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| My tummy after my second operation |
Growing up, I had been
conscious of my skin. Our skin is our biggest organ and I believe we had to
take good care of it. When it’s beautiful, it stands out. I remember how I keep
thanking God for being blessed with good genes, as I didn’t had to worry about
acne during my adolescent stage. When I
had my first daughter, I could vividly recall how I would generously slather
cocoa butter on my tummy for fear that it might cause some scar or kamot (scratches).
I had
also fervently prayed for a normal delivery so that I wouldn’t have to go
through painful caesarian stitches. My second daughter came and just as I had
my first baby, I had breezed throughout my pregnancy. But little did I know I’d
have to experience having a scar later on in life.
When I
learned about the chocolate cyst and myoma on my right ovary, I was not only
scared with the thought that I’d be opened up, I was also hesitant to undergo
an operation thinking it would surely leave a scar on my tummy. For months,
I’ve tried using medicines in the hope that an operation may no longer be
necessary. However, my doctor said it wasn’t working. So after much prodding, I
heeded the advice of my doctor to go under the knife. It had taken quite
sometime before wounds are healed. It may look as if everything’s totally
healed from the outside (skin covering), but deep inside, I felt as if the
wounds on my tummy would open up. It had left a deep scar on my tummy. And
since then, I wouldn’t want to wear anything that will expose my scar—that
meant, goodbye to bikini and mid-rib tops I used to love during my youth. I had
to stash them away at the bottom of my drawer because I knew I had no right to
wear them anymore. When we’d go to the beach, I couldn’t help but envied other
women who could wear them. I silently wished I didn’t have to go through that
operation.
For
years, I’ve tried and tested products that will somehow help to lighten my
scar. There were some that made it worse, some I’ve been allergic to, some were
itchy, some made it even darker. I’ve tried everything there is from
traditional herbal medicines to homemade skin treatments—I’ve been subjected to
allergic contact dermatitis because of hypersensitivity, skin irritation,
redness, itchiness and rashes so I would discontinue use. Honestly, I was
beginning to lose hope. I couldn’t afford to have painless laser scar
treatment. Alas, as I was searching for the right product to use, there comes
yet another hurdle. A few years after I had my cyst removed, I was once again
scheduled for another operation: this time, for total hysterectomy and
appendectomy due to pre-cancerous ovary. I was told that I had no other choice
but to have them removed unless I wanted to die early. Of course, being told
such painful truth, I had to stop being vain and all. After mustering all the
courage I have—I went under the knife the second time around. The least I could
do is to ask my doctor to open me up on the exact place where my first scar had
been. Doing so would save me from having to mend more scars. When my wounds have completely healed, it
could be a coincidence but that was the time I saw Maricar Reyes on a TV ad where
she talked about a certain ointment called Contractubex, this cream’s meant to
lighten scars. After having used a
couple of other skin lightening products meant to conceal my scar, I couldn’t
help but be skeptical at first. So it had actually taken quite sometime before
I decided to use Contractubex on my tummy’s scar. I figured there’s no harm in
trying the product.
I’ve
religiously applied a small amount directly unto affected area twice a day. And
true enough, it has helped manage my scar and soon the scar on my tummy looked
less unsightly. It is no longer as noticeable as it used to be. My scar has
somehow faded and one could visibly see the scar reduction. I may be past my youth, but who says I can no
longer look my best? And for me, looking my best means having healthy, supple
and smooth skin sans any conspicuous scar.
Since
then, I would recommend using Contractubex to my family and friends knowing
fully well how effective it is based on my own experience. I am after all a living
testimony that scars from the past do heal. Pain and scars are part of playing
in this game called life—one must fall, cry and suffer a little in order to
rise. I fought my first stage of cancer and survived. Thank God, for giving me
a second lease on life. I am still alive despite my battle scar from
pre-cancerous condition and thank God for Contractubex for making my skin scar
less visible.
Disclaimer:
I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are my own.
