Faith’s Story: How I Overcame Surgical Trauma & Found Self-Love

At Scarred & Fabulous, I celebrate the resilience of incredible women who transform surgical trauma into self-love and strength. Faith’s journey is a shining example of this transformation, and I’m so proud of the progress she has made.

At 22, Faith faced a life-threatening medical emergency that left her navigating both physical and emotional scars. A sudden, severe infection led to emergency surgery, forcing her to confront uncertainty about her health and self-image. Her recovery wasn’t just about physical healing—it was about regaining confidence, embracing her scars, and thriving beyond surgical trauma.

Through the Empowered Renewal coaching program, Faith gained the tools and support to own her story and reclaim her strength. Today, she proudly wears her scars as symbols of survival and celebrates a future she once thought was out of reach.

Faith’s story reminds us that healing goes beyond the body—it’s a journey of self-advocacy, self-love, and courage. Let her transformation inspire you to embrace your strength and take steps toward thriving beyond trauma.

 

 

Faith’s Story: The Pain That Changed Everything

 

In 2017, at 22 years old, I was living in Scotland on a two-year holiday visa from New Zealand. I was vibrant, living life fully—until a sudden, unyielding pain stopped me in my tracks. It started with an ache that was different, more insistent than anything I had felt before. What followed was a life-threatening experience that would change me forever.

Initially, I thought the pain was due to my period. But as the cramps came and went, another pain lingered—one that didn’t match the rhythm or intensity of a typical cycle. It was constant, a heavy discomfort that wouldn’t ease. Even when my period ended, the pain remained, growing stronger each day. I could sense something was deeply wrong with my body.

I was working as a receptionist at a hotel, and by the last day of my period, I could hardly function. Hunched over the desk, I struggled to check guests in. Deep down, a voice in me knew this wasn’t something that would go away on its own. Desperate to ease the pain, I took painkillers and smoked marijuana to try to numb the ache and distract myself, but relief was only temporary. Nothing seemed to make the pain fade.

Facing Dismissal and Fighting for Answers

 

When I went to see a doctor, they pressed around on my abdomen, asked questions, and ultimately concluded that I just needed rest, suggesting I go to the hospital if things worsened. In reality, they seemed to have no idea what was causing the pain.

The following morning at 4 a.m., I woke up in such agony that I could hardly move. An ambulance was called, but upon arrival at the hospital, I was met with scepticism. It felt as if they thought I was either overreacting to a bad period or seeking over-the-counter medication. After running a few tests, they gave me antibiotics and sent me home, dismissing my concerns. I felt completely disregarded and deeply worried.

The next morning, again at 4 a.m., the pain surged to a new level. It wasn’t just waves of agony—it was a relentless, overpowering force that kept me from even standing. I knew this wasn’t something I could wait out. I managed to get to Perth hospital in Scotland, this time by a friend, as I couldn’t wait for the ambulance to get there. At last, my distress was taken seriously, and I was rushed to Dundee Hospital for urgent care.

The Surgery That Saved My Life but Left Me Scarred

 

Surgeons suspected appendicitis and planned for laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. However, when they made the incision for the camera, a torrent of pus exploded from my abdomen, revealing a severe infection. They shifted to open surgery immediately, making a 19-cm incision from above my belly button to my pubic line. Over 2.5 Liters of pus were drained, transforming what was expected to be a straightforward operation into a seven-hour life-saving procedure.

Consequently, they found my appendix healthy but chose to remove it as a precaution, which has left me conflicted to this day. The true source of the infection was a cyst on my right ovary, larger than a golf ball, that had burst. Gynaecologists were called in to carefully clear out the cyst without removing the ovary. They inserted a thick drainage tube to expel the remaining infection and placed me on monitors. When I woke, I discovered that not only did I have a long incision down my abdomen but also additional entry points on my upper right abdomen, left side, and the drain. A catheter was also inserted, leaving me feeling disoriented and trapped.

 

Living with Uncertainty: The Emotional Aftermath of Surgical Trauma

 

Coping with an Undefined Diagnosis

 

Waking up from surgery, I was groggy and in pain. Pulling back the sheets, I saw my body covered in bandages and tubes, my abdomen freshly stitched and wrapped. It felt like my own body had turned on me. A drain tube connected to my abdomen collected fluids, adding to the overwhelming reminder of how close I had come to losing my life.

The days that followed were consumed by morphine, nausea, and the haunting words from my doctors: they couldn’t identify a clear cause. After exhaustive testing for everything from sexually transmitted infections to polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis, there was no diagnosis. Though polycystic ovaries remained a probable explanation, no doctor could confirm it. The infection’s origin was an enigma, and my bloodwork showed a dangerously low white blood cell count, indicating how close I’d come to the edge. I was told, however, that I may not be able to have children anymore—a shocking blow. 

One theory suggested the infection may have been triggered by my intrauterine device (IUD), but tests on the IUD itself were inconclusive. The lack of clarity left me in limbo, desperate for answers that never came. I was left with uncertainty about my fertility and a gnawing fear of recurrence.

The Impact Of Surgical Trauma On My Confidence and Self-Image

 

The physical pain gradually subsided, but the emotional scars were harder to heal. My surgery left me with a large, visible scar, measuring 19 cm long and 2 cm wide. I couldn’t bear to look at it—it felt like an ugly, unwanted reminder of a traumatic experience I couldn’t fully understand or explain. Self-consciousness consumed me. I wore baggy clothes, shied away from beaches, and became guarded in intimate situations. I felt like a stranger in my own skin.

 

My Surgical Trauma Recovery Journey

 

My turning point came when I met Kim from Scarred & Fabulous. She radiated confidence and unapologetically embraced her own scars. Watching her move with ease, unbothered by others’ opinions, had a transformative impact on me. When I asked Kim how she embraced her scars, she reminded me that my scar symbolized my survival—a testament to facing death and emerging stronger.

Through Kim’s Empowered Renewal program, I gained the guidance and encouragement I needed to love myself again. I began to see my scar as part of my story, not something to hide. For the first time in years, I felt empowered and mustered the courage to proudly display my scar at the beach. It was liberating.

A New Chapter: From Fear to Motherhood and Self-Love

 

Today, at 19 weeks pregnant, I am living a reality I once feared would never come true. I had lost all hope of motherhood, saddened by the idea that I might never hold a child of my own. Now, I am profoundly grateful for this journey and the new life it brings.

Lessons Learnt For Thriving Beyond Surgical Trauma

 

If you’re dealing with scars, visible or invisible, trust your body and instincts. Advocate for yourself, especially when answers remain unclear. Scars don’t limit us—they represent our strength and resilience. Thanks to Kim’s coaching, I proudly embrace my scar, and I hope my story inspires others to embark on their own journeys of survival and self-love.

 

Next Steps

 

Healing takes time, but every step forward is worth it. You are not broken—you are Scarred & Fabulous.

Start with this blog, then for more tools download: How To Calm A Chaotic Mind & Find Peace After Surgical Trauma

When your ready to embrace self-love and reconnect with your body to thrive, just like Faith, reach out and learn more about the Empowered Renewal program. You will watch yourself grow into the confident, resilient woman you were always meant to be.