The day of the operation itself went quite smoothly; into St.Georges for 7am and I am top of the list for the ENT surgeons. (result!) I met my doctor and my anaesthetist both who were thorough but lovely. Around 10:30am I was taken off into a changing room and got into the most fashionable NHS hospital gown along with green DVT socks and red theatre non slip slippers. I looked FAB. I got a bit teary eyed at this point; I had to say goodbye to my mumma, as I am an adult (haha) and I was also scared about being put to sleep. I even asked the anaesthetist (who's name was Richard and he will be called anything but Dick!) how I would wake up after. He explained it to me but at this point he was putting some strong gin and tonic into my veins and I didn't get to hear the answer. I woke up in recovery around 12pm and the pain hit me straight away. I think I asked for some water and when they gave it to me I cried because I couldn't even swallow it. They gave me some codeine which again I cried when I tried to take because it didn't seem to go down the right way. I then kept asking for my mum and I was so pleased when she rushed through those doors. The next hour was horrific. I vomited blood and vomiting is bad enough let alone when you've had surgery on your throat and it pulls at those muscles. That night I slept quite well considering; I was so dosed up on codeine and had used up a lot of nervous energy.
So today is Day 3. Day's 1-3 have been very tough. It's no longer jelly and ice cream that you are advised to eat but harsh foods to scrape away the scabs and to stop blood clots forming. I tried toast and choked, but funnily enough have been managing bread sticks and today managed a few crisps! If anybody wants to loose weight having your tonsils out is the way forward (I joke it's gross, don't do it)
I have sore ears, a stiff jaw, a swollen tongue, a swollen face and my teeth hurt. I am basically miserable and bored and have awful breath. (Fun times for my family!) Things I have found that have helped have been ice packs and then hot things on my neck, water with ice cubes in, and a travel pillow around my neck 24/7. Taking my pain meds at the correct times also helps me through. But anyway, I didn't write this blog to tell you all my symptoms and descriptions of scabs falling out my mouth (mmmm) rather I wanted to write this because going through something like this has taught me three things.
1. People will always surprise you; If someone I loved or cared about was going through an operation (no matter what it was) I would message them constantly (annoying I know) and they would most likely pre-occupy my thoughts for most of the day they went under and for the recovery time. The thing is, my family have been ever so loving and supportive and a few of my friends have been too and many people in my church, but I have learnt that I expect too much from people and it's come as a bit of a crash to earth to be honest. Some people I never would have thought would care for me have checked up on how I am (which is a lovely surprise) But, I've had to learn the past few days that not everybody thinks the way I do, or has the same heart as I do and that most people are so pre-occupied in their own stressors of life that it doesn't even occur to them to ask how I'm doing. This doesn't make them bad people, it just means they can't communicate with me on my level and this hurts my feelings. Maybe this makes me selfish for thinking people I thought cared should take 5 seconds out of their day for me, but I am grateful for my supportive few and will value and treasure them even more dearly from now on.
2. Never take well-health for granted; I used my voice ALOT. I sing and talk 24/7. So this not having a voice thing is quite frustrating. I thought I would enjoy lying in bed and watching movies for 2 weeks but 3 days in and I'm bored. I can't even make it through a film without falling asleep as the pain killers I'm on make me sleep a lot. I want to be outside, seeing friends, and drinking coffee and heck I even want the concentration to write my essay! I know I've just got to get through these next 11 days and I shall hopefully be back to my normal self. Maybe this is all teaching me something about not taking my good health for granted, and to get up and go do the things I want to whilst I can because you never know when something is going to knock you back or for how long. To the people out there suffering with long-term illnesses I salute you for getting up and on with life; even with the medication you are taking and the pain you are experiencing; keep inspiring us all.
3. You are never to old to need your mum; My mum has been my rock the past few days. She's been getting up in the night when I wake up, she's been forcing me to try and eat (which even if at the time I dislike her for, I know its for my own good) she's been bringing me up ice cold water and making sure I am comfortable. My parent's are amazing, a lot of people know this. Today for example they have both fulfilled their duties at church (Dad did baptisms) and this afternoon they hosted about 10 senior's for lunch all whilst making sure I was okay up here! They are balancing their hectic jobs and lives and now a poorly, emotional wreck of a daughter for 2 weeks - so keep them in your thoughts, and remember, you are never to old to need your mumma ;-)
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