A Memorable Moment

Do you have a memorable moment that is still freshly engraved in your mind? One that has taught you a lesson on life? Well, I do. Admittedly, it’s slightly intense, but I hope it’ll inspire you guys. On February 9th of this year, I had a surgical operation for an implantation of a catheter in my abdomen. It’s been 9 months since the procedure and I can still fully explain the event without difficulty. On July 7th of the same year, I received a kidney transplant. Even though it was a mere 4 months since the big day, it genuinely feels like it was yesterday. The memories are a motion picture that occasionally replay in my mind.

I was on peritoneal dialysis for 5 months. A long tube, surgically inserted in my peritoneal cavity, stuck out from the right side of my abdomen. That tube was inside of me every second of every day. Every single night, I would have to use that tube to connect into a dialysis machine in my room to filter out all the excess waste that has been contained in my body the whole day. The filtration took about 7-8 hours. On school nights, I had to be home before a certain time, because I had to get on dialysis as soon as possible or else I wouldn’t be able to get off in time to get ready for school the next morning. My parents are divorced and I couldn’t even sleepover at my mom’s house, because my dialysis machine was at my dad’s. Dialysis was necessary and mandatory, so I couldn’t skip a single night of it. Although I’m grateful that it temporarily maintained my condition, I felt frustratingly restrained of its boundaries. Once I got connected to my machine, I was restricted to inside of my cubic room, because my tube wasn’t able to go as far. The catheter was a handcuff on my body. I wasn’t able to go past my bedroom door, let alone travel the world.

After the kidney transplant operation, I woke up feeling very woozy. I tried desperately to stay awake, but I felt so sleepy. My eyelids were heavy. My eyes strained to make out my surroundings but it was like being underwater. My lips were sandpaper. My entire body was strapped down to monitors and machines with tubes and wires. As my eyelids began to open wider, my surroundings began to become clearer. Two figures were sitting down on the right side of my hospital bed, while another stood on the opposite side. My mom and David stared at me, anticipating my awakening. I shifted my head to the other figure and realized that it was my nurse. They all comforted me and ensured that I was utterly comfortable. Surprisingly, the pain was not as bad as I expected it to be. They bombarded me with curious questions. At this point, I answered them while on autopilot. I noticed my body felt different. A good different. I felt normal. I felt like I could do anything and everything. Well, not that instant. After I fully recover, I’d be able to do whatever I want, especially travel the world.

The whole experience made me realize that the good in life eventually does arrive. I dreadfully longed to be separated from my tube, but I retained my patience. It paid off in the end. My catheter was a lock and my kidney transplant was and still is the key to my freedom. Before peritoneal dialysis, I ventured out and about to explore the beauty the world has to offer. Now, I can indulge in the same liberty. Hopefully, you guys have gained insight or realization through my experiences. No matter what obstacles you may encounter throughout your life, continue to push your way to where you want to be and who you want to be. Or maybe you just have to let life do its thing like I did. Sooner or later, it will all come together. Patience is a virtue.

#flight #blog