TGIF.
My tonsils and I have finally, after 36 years, parted ways. It’s the end of an era.
For now, I am blogging from the comfort of my bed. Molly will only leave my side when Mr PugRunner takes her downstairs to eat or go outside.
Loyalty, thy name is pug.
Anyway, after today, I have permission to get up and around a bit. Mr PugRunner can drop me off at the movies and I’m hoping maybe we can go to our friends’ house for a few hours. We’re just going to play it all be ear.
As Wednesday wore on, I started to more stressed and anxious. Mr PugRunner planned a really nice afternoon for us, with lunch on the beach (blackened mahi) and a vanilla frozen custard at Rita’s. When we got home, I tidied the house, packed little man’s things for his big sleepover at his friend’s house and then we headed out to dinner with some friends.
One cheese enchilada verde (BEST tomatillo sauce right there), one beef taco, rice and beans. And yes, those are my two-for-one happy hour margaritas. My cutoff point for food and drink was midnight and I was taking full advantage.
Upon saying goodnight, we packed the car and brought little man to his friend with his sleeping bag and all his stuff. When we got home, I hydrated like crazy. We had to be at the surgery center by 6:00, so I unsuccessfully attempted to go to bed on the earlier side to be fresh for the 4:30AM alarm. Not the best night’s sleep, but I figured that’s how it was going to go down.
I showered, dressed, put together my contact case and saline (I was hoping they would let me wear my contacts while I was out, but if not, I had to have a backup plan), made sure I wasn’t wearing any jewelry and we headed out.
The nurse got us checked in very quickly, and then it was time to get me prepped.
Anxiety began kicking in at this point. I was freezing cold and they gave me this special gown that could be hooked up to a heater (what do I have to do to get one of these in my home???) and some fancy compression stockings with open toes to help with circulation.
I get to wear these bad boys for about 24 hours or until I’m walking around again. And yes, I polished my toes before we left. Priorities.
After my IV was in, Mr PugRunner came back to sit with me. The curtains were drawn around the area where I was laying, but I could see the clock (ticking oh, so ominously), and the ENT and other doctors walking around.
There was one case ahead of me, and then the anesthesiologist came in.
I told him that I had had a lovely visit and was ready to ditch the drip, put on my clothes, head out and a good day to them all. He was so sweet and reassuring and promised that it was going to be fine. He was going to stay in the OR and make sure everything was fine, and he promised that I wouldn’t feel or remember a thing. He also said I could keep my contacts if I felt more comfortable (as well as gave me the rundown of the risks) which made him my favorite. Of course, Mr PugRunner googled him the minute he left the area, and all results were positive so I was in good hands.
Then Dr. S came in to see if I had any last minute questions. At this point, I started tearing up. We joked around a little and I told him I was a huge control freak, and if he would just tell me how to do the tonsillectomy, I would totally take care of it on my own. He got me calmed down and told the anesthesiologist to get me some “happy juice”.
And then it was time. Mr PugRunner said goodbye and the nurse wheeled me back to the OR. I was really feeling the happy juice at this point, and I couldn’t stop thinking that the hall to the ER looked like the warehouse of an industrial thrift shop. So crazy. I was able to shift myself to the table, and the anesthesiologist did his thing. The last thing I remember is me getting a little panicky because OMG it was absolutely hurting as it raced up my arm and my side and he said it was normal and OK, and the oxygen mask went on and nothing.
I came to in the recovery area with a nurse calling my name. I sat bolt upright, completely confused as to where I was and what was going on. It came to me in a minute, and the nurse sat me back and got me some ice water. I needed to cough really badly because there was so much junk in the back of my throat, so she got me some ice water, which I was able to sip.
Mr PugRunner got to me before the doctor and told me that it only took about 30 minutes but it was tough and my tonsils were – brace yourselves – the worst the ENT has seen in 25 years. Dr S confirmed this when he came to check on me, in great detail. He said that these should have been out years ago, and even though he prefers not to do adult tonsillectomies, this was the one that needed to be done.
I kind of want a plaque.
Also, and this was obviously the “happy juice” talking, I kind of wanted to see them, as did the discharge nurse. She went to see if we could, but they had already been sent to Pathology. Probably a good thing.
Finally, it was time to get dressed and head home. I was wobbly and my calves were really sore in the compression stockings, but the nurse said these were normal, so I tried not to worry.
An hour later, I was able to get comfy and crawl into bed with my favorite nursemaid.
