This morning five years ago, I was at the hospital, about to go into surgery. It was the first thing I thought of when I woke up today. Five years later, even in 2020, life is so much better.
It’s true that life with an ostomy hasn’t been perfect. This year hasn’t been perfect, of course, due to the pandemic. I eventually found my dream job after surgery left me healthy enough to work… but I’ve been furloughed for many months now. Still, life looks a whole lot better. I’m extremely thankful for my (relative) good health now, this year and every year.
Five years ago, I woke up early, scared and sick, to leave for my surgery. This morning, I woke up in a beautiful apartment an hour away from that hospital, in a town I love, next to someone I haven’t told I love yet (but I will.) I told him it had been five years since my surgery, and he said “I’m glad you’re here with me.” And after everything– years of sickness, my surgery, blood clots, a slow healing process… I am, too.
I’m not sure lucky even begins to cover it.