Ta-Ta Tonsils!

Ta-Ta Tonsils!, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320) [+]
* Aperture: f/8 [+]
* Focal Length: 170 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 250 [+]

Strobist: SB-800 and SB-600 Strapped to the lens with the lens extended to the 200mm setting. Attached with ball bungees with each flash on opposite side. This created a pseudo ring light appearance. Since I had Becky take the photo, I set the flashes to TTL. Triggered via pop up flash via Nikon CLS/AWS. Shutter speed set to 1/320 to eliminate any reflection directly from pop up flash. f/8 chosen for greater depth of field. ISO was left at 250.

For some time I had worsening halitosis (bad breath), pocket of my tonsils, food accumulation, snoring, and calcifications. I saw the ENT surgeon, Dr. McDonald at the Mayo Clinic a couple of months ago. We decided to proceed with tonsillectomy. My patient schedule was filled out for 2 months so I blocked my schedule and on 4/23/08 I underwent tonsillectomy.

After not eating or drinking after midnight, I showed up around 8 am to the hospital. I was escorted to an outpatient room and changed into hospital attire (Snaps in the back!). A young female IV tech came in and after a few seconds of prodding with a needle, my IV was in. The nursing staff was excellent and friendly. They hung an IV and took vitals. The scale they weighed me on-- IT LIES! :-)

I was then taken to the pre-anesthesia room. Assessed multiple times (spell your full name and what is your birthday) and confirmed what surgery I was having, things were a go. The anesthesiologist and a CRNA came and saw me and the CRNA rolled me to the OR. I was transferred to the OR table. Dr. McDonald came over to say hi. They hooked up my IV. I remember having the thought of "I wonder if I can see the propofol flowing down the IV into my arm". That was my last thought and I started coming awake in the PACU (recovery room). I had been intubated and extubated while I was asleep (hallelujah!). I consciously tried to breathe deeply and wiggle my hands and legs to try and recover as fast as possible from anesthesia. I kept on catching myself wanting to close my eyes and go back to sleep, but I forced myself to stay awake with the goal of recovering and going home. I needed a shot of pain medication in the recovery room (fentanyl). They switched my nose cannula of oxygen to a face mask of oxygen and moisture. I believe the Lord blessed me with a quick recovery, a successful surgery and blessed Dr. McDonald in performing the operation.

I was rolled back up to the semi-private outpatient room (2 person room). After being assessed by the nursing staff, my IV was removed. I quickly changed out of my hospital clothes into some loose fitting basketball pants. Becky waited in the room for me while I got ready. We went down to pickup my medications (narcotic - oxycodone in liquid form, antibiotic - amoxicllin) which it took the pharmacy an HOUR to fill. I fell asleep in the wheelchair. Becky pushed me in the wheelchair to the parking ramp and I climbed in the car. We picked the kids up 1/2 hour early from school and headed home. I proceeded to vomit once from being nauseous, took my first dose of oxycodone, and then went to be bed for an hour nap. I got up and took some tylenol. Drank some water and had a bit of jello. I promptly threw that up too with water coming out my nose! Ugh!

I drank lots of water and managed to keep down some jello. I ate a jello cup with mandarin oranges in it. That was a mistake--they burned the back of my throat! After that and for the rest of the night, I felt nauseous. After going to bed at 10, I got up at 12 and again at 2. I got clammy and cold and threw water up. I got up at 3 and couldn't sleep, so I read for 45 minutes. I went back to sleep and got up at 5:55. I drank some water and promptly threw it up along with the mandarin oranges from last night. After that, I haven't thrown up since--must have been those that didn't set well with me. It hurts to swallow more than a couple of times in a row. Consequently, I find myself not swallowing much. I've had a ton of water, some Lipton diet citrus green tea and bits of jello (Becky blended some bananas with some different varieties of jello for me) and yogurt. I will lose weight yet! :-)

I took a nap in the morning and a nap this evening as well. I thought I'd share this photo of the back of my throat to show you what things looked like. Carl.