I was hung up on the words,

“use a drill to cut into my skull.”

My mother-in-law

Was caught up on the notion

Of me missing work

My husband saw dollar signs.

How much would it cost him?

-

I’m not afraid to have

The operation.

Not afraid of the drill.

Not afraid of my skull

Being cut open,

Or having stitches behind my ear.

-

Not afraid to be put to sleep

For three hours, for an operation,

And sent home the same day

Because of stupid insurance companies.

No, I won’t admit, I don’t think

Something so major should be

Considered outpatient surgery.

-

I’m not afraid of having packing

In my ear for weeks.

Or knowing that there is a small chance

I could become totally deaf in that ear.

Or even worse get an infection,

And it could spread to my brain.

-

I’m not afraid that I’m not in perfect health,

And am on high blood pressure medication.

So maybe I should just dwell on

Having to miss work for two weeks, God forbid.

Or having to pay the ten percent we’ll owe in

Medical bills.

To remove a tumor from my eardrum

That has eaten away at little bones

Used for hearing.

-

I think I am afraid…