Lesser Appendix
Once upon a time, I had an appendix. Actually I was born with it. But God had sealed its fate many generations ago when it was found to serve no purpose. So if it was of no use to its master and had befallen from Creator’s esteem, what was it doing there?
I first became aware of this finger long, slender and sleepy organ, when it became angry due to no particular fault of mine. At that time I was in school and the village doctor thought it best to suppress the little monster with the pills. I took the bitter medicine, had liquid diet only and my mother massaged my tummy with all the oils available in the house. I was better in two days, but these were the only days when I did not enjoy the break from the school.
I had forgotten about its existence for good many years when it again roared back to life, or raised its ugly head, should I say. I had severe pain in the abdomen and this time being knowledgeable, I thought of diverticulitis, intestinal obstruction,perforation and appendicitis. When I reached the hospital, it was time for two surgical units to exchange emergency duties. I was happy at the thought that I had choice of two surgeons, but it turned out to be the other way round. First surgical unit people had their hands full of perforations and accidents, and the second unit people were still preparing to don the mantle.
Blood was drawn from my veins and sent to the labs. Intravenous drip was started to replace the same and to push in the medicines. Ultrasound was done. All reports made the doctors almost certain that I was suffering from the appendicitis. The young aggressive surgeon broke the news with a smile and shine in his eyes. In contrast to the old, laid back, village doctor, he had decided to take on the offending appendix, one to one.
I was made to sign a declaration, that if I died during the surgery, it would be my responsibility. I woke up hale and hearty, though little short on my ‘guts’,the offending appendix was lying in a little jar by my bedside. But alas, there were no breaking news on national channels, and the only persons praying for my quick recovery were my family members and the surgeon.