I spent most of the day dozing in and out. Mr PugRunner is keeping on me about drinking Gatorade and ice water, so I don’t get dehydrated, and he’s making sure I’m taking my meds on time. I’m tired and a little weak. Truth be told, the pain in my throat isn’t as bad as I anticipated. It’s sore and raw, and difficult to swallow, and I can’t talk, but it’s tolerable.
I’ve been able to eat a little applesauce, but I am HUNGRY. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I figured I would be so miserable that I would curl up and sleep and not worry about anything else. Guess not.
Also amazing? My friend brought over the Fast & the Furious movies for me, Mr PugRunner picked up Warm Bodies from RedBox AND I got an awesome delivery in the mail from an annual book exchange in which I participate.
(A Feast for Crows is mine, but I was lazy and didn’t feel like reorganizing the pile).
I may not be allowed to run, but I will be able to read about it! Yay!
So here we are. I have my follow up appointment on July 3 and hopefully, there will be good news (As in, maybe I can start doing some kind of low-impact exercise. Or eat lots of popcorn. Or both!)
The surgery center was wonderful. All the nurses and staff were so incredible and compassionate. It was a really scary morning for me, and everyone was understanding and sweet and did their best to put me at ease. I am very thankful for that.
I am also so grateful to all our friends and family for helping with little man, and for all their love and support. It meant the world to all of us and helped make today go so much more smoothly.
Since I’m going to be taking it easy for the next few days, I need some advice!
I can go to the movies. Do I want to see White House Down, Man of Steel or Now You See Me?
What are ways you keep from going stir-crazy when you’re on limited physical activity?
How are you spending this weekend? Let me live vicariously through you!
Glad you’re home and doing okay! I would have been freaking out, too. I really think you should get yourself a plaque made since they weren’t able to give you one for worst tonsils of the decade or something like that.
I’ve read Train like a Mother & I love that book! Love their podcast too!
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I think I may. I wonder if the ENT took pictures. I’ll have to ask.
I’ve never listened to a podcast, but TLAM comes very highly recommended. Maybe I should start.
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Glad everything went well. I have never had surgery so I imagine if i had one now at 44 I owuld be freaking out. Also a fellow control freak, maybe that has something to do with it. I am bad one about not going stir crazy, but reading is always good and you have some good choices. Hope your recheck goes great!
This is my second surgery. I had my gallbladder removed in my early twenties. However, I was admitted for that surgery straight from the ER, so there wasn’t any buildup. No consultation, no discussion, no scheduling. It was “Yeah, that needs to GO stat,” and off to the OR.
I just want to get up and run around or do something, but the more I rest, the better I will heal. Or something. Thank you!
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Can’t help you with the movies. I haven’t been to the movies in like FOREVER. I honestly don’t even remember what I saw last, see long time. I will say Man of steel cause I like Superman, and well that’s the only one I recognise.
I’m a big reader, so I love to read. And when I’m not in the mood to read, then sew, love sewing, but i need to be in a mood. Otherwise, phaffing around on the pc, I’m good at that too.
This weekend my kiddies are at their dads
But I’m in need of a kid free weekend/ break. It’s winter school holidays now, so they will be there until Wednesday, and so in that time i hope to get a lot of gardening done. Oh and some running of course.
And ooh the book, I’ve been eyeing that book off, let us know what it’s like.
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Girl, I love the movies. We just saw Epic and Monsters University and we are in for Despicable Me 2 next week. Cannot wait!
I am excellent at phaffing on the PC. I used to do counted cross stitch, but I don’t have any kits on hand. Boo. I should have thought of that. I wanted to work on DIY medal hangers for the family, but I couldn’t find the wood I wanted this week, I’m pretty sure that power tools & pain meds do not play nicely together.
Enjoy your you time and your gardening!
I will totally review the book! I’m excited to get started!
Aaww I ha my tonsils out when i Was 11. I don’t remember much about that but I did have my wisdom teeth out last October. That was not fun at all. The recovery was long for me and I had to give up running for like a month.
hopefully you get to get back out there soon!! Happy recovery!!
I have to get my wisdom teeth out, too, but this was priority. I wanted them to do both procedures at the same time, but apparently, that’s not a thing. Blah.
I have a 5K on August 2nd. I don’t have time to be laid up for a month! I am counting the minutes til my followup, and I hope I get good news.
You have some tough tonsils girl. You should get an award for having the worst they’ve seen in that long!! I’m not a huge movie watcher so I can’t help much. I usually just make a list of what needs to be done and catch up on blogs!! Feel better and enjoy your downtime!
