27 | PUP SUN I T E .ORG familyvalues world. Tests were run. Decisions made. And I spoke with my surgeon who looked like Seinfeld on that old familiar TV series. Nurses scattered like ants except for one. She was older, slower, experienced, and occasionally would give me a wink. This was always reassuring and made me smile. She must think I’m going to be alright. I would reason, even though I do not know what happened to me. I thought I was staying at a nice lodge. My anesthesia began to wear off and a visitor came, and it turned out to be my brother and when I saw him it brought me back. I remembered who I was and what happened. My appendix had burst (Perforated appendicitis). I will tell you the wise, old nurse who was a weekend warrior came to my room to say goodbye and check on me that one last time before I was released from the hospital. Good people like her who care are found in hospitals and they work to keep you alive. So, you do not have to fear the hospital since you know, you, the doctors and nurses all want the same thing. There are a lot of good things about growing older. Occasionally my mom would ask me my age. When I would tell her, she would say, “Oh I remember when I was 40 or in my 50s, 60s, those were good years.” I think my mom was trying to teach me to see the good in aging and when sickness came to always look and plan for the next happy thing. This is how I was able to watch her age so beautifully, because of her lovely outlook. Like my mother would do, perhaps you can think of an illness or surgery as a reset or mile marker. It can be a time to reflect on what is really most important in your life right now and give you the opportunity to plan it out and do it. Other observations that I have made are place get well cards on the bathroom door where you can easily read them again and again. And if asked if there’s something the person can do to help say sure send me a funny card! You know it takes a while to heal from a surgery, but while you do, listen to positive messages, music, and stay off social media. And when you get lonely invite a friend over to babysit you. Lynn Berna is a former Ohio Christian radio host devoted to family who says, “As for me when I am afraid, I will trust the Lord”, while Living Life in the Second Act.
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