HOLEy but UNanesthetized

Currently in a state of part limbo due to the post operational mode, which is inevitable after having to subject myself to a challenge beyond any other. While it was partly a choice, it is pretty much one of life or death, where life clearly bellows its anthem for 99 reasons out of 100.

The challenge is not the choice itself for if that was so, it would have been as easy as flicking a coin or asking one random person on the street to pull a straw out of a hat.

The first time I’ve ever heard of it, I couldn’t help shed a tear. Thereafter, things just fell into place and while my surgeon’s secretary reckons I was scared senseless, maybe because I was timid, I was not.

I had a fair share of prayers, perhaps reality brought forth many many more than I’ve ever imagined. I was surprised that right to the point where they gave me the required dose of anaesthesia, I was calm. I did wonder why and I did ponder on the whole process. I slept like a baby, just like any other night. I even dreamt and I have absolutely no recollection of what the dream was about.

The next thing I know, the surgeon’s waking me up, asking me to clear my throat and one of the doctors said I was biting my lip for the entire duration. I wish somebody had video taped the process. I didn’t even get to see my thyroid, much less the lump.

The Recovery Room period was synonymous to what I think hell would be like. However, while the latter would be fiery hot, the former was overly chilly, hence they put a light by my bed, whereby I felt like a chicken with eggs that are about to hatch. I spewed a good many times and my head felt like it was about to explode. I sincerely asked the attending staff if I could sit up. NO.

Next up, my right hand where they’ve put the dextrose has blown up like a pin cushion as the needle was knocked off the vein during the operation. I was reminded of Shallow Hall, my brother said it was like The Nutty Professor.

And that was the longest moment of my life. I think I was in recovery for a couple of hours and then I was told that I’ll be going back to my room after I’ve had my sit up attempt when the attendant was not looking. I felt a tingle of blood flow down my neck and then I slowly lied back down. I still had to wait a good 30 minutes or so as they had papers to sign and all that so-called formality. I decided to nod off the remaining minutes.

Finally they pushed the stretcher out of the Recovery Dungeon and into the hallways. I felt the tremendous Filo heat and missed the chilly air of the dungeon. Right before I reached my room, I felt a surge of vomit longing to be released from their entrapment. I made an awful sound, the pushers did not react in haste and then I decided to vomit on the side of the stretcher and let it drip down the hospital floors. Hey, I won’t ever get away with this on just any given day. Besides, I wouldn’t want to swallow used up, spoiled rotten anaesthetic.

For the next couple of days, I refused to lie down and even sleep. Thank goodness for the sit-ups and crunches in jazz class, I could pretty much get up without using too much of my neck muscles.

Was up walking around and all the second day. I had my series of blood tests and needle pokes. Progress, in my book has been speedy. It just gets better each day. The bugs bunny threads sticking out of my neck has been removed this morning and I’ll pretty much go back to doing normal people stuff.

On the downer side of things, I’ll be subject to radiation for a number of sessions just to be on the safe side. That being said, anything can happen.

I guess I have more things to be thankful for. Whatever was dubbed suffering during the entire challenge was not at all prolonged, the operation was on the nose, the needlework was top notch and the lab results were non-malignant. Not to forget I’ve had a lot of tv and dvd time, me time, family time plus rest and relaxation. Stuff I couldn’t have managed in Sydney.

Friday will be some kind of d-day as to what is going to happen next. Sigh. Holding my breath. Crossing my fingers. Change ain’t so bad, I just had to let out a cry for all things I’ve had that I’ve grown attached to in Sydney.

Things can still get way better than that.