When I was in seventh grade, I was diagnosed with Acute Ulcerative Colitis. I was on medication steroids and went through multiple treatments to figure out if there was a cure for AUC without making any drastic changes to my body. After two years of tests and procedures, I had to choose what my last resort would be. I had a hard decision to make. One: Risk my body and carryout the surgery, lose my large intestine and have un-namable complications throughout my life. Or two: just stay as I was, say no to the surgery and take medication steroids for the rest of my life; which would slowly destroy my body. After consulting my doctors and surgeons, asking their opinions, and talking things through with my family, I made the decision to have my large intestine removed. About a month later I was in Rochester, Minnesota. I was admitted to the hospital and began my week-long surgery prep. The day of my surgery was nearing and I was nervous and scared for my life. I had never gone through anything like this before, I thought to myself. Would everything turn out ok? How much pain would I be in? How long will take for me to recover? Will there be any complications after it’s done? What if the surgeon runs into a problem? Ahh!! Ever since I had decided to go through with the surgery, every night in my prayers I would ask Heavenly Father to make my pain minimal and that when I awoke out of surgery, I would feel alright. I knew that this was a bit of an oversight and that it’s nearly impossible not to have any pain after such an extensive surgery, but I had faith. The night before my surgery, my family said their goodbyes and headed back to the hotel. My dad stayed the night with me and gave me a blessing before I went to bed. I don’t think I can ever remember a time in my life where I was so exceedingly thankful for the priesthood and the blessing it had been to me. The spirit was so strong in the hospital room, that I knew everything was going to be ok. Soon enough it was 4:00am and the nurse came in to get me up and give me my last dose of medications. My mom arrived and we headed to the check in room, where my parents had to say their goodbyes. Tears were streaming down our faces, even the nurse’s. My parents kissed me goodbye and told me everything was going to be fine. I arrived in the OR and talked with my surgeon, he was reassuring me that everything would go well. There were so many people doing so many things around me, it made me dizzy, or maybe that was just the medication they were pumping into me. The last thing I remember was the nurse wiping tears off my cheeks, and I was gone. Eleven hours later, I was taken back to my room and about 2 days after that I awoke. There were so many tubes and IVs sticking out of me, that I was frightened. I had a button taped to my palm that gave me morphine every fifteen minutes, or whenever I needed it. When I came to, I realized that I didn’t have any pain. I don’t know if that was because of all the medication that the doctors were giving me or if it was the power of the priesthood. Either way, I knew that the Lord was watching over me through the whole eleven hours and I knew he was trying to make me as comfortable as he could.
By going through this surgery, amongst others, I grew stronger mentally and spiritually. I was no longer afraid to encounter other surgeries or procedures that came into my future. I trusted my doctors and the Lord. My faith and testimony were strengthened so much because of the comfort I felt from the Holy Spirit. Because of the power of the priesthood, my pain was lessoned and my relationship with my Dad, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ grew. I overcame a fear that I feared for almost two years. Who knew I’d be able to make it through this surgery, I was so proud of myself. I’m glad that I carried through with the decision of having my intestine removed. This experience made me stronger and helped me realize that I can make it through any struggles I may face in life. When the Lord gives us obstacles, he never makes them too big or too small, he makes them just right. He knows that we will be able to overcome anything he throws at us if we just have faith.
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