Emma @ a mom runs this town recently posted…Flashback Friday Meals
Right? The knowledge of that makes up for the discomfort. A little.
I am catching up on blogs. I felt awful that I couldn’t focus enough to get through many yesterday. I love the running blogger community, and I really love keeping up with everyone from day to day. I hope I can get through my bloglovin’ list today
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Good luck on your recovery! BTW- I have heard the book World War Z is amazing!
I am hitting of my first week of Half IM training by taking it off to spend with my husband (oops)? So much for athlete of the year award. HAHA
Wornout Soles recently posted…I think I’m going to puke
i’ve heard it’s good, too! I won’t be able to see the movie because I am deathly afraid of zombie movies, but I should be able to handle the book.
Aw. Have a wonderful week!
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Movies are my fav…. I would suggest now you see me… My son saw it and said it was great….. It’s on my list. My sister and I are off to see The Heat…. That looks great too… I ran enough for both of is today so you relax about that… I will have to look into that run like a mother book… Looking for some good reading…. Another suggestion is Wild it was a very inspiring female adventure book… Look it up…have a great weekend
Now You See Me looks really good.
Thanks for picking up my slack on the running. Everyone raves about the Run Like A Mother books, so I’m excited. I’ve also heard great things about Wild. Thanks for the tip!
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Happy you’re home and on the road to recovering. Drugs! That’s the only thing that keeps me from going stir crazy with limited activity
My weekend is back to back runs of 6 and 18 miles.
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted…What’s Beautiful. i am enough PROJECT.
I do have drugs! LOL!
Whoa! those are some miles! Good luck!
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Oh my goodness, so glad everything went smoothly!! Maybe being lazy for a few days won’t be such a bad thing
ESP with some extra pug-lovin! Hopefully you’ll be up and at ‘em sooner than planned! I’ll be running a 5K in the morning, but it’s going to be HOT, so we shall see how this one goes! Happy Friday!!!
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I’m the worst at being lazy. I really am. But I run out of energy to quickly, and So I’m just going to do what I can. Pug-lovin’ is quite easy to come by here.
Have a great 5K!
I am so glad you’re surgery went well! I threw up for hours after mine, and that was the only surgery that had me hurling. It’s funny now, but not then. And I had a lot of throat pain for weeks. But, my tonsils were actually ok, and taking them out was a precautionary measure since one was perpetually swollen since I can remember.
Man of Steel. Not that I have seen any of them.
I read, watch tv/youtube/movies, play nerdy video games, or knit.
I start vacation tomorrow! Ok, actually, my vacation starts at 4:30 today when I walk out the door and get in my car.
The kids and I fly tomorrow to my mom’s for the week. Should be fun trying to keep 2 teens entertained with no internet or cable/satellite tv/xbox. If my mom’s tv even works. lol
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Ouch! I was so scared about throwing up after this. They pumped me up with anti-nausea meds prior to operating and my ENT gave me a scrip for more to use at home. So far, so good. I’m looking forward to never getting the kind of strep where my tonsils swell over and I end up in the hospital.
Have a wonderful vacation! I have my fingers crossed that the TV works! If not, lots of close family time!
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Glad to hear that you’re home safe and sound!
What made you go to an ENT? I’ve been having a lot of sinus issues lately, and I’m thinking it’s time to suck it up and go. Do you have any recommendations for one?
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My throat has been an issue my entire life. I would contract the most awful cases of strep where my tonsils would pretty much swell and close off my throat. I was on track to have them out as a child (everyone did it), but then pediatricians decided that it was an unnecessary surgery and they stayed. I’ve been to the hospital a few times because of it. In February, I had to go to the ER because my throat shut and I was badly dehydrated, and then a month later, I had another round of strep (not as severe, but still noteworthy). It’s been taking a toll on my body and I don’t like taking antibiotics that much. My recovery periods were longer and longer, and finally, Mr PugRunner and I decided to just go and see what the ENT said. He told me that he discouraged adult tonsillectomies, but not in my case, and yesterday confirmed it. I will send you his info. He was amazing.
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
I had my tonsils out when I was 28 and HOLYHELL did it hurt! I was out of commission for 3 weeks! My healing was slow….
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Don’t get me wrong. It hurts. But no worse than when my throat used to close. I’m so grateful that this is going to be the end of being petrified of strep and sore throats. Fingers crossed that it won’t be three weeks!
