Hello, my name is Elizabeth. It's been 11 days since my last post. Despite this lack of activity, I'm a food blogger. I swear I am.
Those of you who know me personally or who follow (eagerly) my riveting Facebook and/or Twitter posts know that on April 16, my beloved underwent a tonsillectomy. At first, this seems pretty mundane. But once you realize we're NOT talking about the Wunderkind, it starts to register. <<Wait, tonsils taken out for a 44 year old man?>> This is where the record comes to a screeching halt and everyone freezes. That's right...
I've always heard how awful they are for adults versus children. Even the doctors who examined Neil said things like "Wow, how are you even breathing? Those suckers need to come out." and "This is going to be an incredibly rough recovery." and "It isn't going to be easy for you to recover and it isn't going to be easy for me to get those things outta there." That's just to name a few. The other remarkable thing is how once this happens to you (or your spouse), it seems that people start coming out of the woodwork who also have had to endure this procedure later in life. And, the stories are all pretty much the same. I'd rather have my C-sections all over again than that damn tonsillectomy, I've never had so much pain in my life, Ice cream my ass, Day 5 is the worst, Then when I thought I was getting better my ears started killing me.
So, I was prepared. I stocked this house with popsicles, ice cream, pudding, yogurt, Italian ice. I was ready for requests for broth, soup, mashed potatoes. Well, nothing has gone according to the plan I had in my head. The evening of the surgery, Neil was so damn hungry when we got home from the hospital, we just wanted food. I realized that he was exhibiting some post-anesthesia bravado, but I obliged and made the requested mashed potatoes. He managed to get about half of that down before the rest of the anesthesia high wore off and the reality set in. So, the next two days he was doing good to get a couple of swallows of yogurt down here and there. By day three, the poor man was starving but completely unwilling to taunt fate with the pain and opted for hunger instead. It was heart-breaking.
So, it's been long week. Flashing back to the Grateful Dead, "what a long, strange trip it's been." After lots of pain, failed attempts at eating, crummy sleep and general discomfort, Neil is improving. I have tried to remind him each day that in the long run, this is all going to be worth it. One positive already, he's breathing so much easier when he sleeps. It's true what they say though. To have tonsils removed as an adult sucks. It's way different than kids...they are younger, tonsils are smaller and their bodies are more resilient. If your kids have frequent sore throats, strep infections, etc. make sure your pediatrician documents it all very carefully so if it's necessary to have your child's tonsils taken out, it will be done early and without a lot of insurance hassle.
Before I go, I'll tell you this. I left my entire week open so I could be here to take care of my husband. Consequently, I've had extra time in the kitchen. This week, I've made a perfect version of Bang-bang shrimp, no-bake energy bites, skillet pizzas and various versions of nachos. After this healthcare hiatus, I should be able to come up with lots to blog to you fine folks in the coming days. Eat, drink, be merry and be glad that swallowing doesn't make you want to die!
Those of you who know me personally or who follow (eagerly) my riveting Facebook and/or Twitter posts know that on April 16, my beloved underwent a tonsillectomy. At first, this seems pretty mundane. But once you realize we're NOT talking about the Wunderkind, it starts to register. <<Wait, tonsils taken out for a 44 year old man?>> This is where the record comes to a screeching halt and everyone freezes. That's right...
The adult tonsillectomy.
I've always heard how awful they are for adults versus children. Even the doctors who examined Neil said things like "Wow, how are you even breathing? Those suckers need to come out." and "This is going to be an incredibly rough recovery." and "It isn't going to be easy for you to recover and it isn't going to be easy for me to get those things outta there." That's just to name a few. The other remarkable thing is how once this happens to you (or your spouse), it seems that people start coming out of the woodwork who also have had to endure this procedure later in life. And, the stories are all pretty much the same. I'd rather have my C-sections all over again than that damn tonsillectomy, I've never had so much pain in my life, Ice cream my ass, Day 5 is the worst, Then when I thought I was getting better my ears started killing me.
So, I was prepared. I stocked this house with popsicles, ice cream, pudding, yogurt, Italian ice. I was ready for requests for broth, soup, mashed potatoes. Well, nothing has gone according to the plan I had in my head. The evening of the surgery, Neil was so damn hungry when we got home from the hospital, we just wanted food. I realized that he was exhibiting some post-anesthesia bravado, but I obliged and made the requested mashed potatoes. He managed to get about half of that down before the rest of the anesthesia high wore off and the reality set in. So, the next two days he was doing good to get a couple of swallows of yogurt down here and there. By day three, the poor man was starving but completely unwilling to taunt fate with the pain and opted for hunger instead. It was heart-breaking.
So, it's been long week. Flashing back to the Grateful Dead, "what a long, strange trip it's been." After lots of pain, failed attempts at eating, crummy sleep and general discomfort, Neil is improving. I have tried to remind him each day that in the long run, this is all going to be worth it. One positive already, he's breathing so much easier when he sleeps. It's true what they say though. To have tonsils removed as an adult sucks. It's way different than kids...they are younger, tonsils are smaller and their bodies are more resilient. If your kids have frequent sore throats, strep infections, etc. make sure your pediatrician documents it all very carefully so if it's necessary to have your child's tonsils taken out, it will be done early and without a lot of insurance hassle.
Before I go, I'll tell you this. I left my entire week open so I could be here to take care of my husband. Consequently, I've had extra time in the kitchen. This week, I've made a perfect version of Bang-bang shrimp, no-bake energy bites, skillet pizzas and various versions of nachos. After this healthcare hiatus, I should be able to come up with lots to blog to you fine folks in the coming days. Eat, drink, be merry and be glad that swallowing doesn't make you want to die!
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