I felt a pain in my groin and, more worryingly, a lump. Not knowing much about illnesses and parts of the body, I dismissed it as a strain and something that would disappear; after all, I'm a man, so nothing could be wrong. I even kept it from Bibi, my wife in case she suggested going to the doctor. But the lump didn't go down. My mood apparently changed as I then thought of all the things it could be and Bibi was astutely aware of a silent barrier that I build around me in such situations. Two days later, I had to explain - before she threw me out! Immediately, she put her nurse's uniform on, went onto the internet, and, within minutes, diagnosed a hernia.
A doctor's appointment was made for the next day and the doctor wisely concurred with nurse Bibi. Unexpectedly, we were able to see the specialist two days later and he also agreed. All very quick so far, but the express train hit the buffers when he told us that the waiting list for the necessary operation was seven to eight months. I was in some pain and didn't fancy it continuing until next summer, but what could I do?
Thinking that private treatment would be more than I'd want to pay, I nevertheless asked a friend if he knew the cost. He didn't, but knew the next best thing, a surgeon. The surgeon asked another surgeon, who was a hernia specialist, and I was pleasantly surprised that the price was reasonable. I made an appointment and duly arrived at the private hospital for a consultation. It’s peculiar the things that amuse us; there I was sitting in the waiting room with my small lump and opposite was a woman with a huge lump - the difference was that she was heavily pregnant. She was proud of hers, I wanted mine gone!
There was a further surprise when we met the surgeon; he was the same specialist we'd met a few days earlier. What an amazing coincidence. He said that, ethically, he couldn't have suggested we went privately when he was representing the Public Health Service, but was pleased to see us. Once again, he felt the same lump, but this time suggested operating the next working day. What a difference!
It should have been a quick and efficient process to pay online and get ready for the operation, but, just that day when I didn't need it, there was a problem with the internet and I couldn't get a connection. I ended up that evening in a café with wifi to pay the fee. This is the first operation of my life, if I ignore the loss of my tonsils when I was a child, and I'll admit that I'm a bit scared of the unknown. The aloe had the last laugh, but I'll be back!