I am SPECIAL (a little update)

At least that is the one word used to describe me in my junior high yearbook, thanks to a boy who had a crush on me.  Well I am still special, but for a very different reason. 

Back in February, I had my tonsils removed after three years of tonsillitis, soar throats, constantly swollen tonsils, and fatigue.  For kids the surgery is minor, but for adults it falls in the major category.  The surgery went well and in fact only lasted 15 minutes.  However, the recovery was not as quick and easy.  I woke up in the O.R. not being able to swallow.  It was scary to wake up in the O.R seeing people clean up and hear them talk about how the surgery went, but it was even more scary to feel saliva pool in the back of my throat and not being able to swallow.  I was still numb and not able to use the necessary muscles to swallow.  I was afraid I would choke or sufficate, but I just relaxed and I was fine.  Apparently, the numbness usually wears off before the patient wakes up, but since I popped right out the anesthia I had the joy of experiencing it.  Talking and breathing was painful, not to mention swallowing.  They kept asking me questions and making me drink water which was a joy and a half.  A couple hours later I was on my way home to recover.  The people I know who have had the same surgery told me it is the most painful thing they have EVER experienced including knee surgeries and child birth.  It was painful and the icing on the cake was not being able to eat or drink despite being EXTREMELY hungry.  I pretty much only ate chicken broth and jello for two weeks.  Yummy.  I can definitely say I never want to eat jello nor do I ever want to have the surgery ever again.

Flash foward a couple of months when I discovered that the left side of my throat was hurting and looked swollen.  I was concerned that I had an abscess, so I went to the Dr.  She took one look in my throat and got a really frustrated look on her face.  I knew this could not be good.  Then she told me that I my tonsils are growing back.  I've never wanted a Dr to be kidding before in my life until then.  I thought this definitely has to be a joke, because I didn't just go through all that pain for nothing and it just isn't possible.  Wrong.  It is possible and happens only to a select few individuals - and by select I mean cursed.  Yep, I am SPECIAL. 

So, now we are trying to figure out what on earth is irritating my throat so much to cause my tonsils to come back.  I am on a nasal spray and a restricted diet.  I also have to stop eating and drinking three hours before bed and I have to sleep elevated.  Things were going well until I came down with congestion and a fever.  Back to the Dr. I went. I have a bacterial infection so now in addition to what is listed above, I am on an additional nasal spray, antibiotic, and mucinex.  I am slowly but surely feeling better.  I just hope something works and we can stop the evil tonsils in their tracks!!

Below are pictures of things I created out of playdough while I was recovering from surgery.  I was home for two weeks, so my mom sent me a care package full of things to do.  This was extremely helpful as watching tv became cruel with all the ads about food I couldn't eat.  Thanks mom!!