Four Decades Later, I Faced the Same Fear Differently

I have often wondered whether the things we keep avoiding return because there is still something in them for us to learn. I cannot say if this is true for everyone, but it has felt true in my own life.

For me, one of those things was surgery.

More than four decades ago, I underwent a major surgery at a government hospital. I was young, but the experience stayed with me. I carried the fear from that surgery for much longer than I realised.

When I was recently told that I needed surgery again, that old fear returned. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to understand things in detail. I research, ask questions and try to prepare for every possibility. It gives me a sense of control, especially when the decision is important.