Oh, you’re going to love World War Z. When I teach my Horror Literature class, I make sure I include it so I can talk about non-traditional zombie narratives. It’s fun because it’s an aftermath story and not an outbreak/survival story like in The Walking Dead or even Night of the Living Dead. Some of my English majors have problems with it because they say Brooks doesn’t have a very tight style or the know-how to change his voice up for the oral history epistles, but I disagree. I really like it, and I can’t wait to see the movie.
Of course, I’ve had a man-crush on Brad Pitt since Snatch, so I’ll love it regardless.
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Horror Literature Class? That would have been AWESOME! Now I want to go back to college! I’m excited to read it, but I don’t think I can see the movie. Zombieland is really the only zombie movie I can watch, just because of all the helpful zombie-slaying tips. Maybe when it comes out on Blu-Ray and I can watch it with all the lights on. LOL.
I’m so glad your surgery went well! I too, am one of those people that want to see stuff like that, purely for scientific reasons of course!
Tomorrow I’ll run with the Cruisers in the morning and then train a few clients. With Thursday being a holiday, I’m making up appointments on Saturday. You probably don’t want to live vicariously through me since I’ll be working!
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Of course for scientific reasons! Of course!
Oh, it would be great to get out and get some exercise. I was up a little bit today and I am just so exhausted. Have a great weekend!
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Glad to hear it went well and that you’re recovering and being pampered! Dang impressive that you survived that long with such bad tonsils! Wow!
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Everyone is taking very good care of me.
The ENT called to check on me tonight, and apparently, he was shocked that it’s not hurting worse for me, considering how tough it was to get them out. I’m hoping that it just continues positively. I’m glad they’re gone, though.
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
I’m so glad you’re up and feeling better. You know we’re here if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask, even if it’s just to get out of the house for a bit
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Thank you! I’m still very tired, so I may just lay low for most of the weekend. It’s been pretty hard to eat and drink, so my energy is sapped. Of course, I get on Facebook and Instagram and all I see are glorious pictures of yummy food and I just want to eat and eat and eat. Sigh. xoxo
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
Last time I had surgery and wasn’t allowed to leave the bed I picked out a new TV series to start on, well new to me anyway. I hope you find something to keep you busy during your down time.
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I really wanted to start watching Downton Abbey, but I have a hard time watching a series all at once, and I’ve been slipping in and out of naps, so I’d be doing a lot of rewinding and catching up. I watched Warm Bodies and one of the Fast and Furious movies today, and spent A LOT of time reading. I have a pile of books lined up on the bed, and just keep moving through.
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
I am praying for you a speedy recovery! Off topic…Iove the pic with your pug and his baby blue toy! Another think I love is your nick name for your hubby. I would love to come up with a unique name when I reference him on my blog. One other random thought. I love watching movies..they were very theraputic to me when I was going through a rough patch…I enjoyed Anna Green Gables, Silas Marner, Laurence Olivia, and of course Chariots of Fire.
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Thank you. The pug pictured has spent the last few days with me. She is turning down meals and wants nothing to do with leaving the bed. Love her to pieces.
I’m sure you can come up with a great name for your hubby!
Thanks for the recs. It’s been a bad few weeks on the premium cable channels, so I’m currently engaging in a Pirates of the Caribbean Marathon.
runswithpugs recently posted…blogging from the bedroom
All three of those movies look awesome. Big fan of Superman though!
I had to limit physical activity because of a stress fracture and I did a lot of card playing haha. It sounds stupid but it kept my mind off things!
As far as World War Z, the book is seriously amazing. I finished that off in 3 days. The movie is nothing like the book which was disappointing!
Not stupid at all! Whatever works, right?
I am almost ready to start World War Z. I’m excited.
Oh my gosh, you crack me up! I’m glad to hear everything went well and you are recovering. Hopefully it will be a quick and relatively painless recovery.
And your pug is SO CUTE! I should have guessed, since all pugs are adorable, but it is so sweet that she is so worried about you!
As for movies, I haven’t seen any of those, but I heard that Man of Steel wasn’t great. I bet White House Down, while totally ridiculous, will probably be pretty fun. And I did hear that Now You See Me was pretty entertaining, too.
Feel better!
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Yesterday was a bad day, but I’m hopeful that today is the turning point.
All of our pugs are awesome, but Molly is so attached to me. She has also gone on a hunger strike. I like to think it’s out of solidarity because I can’t really eat.
I heard Man of Steel wasn’t good, either, but I still want to see it. Unfortunately, it might have to be this week, because I wasn’t feeling well enough this weekend