[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

My dad's had a double hernia repair.

My brother, as a toddler, had a double hernia repair.

And I, when I was 11, had a double hernia repair.

Thanks for the weak groin muscles, Dad!

I was mortified because I was an underdeveloped pre-teen and my parents wisely chose a cadre of male doctors to look after me. Never mind that I cried in shame the first time I had to drop my pants in front of them.

And when I awoke from the surgery, there were two bandages cut to look like hearts glued to my groin area. This only confirmed my worst fears about the doctors noticing that I was a girl. Yeah, I know. They're doctors. Of COURSE they noticed. But did they have to notice notice?

Good luck!