The 7 Lessons 11 Surgeries In 11 Years Taught Me

By Kathy Villar • June 28, 2016

1. Accept the Unacceptable

I can never be a mother.

That dreadful reality chased me since surgery 1 in August 2004 which started with a bilateral dermoid cyst and led to surgical adhesions which had to be repaired repeatedly causing further complications like umbilical hernia on top of the recurring dermoid cyst, endometriosis and myoma vs adenomyoma.

I undergo surgery, once, even twice a year. At my worse, I was even subjected to a corrective surgery nine days after my 5th surgery.

From 2012-2014 I had to be on pain management. I wake up in pain. I sleep in pain. But I have accepted and lived with it.

Hoping to put an end to the recurring problem, I was subjected to TAHBSO in August 2014. My 11th surgery. I woke up without ovaries, uterus and cervix.

(Total abdominal hysterectomy bilateral salpingo oophorectomy (TAHBSO) is the removal of entire uterus, the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the cervix)

0 kids. 0 possibility of a mother and I am menopausal at 35 y/o.

But I always believe that God has a higher reason for every failure or rejection. That's how I am able to accept, what seemed to be unacceptable.

2. Believe the Unbelievable

Surgery-after-surgery, I keep believing it is my last and that I am healed.

I told myself that on the second surgery. Reminded myself on the third... and fourth, fifth... until on my 11th.

Felt like it wasn't going to end. But believing the unbelievable kept me hopeful, and happy.

3. Disabled to be enabled

My health condition didn't stop me from doing anything. In fact, it made me realize that I am capable. It enabled me to pursue other dreams.

I am now a race car driver.

I cannot pursue my dream of having my own kid, so I chased another dream – racing.

Now everytime I am behind the wheel, I am beyond pain and fear. I am overjoyed.

If you're sick and is waiting to be healed, check how a disability can actually enable you to reach your dreams.

Read more about this story in: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/racing-news/lady-advertising-exec-takes-up-drifting-to-cope-with-loss-of-ovaries?ref=tag?ref=feed_1

4. Expel the excuses

Expel the sickness excuse. You'll be surprised at how far you can actually go. Figuratively and literally. I wanted to remind myself that I am well, and I wanted to declare to the world that I am alive – so I ran my first 42km and it made me feel stronger that ever.

Clearly, we don't have an excuse to achieve what we want to achieve.

5. Power in pain

Face every struggle with strength. No matter where you are and what you are facing. God equipped us with the capacity to turn our pain into power.

Pain taught me a lot.

It taught me how to appreciate life more, how to love more, how to give more. How to live more.

6. Joy in waiting

In Aug 15, 2014, my 11th surgery, I declared:

"I am about to undergo my 11th Surgery and life will never be the same after this. But I am still grateful and I still feel blessed because I believe everything happens for God's higher reason and purpose. When I started looking at things that way, I started living a happier life. I am urging everyone to live a happy, Godly life no matter what you are going thru. So while waiting for God's plan to unfold... see the world, run a marathon, drift a car, drive a tractor, glide with the fish, walk on ice, laugh with friends, tickle your tastebuds, share a hug, surprise someone, love without expecting, work hard, teach the kids, take care of the elderly and sick, talk to a stranger, share your talent and count your blessings, thank God for everything, everyday."

You can find joy and excitement in waiting to be healed. Do not stop living your life.

7. End to the endless

If you feel there's no end to your pain, suffering and sickness, there is. Believe it. Claim it.

11 surgeries in 11 consecutive years. I thought it would not end, but I am two years surgery-free now. Happy and hopeful.

Lord my God, I called to You for help, and you healed me.

Psalm 30:2

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