Frightening Experience

My need for a dangerous heart surgery at the age of twelve taught me to overcome my apprehension of the unknown, and permitted me more time with my family.

A fear is being afraid of someone or something as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening. My fear was the heart surgery. I was unsure I had what it took to get better or handle the pain. After two days of being asleep, the recovery process had begun. I woke up hooked to a breathing machine and freaked out! The nurse told me I had to breath on my own before she could take it out, I thought to myself "I could if this stupid thing wasn't down my throat." Eventually, I concord the breathing tube and then moved to the next big step, coughing. I can still remember the pain it caused, worse than child birth in my opinion. After several days, coughing too became easier. Coughing and the breathing machine taught me that it is not always going to be easy, but I could do it! This is what helped me get out of the hospital bed and start to walk again. Once I started walking I didn't stop, I was walking the halls, joking with the nurses, and going to play in the game room. I felt great, like a new person. The surgery gave me a second chance and I chose to take it. I now have more time to spend with my family, a mended heart, and am able to have children. None of these things would of been possible if I didn't have the support and encouragement from my family, nurses, and doctors. I've learned not to let your fears control you, you control them.