Health challenges come in various ways. The truth is, one hardly prepares for them. SONIA OKERE narrates her encounter with goiter and how she survived the delicate surgical procedure
How would you feel if you woke up one day and noticed a strange swelling on your body? I guess you would panic, ask questions and seek a solution. Well, that was exactly how I felt.
It all started in 2016 when I walked into the hospital to complain about a tiny swelling on my neck. After examining me, the doctor looked up and said, “Sonia, you have a growing goiter. But we need to run some tests to understand what’s causing it.”
Without hesitation, I did the tests. When the results came back, the diagnosis was euthyroid. If you are wondering what that means, let me explain. According to medical experts, a euthyroid condition means that the thyroid gland is functioning normally, even if there are physical abnormalities like swelling or nodules.
it all started in 2016 when I walked into the hospital to complain about a tiny swelling on my neck. The doctor diagnosed a growing goiter
At first, I felt relieved since my thyroid was still working. But that relief didn’t last long. After going through the results, the doctor looked at me and said, “We won’t prescribe any medication because your hormone levels are normal. As for the growth, there’s nothing we can do for now since it’s still small. But if it gets bigger, you can come back.”
As I was leaving the hospital, the only prayer on my mind was that it should never grow bigger. Unfortunately, it only took a matter of time before my worst fear became a reality.
The fight no one could see
After the diagnosis, I felt trapped in my own body. Even when the swelling wasn’t obvious, I was convinced that everyone could see it. The more I became aware of it, the more it consumed my thoughts.
Desperate for a cure, I started searching for anything that could make it go away. The marketers of supplements knew exactly what to say to feed my desperation. After purchasing the products, they would assure me of the effectiveness. So, I followed every instruction religiously. I swallowed tablets, mixed powders, and drank teas but the goiter didn’t shrink. I remember rubbing castor oil over the swelling, then blasting it with hot air from a hand dryer. The heat scorched my skin, leaving it red and tender. However, no matter how much I tried, the growth didn’t disappear.
I swallowed tablets, mixed powders, and drank teas. I rubbed castor oil over the swelling, then blasted it with hot air from a hand dryer. The heat scorched my skin, but the goiter didn’t shrink
The pregnancy that triggered the massive growth
Four years after the initial diagnosis, I became pregnant. Then I noticed something alarming—the goiter suddenly grew larger. At first, I thought it was just another pregnancy change, like swollen feet or morning sickness. But as the days passed, the swelling became impossible to ignore. I started wearing turtlenecks and hijabs because I was tired of the stares, the questions, and the gossips. I became very reserved, and turned down invitations. I did my best to hide it, but how long could I run from something that was a part of me?
One day, my three-year-old daughter looked up at me with innocent curiosity and asked, ‘Mummy, why is your neck big? Did you swallow a stone?’ Although I laughed at her statement, later that night, I stood in front of the mirror, tracing the swelling with my fingers and wondering when it would be over.
The fear of surgery
For eight years, I struggled with an enlarging goiter. When I went back to the hospital, they told me that the only solution was surgery. However, I was scared because my mother’s relation lost her life during a thyroidectomy. So, my family strongly discouraged me from considering the same procedure.
For eight years, I struggled with an enlarging goiter
Meanwhile, avoiding the surgery meant living in constant discomfort, both physically and emotionally. At some point, I asked myself why I was delaying the inevitable. When I made up my mind to go for it, I started praying for God to guide my footsteps to the right hospital and also provide the money for the procedure. He answered my prayers and brought people that supported me greatly.
My near-death experience
Last month, I underwent a thyroidectomy. As I lay on the operating table, five doctors surrounded me, discussing and preparing the equipment. Then, they placed an oxygen mask over my face. Within moments, their voices faded into silence, and I slipped into unconsciousness. But I didn’t just black out—I found myself somewhere else.
It was a vast, open space, unfamiliar yet eerily real. A powerful wind was pulling me downward as I floated through what felt like an astral space. While I was struggling to understand what was happening, I heard a voice saying, “Sonia, you are dying. It is over.”
back in the operating room, four hours had passed and the surgeons were already done… for two hours, everyone was praying for me to regain consciousness
When I heard those words, I refused to accept them. Immediately, I began praying, calling out to God for mercy. But despite how hard I prayed, I kept descending—faster, deeper into an unknown destination. As I was moving, more negative voices kept haunting my soul. However, I refused to allow fear to overwhelm me. I thought of my two young daughters and kept calling on Jesus to save me.
Take me back to life! I can’t die!
Meanwhile, back in the operating room, four hours had passed, and the surgeons were already done. Then, they kept calling my name and monitoring my vital signs at intervals. That lasted for two hours, and everyone was praying for me to regain consciousness.
Somewhere in that other realm, I had already lost all my strength. The negative voices told me to accept defeat, but instead, I screamed, “Take me back to life! I can’t die!” It was at that point that the voices and shadows in that realm faded, and I heard one of the doctors saying, “Sonia, wake up! Sonia, wake up!” Then suddenly, my eyes fluttered open, and I saw the doctors and my family members, who were anxiously waiting for me to regain consciousness. Indeed, it was a miracle.
faith in God is the lifeline that pulls us back from the edge when we are slipping away
A few days later, when I shared my out-of-body experience with one of the doctors, he explained that it was likely a side effect of the anesthesia. But to me, it was something much deeper. It reminds me of how thin the line between life and death truly is. I also believe that faith in God is the lifeline that pulls us back from the edge when we are slipping away.
Healing and recovery
It’s been a month since my thyroid surgery. The initial pain was challenging, but with each new day, it slowly subsided. Moreover, this journey has been more than just physical healing; it’s also been a transformative time for my mental health. It’s a new chapter of my life where I won’t be hiding behind scarves and turtlenecks to conceal a swollen neck. Now, I am free from anxiety and shame.
In conclusion, I’m deeply thankful to God for this opportunity to share my story. I’m also indebted to the countless angels in human form who supported and stood by me when I needed them most.
