealt with the discovery of dangerous bodily growths.
When I finally mentioned it to people in my life, the response was mostly alarm and that tilted-head, raised-brow look.
OK!! I’ll go to the doctor.
And I did. The diagnosis took mere minutes.
A gigantic umbilical hernia!
Happy the Hernia
He didn’t actually say gigantic or use an exclamation point, but it is big, and . . . (exclamation point please) I am so happy!!!! It’s a hernia!! I’ll name it Happy. I don’t have a square belly! I don’t have a tumor! I have a Happy Hernia!
I didn’t think it would be any more serious than a lump of fat, but, what do I know? Sometimes the odd things that appear on our bodies are not only serious, they are life-snuffing. I’ve been on that journey with more than one friend.
This is not one of those journeys.
I’m grateful. I’m grateful for my health. My knees are wrecked, my back is a little crooked, and I have regular bouts of IBS. But, my heart rate is low, my blood pressure is impressive, I don’t take a single medication, and that lump on my belly is just a hernia!
I’m also grateful for my friends and family. They’re the ones who will make sure I sit still long enough to heal after the hernia extraction. If you’re the praying type, pray for them. Sitting still is not listed among the skill sets on my résumé.
©Copyright Pennie Nichols. All Rights Reserved, 2017.
Good luck with the healing and best wishes to your friends who are trying to make you be good!
Good thing you don’t have me around…I would be the one who’s all, hey, look how nice it is outside, let’s go walk all over the place! 🙁
And I would probably listen to you and follow you out the door.
I am the “praying type” and will send a special request for quick healing and your good behavior! Goodbye Happy~Merri Beth
I typically heal easily. The good behavior might be the challenge!
Phew! Lucky for you! Isn’t it crazy how these things make us realize how grateful we should be!
Best wishes on your surgery!
Ah, Happy the Hernia. Soon to be a mere ghost of a memory . . .