Personal experience
I was in third grade when I experienced my first surgery. The surgery was for a birthmark that was under my chin and visibly on the throat. If not removed the birthmark could result in cancer. My parents opted for the surgery to have the birthmark removed. However, I was nervous thinking of the pain and sceptical of surgery failure. My anxiety was further triggered when I ate and I was not allowed to eat for the next twenty-four hours after the surgery.
To my dismay the surgery was successful. I, however, had to wear a bandage on my chin for two months. I later healed and a scar remained. The scar came along with insecurities issues as people were teasing and making a joke of it. Gradually, I stopped focusing on people’s opinion about the scar and I learned that the scar was part of me and I had to live with it. Two years later we went for a routine checkup for the scar and it was confirmed that the surgery was not successful, and there were birthmark remnants that were likely to be cancerous.
We visited a different surgeon who recommended two surgeries. I was more nervous and sceptical about the surgeries than before because the first surgery was not a success. Thankfully, the surgeries were successful and all the birthmark remnants were removed. However, the surgery scar was much visible and my friends were making jokes of it, this heightened my insecurities issues. However, I quickly realized that other people’s opinion does not count and I accepted myself.
It is ridiculous thinking how close I was to having cancer yet I did not know, thanks to my parents for not telling me, because I could have been more anxious. The three surgeries played a major role in my life. The scar left made me understand that other peoples opinion do not count and what I feel is more important. Currently, my scar has fully healed and I am getting laser surgery to make my scar tone with my skin colour. I am, however, not nervous about the surgery and I am getting the surgery to appeal myself. The hardship I underwent has shaped me to whom I am today and I am happy with my scar.