If you have not checked out Thao Nguyen yet, please do.
Our whole family busted some serious moves to this song on our road trip to NC.
Tonsil Hell and Beyond… July 6, 2010
I am sick of thinking & talking about my tonsils. It’s all slightly embarrassing. Getting ones tonsils out conjures up images of cute little kids with slightly sad faces that light up with each fresh dish of ice cream. It’s a whole different game for adults. If you are a parent whose child is getting their tonsils out, stop reading. It’s not the same. You’re doing a good thing getting your kid’s tonsils out while they are still young and ever so resilient. This guide is for adult tonsillectomy so don’t freak yourself out by reading any further. Thank you, come again!
I should start by saying I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV so this is just advice from me based on my own recent experience. I am hoping this can be a resource for those who are about to have or love someone who has undergone the removal of those little bags of infected throat blockage. Pleasant.
I felt unprepared for the process, for the pain. Although in retrospect I do remember my doctor saying, “In some ways it’s easier to get shot because you fix the wound and it heals, gets better and better each day. Not so with a tonsillectomy. It progressively feels worse.” He was not lying and yet still I did not feel prepared. Lovely doctor, horrible procedure.
I gave birth to my 2 boys via c-section. I didn’t take any meds post surgery because I was a nut with worry about it in my breastmilk. So I kind of thought I had this. I was most worried about going under with general anesthesia and figured once I came out of that, I was through the rough part. Again, so wrong.
First off, don’t Google. Too late I suppose because here you are. It’s true to say that everyone’s experience is different and that bodies heal differently. I think it’s also true to say that people romanticize or just forget so it wasn’t helpful to me to read people saying, “I was eating barbecued ribs the 3rd day!” or hear people (and by people I mean my dear brother) say, “By the 2nd day I was like screw it, I ate fried and breaded Japanese porkkatsu.” edit to add: My mother reminds me that he got his tonsils out in Thailand and DID stay in the hospital for 4 days after the surgery. Apples and Oranges. I did not eat anything except popsicles for 6 days. If you know me, you are picking up that going without food is unprecedented.
Make sure you have help. I asked my mother to come up rather last minute and am so grateful she was able to be there for me. Some of my most comforting moments were when she brought me a cold cloth (super mom trick that works in any number of circumstances that I happily use with my own kids). She initially booked a ticket, staying a week, but had to extend when it became obvious that I was going to need help beyond day 7. I really think it’s rather inhumane that this is a day surgery. A decision that I think has less to do with patient needs than with insurance but I’m not bitter.
This link was very helpful: Adult Tonsillectomy – Guide for Friends and Family. “Just when you think your loved one is on the mend (and believe me, they’ll think so too!) the scabs start to come off. The pain this causes pretty much pushes the patient to and beyond their pain threshold. The pain is not only in the throat, but in the ears – and is EXTREMELY painful…” So true, so true. This helped my mom give me and my slight bitchiness a break. The visual, for her, of the scabs was enough to allow her to forgive my occasional attitude. Given all with my eyes at this point because I still could not speak. It’s been 2 & 1/2 weeks and my voice is still not back to normal. Another helpful hint – I used a text aloud app on my iphone as a “voice” for a week or so there. It’s hard to be when someone bitches through an artificial electronic voice. “Bring me a another damn popsicle now.”
In terms of food, you’ll definitely be thinking about it. I watched Food Network like a crazy person and drew up an elaborate list of dishes to make when I was able. And last night I crossed off, Palak Paneer and Coriander and Coconut Fish. But in terms of eating post surgery I really didn’t. I threw up Ensure on day 3 so I just went without. If you can keep down something nutritious, you’ll probably heal faster than me. The best tip was given to my mom, via FB, was Cheese Puffs. In addition to getting your tonsils out, I think they kind of break your tongue. I could (still) feel exactly where they clamped down my tongue for the surgery and my poor little guy still feels swollen and sore. Eating was hard. So initially taking tiny little bits of cheese puffs was the answer. Tip – hit the health food store for a huge variety of puffs, including Veggie Booty. It was good to have variety, I think I managed to try 10 or 11 different kinds, rejecting some but happy for the variety at that point. I do not like popsicles, I don’t remember ever liking them but suck them down I did. It helped to have one to get the horrible taste of the medicine down. Oh the horrid taste of the medicine. I am not a big medicine taker, if I can get away with not taking I don’t. But I was swilling this crap down. My hazy life was measured in 6 hour increments. I was not prepared for how blurry it made my vision. I could watch tv, thank goodness but after day 3 and I hit stage 2 of recovery, I could not text, type or read without feeling super nauseous.
