Healing Knight: A Surgery Story

November swept in with an unexpected adventure—I tagged along with my cousin sister on a vet visit. The mission? A 1.5-hour drive outside the city to aid an injured horse in dire need of surgery. The poor guy had an ulcer that burst, causing a nasty infection in his left eye. Our task? To tackle this messy situation and get him back on his hooves.

The excitement and nerves were doing a tango in my stomach. It was my debut witnessing surgery up close and personal. As we reached the farm, I was extremely excited—a haven teeming with horses, dogs, cats, and rumours of a resident camel (though I never caught sight of the elusive creature).

But here’s the kicker: the prep wasn’t done when we arrived. So, we had to wait a while. Thank heavens for chai, and the delightful distraction of charming kitty cats. Those felines were more than happy to be all over me.

Finally, it was showtime for Knight, the dashing black horse in need of a medical miracle. The surgical stage was set—a table of meds, needles, gauze, and an intimidating array of blades and scissors. First up, the anaesthesia injection. Watching Knight get all woozy was simultaneously fascinating and nerve-wracking. The caretakers carefully stood around him, ensuring he gracefully descended to the ground without crashing.

Once Knight was completely out for the count, the real magic (and nerves) kicked in. Surgery mode: activated. Now, I won’t delve into the gory details of eyeball removal and stitching, but let me tell you what I felt during this intense procedure.

Operating on a living, breathing being isn’t child’s play. The air was thick with responsibility—not just for the horse’s well-being, but for the emotions of everyone involved. The owner’s worry, the farmhands’ dedication, the folks who pampered Knight day in and day out—every ounce of care felt like a weight on our shoulders.

My cousin, though, she was a rockstar. Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, she knew exactly where to anchor her focus. Watching her navigate the surgery with such precision was impressive. Her technique and finesse were on another level. Time was a critical factor—Knight had a limited window under anaesthesia. Her work had to be fast, clean, and aesthetically pleasing, all while ensuring there was no room for infection to rear its ugly head again. It wasn’t just about removing an eye; it was a makeover for Knight. Every decision, every stitch contributed to his future appearance.

Me? I surprised myself. Watching an exploded eye being removed sounded like a potential faint-inducer, but I held my ground.

Watching Knight slowly emerge from anesthesia after surgery and eventually stand up on his feet was a colossal relief. Sure, he’d be in pain for a while, but no more maggots or infections brewing in his eye. He was on the road to recovery, and that was a comforting thought.

In the end, witnessing the surgery unfold was a whirlwind of emotions and responsibility. It showed me the power of focus and the weight of making decisions that impact lives—equine and human alike.

-Milonee Jhaveri

Date: 21.11.23, Tiruvannamalai

Milonee Jhaveri

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