Abnormally large and lumpy. That is how my doctor described my tonsils. My tonsils were coming out, whether I liked it or not. Surgery was not something that I wanted to do; however, removing the bumpy masses from the back of my throat would improve my sleeping and hopefully my snoring. Despite my nervousness, I still managed to learn a few things my first time under the knife.
1. Anesthetic can make a person super emotional.
As my doctors put me under, they were having me talk and breathe normally. I started to feel funny. The laughter in my chest began to bubble over, and all I could think was that I wish I could cry right now. Upon waking up in recovery, I was in some pain, but fortunately my pain meds were very, very strong. I told the nurse I wanted to cry, and she said that was normal. So there I was tonsil-less and bawling. Anesthetic was like a breakdown of any emotional barrier I had. My crying did not prevent my mom from cracking up at everything coming out of my mouth.
2. Even when I am super drugged, my sarcasm is intact.
Oh, the things that flew out of my mouth in the recovery room. My mother tried to help by braiding my hair out of my face. One nurse asked if we were at the salon. "Yeah, um I don't think so," I spat back at her. The drugs kept my pain at bay, but I was talking up a storm. I gave the kid in the next room some encouragement as he walked past my room. My mom told me to keep my voice down because I was definitely throwing major shade at anyone who would listen.
3. I am such a good dancer.
Although I am a classically trained ballerina, my drugged-up-self was "werking it" in my hospital attire. Not only did I hit the hardest "dab" of all time, I think I became a master of "the drop" through my recovery period. Dancing down the hall and skipping outside, my doctor pulled me aside to make sure I took it easy. Most people are not going to jam out of surgery, but believe me, I did.
4. Mashed potatoes and lots of fluids.
Thankfully, my mom has been a great nurse the past few days. I mean I am high maintenance when I haven't had organs removed from my body. Mashed potatoes have been my best friend the past few days. The drugs I have keep the pain down, and my mom has basically been waterboarding me with fluids. Recovery hasn't been all peaches and cream; however, I feel a little better every day.
I am no expert on recovery from surgery. In fact, I am probably the last person you should go to for advice. I survived my first surgery and that is pretty cool to me. Living my best life: tonsil free.