The irony of it all is that I am kind of addicted to Slurpees, icees, coolatas, slushys. Whatever you call them, I like them. Kind and loving friends and a family brought me many a cup but they were too too sugary and sugar seemed to irritate my throat as much as citrus. I could do popsicles but that was the sugar level I could take.
In terms of pain – ice. Ice helped tremendously, particularly when the pain went into my ears. Having an ice pack along my throat and ears helped. Stock your freezer. And be on top of the meds, in an effort to take them before it hurts too bad. It’s going to hurt worse when you wake up because you weren’t swallowing while you were asleep. Get a humidifier and set it up near your upright sleeping self. If it doesn’t help, it makes others feel like they are helping by changing the water. Who knows!
This is what I wish someone had done for me: I am taking you firmly by the shoulders, looking you in the eyes and telling you, “This is going to be some intense pain. It will hurt but you will get through it, and somewhere down the line, be glad you did it.” (I’m not there yet myself) Hope it helps.
Baby Love May 25, 2010
I was lucky enough to spend the morning with my friend and take some photos of her new baby. She is adorable, but I resisted the urge to have a third child.
But if I did (not going to), I decided he would be named Wendell.
Baby love.
Eartha, Can You Hear Me? May 10, 2010
Missing you Ms Kitsch (and even Jack).
Saw this and thought of you both.
Be well and be in touch!
T
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom May 9, 2010
Thank you Mom
For all the work you have done and continue to do for our family (and now my own family).
I appreciate you.
You are beautiful.
Breath May 5, 2010
It’s the final push at work, summer vacation coming. Feeling emotional to say goodbye to a wonderful group of kiddos and feeling a little like I am swimming in all the work of wrapping up a school year.
So I am taking the time to really appreciate spring, not flash forward to summer but to really take the time to notice all the new growth at our house. This is our first spring in the new house, our first house, and it’s so exciting to mark time by what’s blooming.
I feel lucky that this beautiful mature wisteria graces our front porch.
I am taking the time to smell (and photograph) the flowers.
7 things April 10, 2010
I have been tagged by my much more beautiful, wittier, cooler and way younger blogger friend, Potty Mouth Mama.
Blame her.
1. I have used the word SHAZAM 2 3 times recently on my blog. Note to self, stop it.
2. I was born in Thailand. On my first trip back to the United States at around 8 months or so, some lady scolded my mom for traveling with a baby who obviously had the mumps. I did not.
3. I hate socks. I almost never wear socks. I live in the Northeast. My feet are often cold.
4. I do not like the sound of teeth brushing. You would be surprised how often movies and television depict people doing it. When I encounter the horrid noise, I stick my fingers in my ears, close my eyes and sing, “I’ve been working on the railroad”. I hate teeth.
Refuse to illustrate my pain.
Ok, could not resist. Yuck, right?
5. I am kind of scared of butterflies. They always fly at you so janky, seemingly without direction.
6. I once called 911 because I heard screaming. It turned out to be my screen saver.
7. I have squirrels living in my roof. I do not think they are cute even if Etsy tells me I should. 4,229 results for squirrel. No thanks.
Notice how I dropped off the photos at the end?
It was that or never publish and since I care about what Potty Mouth thinks of me, here it is.
I forgot to tag some folks. Here goes:
1.) Green Jello, I know you are not posting much these days. Neither am I. Just do it.
2.) Visty over at The Rinrins
3.) Kelly, or Ms Kitsch when you’re thrifty (did you hear Janet Jackson?) when your blog is up and running I would be thrilled if you would do me the honors. (p.s.- miss you like crazy over at Flickr)
4.) The Hidden Library, throw your hat into the ring?
5) any and all folks who would like to join.
If I forgot you, forgive me. I am computer-saturated.
Matinee Showing March 28, 2010
We are lucky enough to have these amazing vintage puppets on loan. They are so detailed and vibrant. The boys spent at least an hour setting up plays. Not so much dialogue but apparently the puppets are Irish step dancing enthusiasts.
Moment of deep concentration.
My youngest had to ask me for a few weeks to get these down off the top shelf. I was dragging my feet but am glad I took them from decorative to functional play today. The boys were careful with them and had a great time, not to mention I got a few shots out of it!
And now for all you Beyonce fans, we’re starting them young:
Craft: March 25, 2010
Shazam! I would have cleaned up had I known you were coming!
Nothing like a little shout out from Craft, to make you feel tingly all ovah.
Question March 14, 2010
I can not remember the name of an interior design site, I know you can help.
You post your photos and people vote how they like it, give suggestions, share advice etc. It may have even been a thumbs up/thumbs down thing, can’t remember.
Any thoughts?
And while we are at it, I like Apartment Therapy and Design Sponge plus I find Flickr to be a great source for amazing home photos but where else do you find inspiration online?
Thank you ever so much.
