Let Me Clear My Throat!
A couple weeks ago, I had some minor surgery to help me with a breathing problem, known as sleep apnea. Basically, there was a lot of tissue in the back of throat which made it hard to breathe properly when I sleep. As a result, I was constantly tired - I would have to take naps at work and driving more than an hour was nearly impossible without taking a break. One other minor side effect is that you snore. I mean really snore. In fact, when my friends and I rolled to Australia we divvied up rooms based upon if you snore or don’t snore.
I actually was not too nervous @ the surgery until the actual day of the procedure. In fact, I partied hard with some of my boys who came up the wknd before However, when I picked my mom up the night before she told me that one of her friend's daughter just had the surgery and her voice changed and became more nasal. A fucked up voice is the last thing I need - I don’t need to give another reason for girls to diss me - my lame one liners are enough reason. Thankfully, the doctor assured me any changes would be temporary.
The hospital is just a unique experience. From the backless gown to the stupid socks they make you wear, they want to make you as uncomfortable and self- conscious as possible. I refused to take my shorts off - if I am having throat surgery, I figured what difference does it make. At first the nurse protested (still don’t know on what basis) but eventually she caved in.
As I walked to the operating room, I tried to look at the surgery board to make sure no intern would be scrubbing in on my surgery. A lot of my friends are in their intern year, so I apologize, but I do not want a rookie practicing on me.
Going to the actual OR was an actual trip. It was very close to what they showed on TV, but nothing like Nip/Tuck. There were about 5 people in the room when I entered. Everyone tried to make small talk, which I thought was funny because I would never see any of these people again. The anesthesiologist gave me a cocktail to relax. I remember telling him that I did not really feel its effect and preceded to tell him that I can hold my liquor and to "make it a double". The next thing I remember was waking up in post-op… I guess he got the last laugh.
The doctor warned me that this surgery was going to be a painful recovery, and he was not kidding. When I woke up, it felt like there was a sock in the back of my throat and that my throat was on fire. Swallowing my spit was impossible and drinking liquids was impossible - thank god for painkillers.. at first they had me on liquid painkillers, but eventually I got the good stuff. For the first couple days, I barely drank liquids or ate anything, despite pleas from my mom… Don’t get me wrong - I wanted to eat.. I kept dreaming about the first meal I would have when I could eat again.. it was straight out of a cartoon. Pasta, burritos, thai food was all swirling throughout my head. I made my mom and little sister eat their normal food in a different room, so I would not be tempted.. I guess the only good thing about this was I got to lose some pounds...
In any case - the surgery went well. I ended up taking about 2 weeks off after the surgery to recover, which in retrospect was one of the best things I could have done, as it reminded me of what it means to live a normal life again. Though the recovery was long and painful, it allowed me to do things I normally would not do, especially alone.
- Went to see Guru in the theater by myself
- Went to an oceanside café to read and reflect
- Went to the SF Zoo
- Went to an aquarium
- Walk throughout the city (normally I am in the car or in a cab)
- Went to the MOMA
- Attend a friend's yoga class
- Hiked through Mir Woods
- Went to a Haas networking event
- Took the Cal Train down to Palo Alto
- Went to the batting cages with a friend
- Went wine barrel tasting in Sonoma
- Read several books
- Caught up on sleep - woke every day at 11 and went to sleep by 12PM
In addition, since I could not talk, I began to really listen to people - it made me realize how little I listen to people and really hear what they have to say. I think we all have a tendency to talk more and so when someone else is talking, we are thinking about what we are going to say, rather than hearing what they have to say.
What else? I think my mom and I spent about a week together, which made me realize how cool my mom actually is. She has become really trendy and fashionable, does not mind if I cuss, or there if there is foul language. In general, she is really chill -though at one point she asked me why most all of my friends are guys.
In the end it was a good break from the norm. Got to enjoy life without the bottle or smoking. Too bad that extreme will not laugh.. The white boys are planning a big drinking event tomorrow, starting with Sake Bombs and Sushi. In the past, this has led to good times… fuck me.
