Reviews from

First Surgery

Not all patients are patient.

36 total reviews 
Comment from pome lover
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Rhonda, you have really had a time, haven't you? Bless your heart.
Are you still in Texas? I am in San Antonio, but was born and raised in Georgia.
The doctor and nurse in this story should be ashamed of themselves.
I loved the last bit of your author's notes. I cannot imagine the horror of being kicked in the face by a bull. Heavens.
Also, a father who told you stories - how lovely.
Well, I hope all your surgeries have been successful.
Congratulations on ALL Time Best!
Katharine

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 14-Jun-2023
    Hi Katherine! How sweet of you to go back and read an old post, and to grant the coveted six is a gift beyond measure!
    I?m happy to say I survived to tell the stories, lol. Truth is, after all, stranger than fiction.

    I live Southeast of Dallas on a farm. I was born in San Antonio, though. A remarkable place to visit, but way too hot to stay.

    Thanks for visiting my work,
    Take care,
    Rhonda

    I?ve really got to start writing new posts.
Comment from w.j.debi
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Maybe it was because I have never had surgery and only take an aspirin about once a year if I feel the need that I was left breathless by the end of this story.
Excellent narrative voice. You had me hooked-- and nervous.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 05-Mar-2023
    Thank you for the lovely six star rating, my friend!
    I was always into natural remedies, but the got hit by a series of unexpected operations. Now I?m back to my natural remedies!
    Thanks for taking time and energy to review,
    Rhonda
Comment from Jamison Brown
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

All too real ... and well described. I think you have spoken for the most of us and I especially identified with it. Loved the way you lightened it a bit without losing the message. I enjoyed reading it, Rhonda. Well done. Take care. - JGB

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023
    Thank you for your review, JGB. I?m glad the mixture of humor and anxiety formed a balance. Surgery can be a scary thing, for sure.

    Take care,
    Rhonda
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

That was scary and funny, Rhonda. You sorted that doctor out. It was so rude leaving you there for that amount of time with you were scheduled for your op at 7am. Moving on and reading your author's notes, my goodness, Rhonda! A bull kicked you in the face!!?? I'm surprised you're still here, that tells me that you have well and truly broken the end of June curse! Then colon cancer? You've certainly had your pick of the best! Now the rest of your family will be thinking of you when they need surgery and not those who died. Great story, my friend. Good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023
    Hi Sandra! I?m so happy you were able to review. I always appreciate your comments on any of my work, and especially since I haven?t posted in awhile.

    I like what you said about me breaking that streak. Excellent point, thank you!!

    Take care,
    Rhonda
Comment from Spitfire
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This deserves a six but I have none left. I like the style of short simple sentences and also the injection of humor. Like you, if the doctor starts to detail the surgery, I don't want to hear it. Just put me under and get it over with.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023
    Thank you your review, my friend. I?m glad I have a kindred soul on surgery! Thanks for the virtual 6. I?ll take it anytime!

    Take care,
    Rhonda
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Oh, Rhonda, I loved this and I wish I'd had a six for. I don't know what happened but I was never alerted to this although I am a fan.
I can so identify with this. How well written it is. I've only had on major surgery a few years back, and I was terrified. I even said goodbye to all my plants..
This is so well written. Good luck. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Ulla, I'm so glad you saw the post and were able to review it!! I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought I was going to die! I hope for both of us that we are done with it for good!! No fun at all.

    Thank you again, my friend,
    Rhonda
Comment from Jim Wile
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Just excellent, Rhonda! So amusing. I loved the lines "They were far too trusting." as they left you alone at 7:15 and "Only when I'm supposed to go into surgery and don't want to hear all the ugly details." when responding to the question about a problem with anxiety.

This was very cleverly-written as well as suspenseful to see if you would really go through with it. Well done.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Thank you so much, Jim!! I'm glad you liked the story. It was a fun prompt, though I didn't have fun at the time, hehe. I'm also glad you picked up the tongue-in-cheek part. Sometimes, you just have to laugh, even if it's in retrospect!!

    Take care,
    Rhonda
Comment from Olivanne Marsh
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I can relate. I had knee replacement surgery last year and I was sure I was going to die going in. When I woke up in recovery, I was so grateful to be alive. :) As a science teacher you probably already had an inkling of what could go wrong with anesthesia, so the list of warnings just added fuel to the anxiety fire. Glad it turned out well, sorry you've had to endure it more than once...but there's no fear like the first-time fear. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Thank you so much for the beautiful and spot on review. You absolutely captured the thoughts going through my head. You're right about being a science teacher. Sometimes too much knowledge keeps you away from the level of trust that keeps fear at bay.

    Again, much thanks,
    Rhonda
Comment from JT traveller
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

As a physician this was very insightful. A well written piece, however, informed consent is a legal must for us.

It was interesting to hear your side of the story. I try to be as sympathetic as possible because I know that everyone has different life experiences.

Good luck to you.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Hi Jacqueline, and thank you for responding with a physician?s POV. You are entirely right about the legalities. Not his fault, I understand, and I bear no malice to him, but they were my thoughts, and a reflection of my state of mind at the time.
    Thank you, again,
    Rhonda
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

An excellent story, and a very well-written one. I can understand why you were nervous, having had so many family deaths at that particular time of the year. This is an excellent contender - best wishes for the contest.
Wendy

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Thank you for the review and for understanding what drove me to be at that particular spot at that time. No fault of anyone, just my thoughts that day.

    Take care,
    Rhonda