It Worked

Well, I’m finally almost fully recovered from having my tonsils and adenoids removed.  I got them out on Nov. 7 and it wasn’t easy, let me tell ya.

I sat for 3 hours with an IV in my hand because there was an emergency situation in the OR that I was supposed to be going into next.  I wasn’t allowed to have anything to eat or drink from midnight on, so I was really hungry sitting there, but I had Mike and my parents beside me.  Mike looked so upset when he saw the IV in my hand–it was sweet.  He kept trying to talk me into letting him roll me out of there.

Finally the nurses came and took me to the OR.  They said it would only take 3 breaths to knock me out.  I was staring at the big lights and sterile room with all the people in masks and white coats up until drag 6–that’s when I finally blacked out.

When I woke again, some guy I hadn’t met yet was taking all the tape off of my skin.  He handed me a purple ice pop as my family walked in.  It didn’t take long before they were wheeling me out.  They had to help me into the car, where I did OK up until I had to climb the stairs to my bedroom.  Oooo, that didn’t go well.  I almost threw up right there on my brand new carpet.  The rest of the night was a blur.  I remember thinking that veggie broth was freakin’ amazing shit (which I later thought was bland as hell after the anesthesia finally wore off).

For days after that I slept a lot, felt sick often, and watched a lot of True Blood (now my favorite new show on TV).  I didn’t have the attention span to do anything else, and I wasn’t allowed to do any bending or running or going outside.  I ate more soup, like V8, and applesauce, pudding, cheesecake filling, and mashed potatoes.  Ice cream, however, was too cold for my ears, which hurt badly when I swallowed.  I slept every night with a glass of water beside the bed (which got knocked over at least two or three times by Scout).  By day 3, I could finally eat pasta (no marinara).  The cats kept me company after day 5, when Mike had to go back to work.  Scout would sleep at my chest, Sonny at my hip, and Guinness at my feet.  We were a cozy sight. Between the meds and the mostly liquid diet, I had the shits like a baby (sorry, I know, TMI).  It was so unpleasant.

The pain meds made the world move in slow motion, and I dreamt really odd things, like Alvin and the Chipmunks singing about some guys overcoat.  Weird.  Finally by this passed Monday I was able to start back to work, eat salad (lettuce and dressing only), and begin slowly weening myself off the pain medication.  Thursday night, Mike took me to Ruby Tuesdays for a bella turkey burger–I was so happy.

From night one, Mike has been able to finally sleep without his ear plugs.  I no longer snore like a bear or gasp and choke for air several times a night.  He says I sleep pretty sound, with hardly a peep.  As for my own sense of progress, I have noticed a slight increase in energy, mostly in it being easier to wake up in the morning and stay up at night.  I also haven’t fallen asleep at my desk–a very good thing.

It’s a rough road and a scary one, but if you have sleep apnea and you’re young, get your tonsils removed.  It’s worth it.  You don’t want to be hooked up to an ugly machine at night for the rest of your life.

I’d like to take this moment to thank Mike for holding me when it was painful or scary and bringing me lots of drinks, and for holding my hair back when I thought I would throw up.  I want to thank my mom for making me her awesome Nothing Soup and for cleaning my house every day.  I also want to thank my dad for stopping in every afternoon when I was home alone to be sure I was doing ok.  And to Aunt Brenda for the bringing the ice cream when I was finally able to start eating it, and Aunt Carmela for bringing me pasta for lunch, and Mike’s mom and my Grandmom for the beautiful flowers (which I’m pressing to use later).  You all have been awesome.