The Day My Appendix Failed

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” // Matthew 28:8-10

(pregnancy medical emergency content warning)

Jerked awake at 4 a.m., I hunched over in bed.

A stabbing pain shot through my abdomen, and I immediately thought the worst. I was thirteen weeks pregnant with our second child. My one year old and husband were asleep so I had to wake up my husband and ask him to take me to the hospital. He had to carry me down two flights of stairs to our car to drive me. He wheeled me into the Emergency Department, and I was admitted. Thankfully, the emergency room doctor started off with an ultrasound and praise be to God, our child’s heartbeat was strong.

After a series of painful tests, they discovered that I had appendicitis and needed to operate immediately. A team of doctors explained the risks, benefits, and procedure. I feared what surgery and general anesthesia meant for the baby, but had to undergo the surgery to save us both.

I don’t know what happened in that operating room, but when I woke up, I had a severe panic attack. I was that patient who tried to rip cords and IVs off my body. I kept asking, “Where is my baby? I want to see my baby!!” I did not believe the nurses or doctors when they tried to reassure me that everything went successfully and baby was well.

Eventually, the kind nurse brought my husband back to the recovery area and they did another ultrasound with him in the room. He looked at me and said, “The baby is alright, do not be afraid, I’m here.” It was only then that I was able to exhale and feel relief. My husband, in his tenderness, reassured me where strangers could not. He saw my fear and comforted me.

The Lord knows exactly how to meet us as He met the women in today's Gospel and told them, "Do not be afraid" (Matthew 28:10). He knows when and how to meet us. He knows us. He sees us. Sister, when have you felt truly seen by another? In all your messiness and brokenness, who has met you in it all? Who can you see today?

He knows us. // @substance_soulClick to tweet

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