I actually was not too nervous @ the surgery until the actual day of the procedure. In fact, I partied hard with some of my boys who came up the wknd before However, when I picked my mom up the night before she told me that one of her friend's daughter just had the surgery and her voice changed and became more nasal. A fucked up voice is the last thing I need - I don’t need to give another reason for girls to diss me - my lame one liners are enough reason. Thankfully, the doctor assured me any changes would be temporary.
The hospital is just a unique experience. From the backless gown to the stupid socks they make you wear, they want to make you as uncomfortable and self- conscious as possible. I refused to take my shorts off - if I am having throat surgery, I figured what difference does it make. At first the nurse protested (still don’t know on what basis) but eventually she caved in.
As I walked to the operating room, I tried to look at the surgery board to make sure no intern would be scrubbing in on my surgery. A lot of my friends are in their intern year, so I apologize, but I do not want a rookie practicing on me.
Going to the actual OR was an actual trip. It was very close to what they showed on TV, but nothing like Nip/Tuck. There were about 5 people in the room when I entered. Everyone tried to make small talk, which I thought was funny because I would never see any of these people again. The anesthesiologist gave me a cocktail to relax. I remember telling him that I did not really feel its effect and preceded to tell him that I can hold my liquor and to "make it a double". The next thing I remember was waking up in post-op… I guess he got the last laugh.
The doctor warned me that this surgery was going to be a painful recovery, and he was not kidding. When I woke up, it felt like there was a sock in the back of my throat and that my throat was on fire. Swallowing my spit was impossible and drinking liquids was impossible - thank god for painkillers.. at first they had me on liquid painkillers, but eventually I got the good stuff. For the first couple days, I barely drank liquids or ate anything, despite pleas from my mom… Don’t get me wrong - I wanted to eat.. I kept dreaming about the first meal I would have when I could eat again.. it was straight out of a cartoon. Pasta, burritos, thai food was all swirling throughout my head. I made my mom and little sister eat their normal food in a different room, so I would not be tempted.. I guess the only good thing about this was I got to lose some pounds...
In any case - the surgery went well. I ended up taking about 2 weeks off after the surgery to recover, which in retrospect was one of the best things I could have done, as it reminded me of what it means to live a normal life again. Though the recovery was long and painful, it allowed me to do things I normally would not do, especially alone.
- Went to see Guru in the theater by myself
- Went to an oceanside café to read and reflect
- Went to the SF Zoo
- Went to an aquarium
- Walk throughout the city (normally I am in the car or in a cab)
- Went to the MOMA
- Attend a friend's yoga class
- Hiked through Mir Woods
- Went to a Haas networking event
- Took the Cal Train down to Palo Alto
- Went to the batting cages with a friend
- Went wine barrel tasting in Sonoma
- Read several books
- Caught up on sleep - woke every day at 11 and went to sleep by 12PM
In addition, since I could not talk, I began to really listen to people - it made me realize how little I listen to people and really hear what they have to say. I think we all have a tendency to talk more and so when someone else is talking, we are thinking about what we are going to say, rather than hearing what they have to say.
What else? I think my mom and I spent about a week together, which made me realize how cool my mom actually is. She has become really trendy and fashionable, does not mind if I cuss, or there if there is foul language. In general, she is really chill -though at one point she asked me why most all of my friends are guys.
In the end it was a good break from the norm. Got to enjoy life without the bottle or smoking. Too bad that extreme will not laugh.. The white boys are planning a big drinking event tomorrow, starting with Sake Bombs and Sushi. In the past, this has led to good times… fuck me.
posted by G at
4:59 PM
3 Comments:
sucks to get called out by the mom on your lack of female friends...did she also ask if somesh is your "special friend"?
is seema your special friend?
I'd like to use this occasion to declare to the world that I am Gaurav's "special friend", hahaha.........nice post G.
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