Tonsillectomy

So for the first time in my life as I can remember, I underwent a real surgery, with full anesthesia and all. Tonsillectomy was the case – I had frequent cases of tonsillitis and related throat symptoms, so thanks to the courtesy of Dr. Amanda Maloney, M.D., now I am tonsils-free.

This is, I suppose, a rather bizarre review to put on my blog – my experience of a surgery. However, it’s a very personal and interesting topic nonetheless, so I won’t hesitate to cover.

1. 9 AM: I arrived with my girlfriend at Mt. Saint Joseph Hospital, on Kingsway, in Vancouver. It’s close to Kingsway and 15th Avenue… around that block anyways. With a couple of pre-surgery questions about allergies (which I am gladly free of entirely), I went onto get my blood tested to make sure it clots. I don’t have hemophilia, so that part went just smooth. My blood work was great. My heart rate was checked. I felt a gush of pride when the nurse asked, “Do you work out a lot?” upon seeing a 48~55 BPM heart rate. My heart is healthy and able to pump more blood on each cycle than the average heart!
2. 11 AM: After the above procedures were done, I had some time to be on the iPhone to take care of some emails and other business. It never stops, surgery or not. At 11 I was finally led into the waiting area, where the surgeon (Dr. Maloney) and the anesthesia specialist came to see me and introduce themselves before the procedure.
3. 11:30 AM: I was finally put in the Operating Room, and the anesthesia doctor started chatting me up. An IV tube was inserted into my left hand (somewhat painful step). Through the IV tube came my anesthetic, while an oxygen mask was put over my face to relax me. The lady engaged me in mindless light conversation about my work, vacation aspirations. I felt my lips go a bit tingly numb, as I felt relaxed. I kept talking, trying to see how long I can stay awake through it. And then… I was out.
4. 12:30 PM: I came back to consciousness. I did not remember (and still do not remember) falling asleep, as it usually is the case. Nobody remembers the precise moment they fall asleep. But in some ways, this was an even more interesting experience. My eyes were sorta sticky with ointment that they often put on your eyes when you go under. I watched as the faces of the nurses flashed in front of my hazily, struggling to come back into full consciousness. This was much different from waking from a deep slumber. However, it did not take long.. or did not seem like it.
5. 1 PM: I had asked for a wet towel to wipe my eyes clear, and I could now see properly. I had sat up a little bit. I suppose I am just always full of energy and eagerness – I was fully conscious in no time, making jokes at the nurses about bringing me margaritas and Playboy magazines. I was given a Metro instead. In an attempt to feel more awake, I engaged in conversation with one of the nurses. It worked well. I was fully back to myself in no time!
6. 1:30 PM: I was removed from the surgery recovery area, and back to the waiting area where I was kept for observation. At that point, my girlfriend was called, so she came back to see me after she went to grab a bite, and some shopping. I felt a bit tired and sleepy again after they gave me a liquid T3 pain killer. I slept probably for a good hour or two.
7. 2:30 PM: Dr. Maloney came by to check up on me – there was no bleeding where my tonsils were removed, and everything seemed fine, she said. I was still to be kept for 4 hours after the surgery to make sure everything goes well.
8. 3:00 PM: I went to the bathroom, and out of curiousity, opened my mouth in front of the mirror to see what it looked like in there. I was shocked to still see the dangling object from the centre of my throat. I thought that was called a tonsil the whole time. And after more careful observation, I noticed that the extra tissue on EITHER SIDE of the little dangling thing were removed. I inquired to my girlfriend about it, and she laughed at how I thought, the whole time, that my uvula was the tonsil. Now I know the difference between a Uvula and the Tonsils: See the Wikipedia page and the diagram on the Uvula and Tonsils.
9. 4:00 PM: I was discharged. The IV pipe was removed from my hand with a slight gush of blood that was  quickly stopped. The heart rate monitor was detached. I was fine to go.

Right after the surgery, I was quite chirpy, energetic, and recovering quick. My girlfriend had gone through the same procedure over a year ago – and she was astonished at how fast I was recovering. She commented at how low-energy she was, and how sick she felt, and she was just laying in bed half asleep for a while. Meanwhile, I was wondering why the information booklet said anything about having an adult picking me up after the surgery. I could have driven myself home easily. Instead of going straight home, we went to Safeway to buy some potatoes, ice cream, and other soft food. I made some mashed potatoes (I had to cool them before eating – warm food can rupture the vessels in my throat), and ate some pudding. We watched the new season Premiere of House MD.

However. The pain started getting worse in the evening, and I had a great deal of trouble sleeping. I was awaken every hour or so with pain. I had to drink water, and continuously take the Tylenol/Codeine pills I was prescribed.

Day 2 – despite my drowsiness, I managed to approve a proof at a print shop (Metro Printers in Vancouver, owned by Mike Kyers), and get some housework done. The pain is a bit worse, and my neck/throat area is more swollen with agitation after the surgery. The drowsiness from the Tylenol pills is worse, as I had to increase the dose. I am off to a nap now. That’s my review so far of this surgical experience.

I look forward to NOT having throat infections, and my girlfriend is looking forward to reduced snoring.

Late at night on Day 2, I experienced minor bleeding in the back of my throat, which was quickly stopped with some cold water. No big deal.

Day 3 – I woke up in excruciating pain as I had been asleep for over 5 hours without replenishing the Tylenol 3 in my system.. plus it usually hurts more after hours of inactivity in the throat. After 2 pills, and laying down for a bit, I am able to write this post. My girlfriend had some bad news on the phone at 8AM – nearly 1/3 of the kids in the Elsie Roy Elementary school (school that is a block away from my apartment in Yaletown) are at home with flu-like symptoms, suspected H1N1 line. And I live in a building inhabited with a few of those snoot-dripping children. The odds are totally against me for a bad combination. If I have the flu on top of my surgery, and start coughing and hacking, I may need to be put under anesthesia again to re-cauterize the surgery spot.

I usually don’t buy Lysol because the chemicals are too harsh and it’s not natural to chemically kill all germs on a surface (I usually use natural citrus-based cleansers and they do the trick), but today’s an exception – she will be here in a few hours with the strongest spray bottle of Lysol obtainable in the store, and every surface (including my office) will be wiped down and killed.

The pain is getting progressively worse each day, which is obviously bothering me. But there’s also the fact that I reduced my dosage of the T3s out of concern for my liver – I only take 2 at a time in the morning. T3 is one of those pills that you should try to take less of if you can live with some pain.