December 7, 2004

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  Thanks, everyone, for the well-wishes.

  
  

  Tomorrow morning at 9:30 I go to the hospital for the hurry-up-and-wait marathon. At least that is what it felt like last time. Brief periods of activity, getting poked and prodded here and there, with long periods of waiting in between.

  
  

   

  
  

  Then at 11:00 they will knock me out and stick some things up my nose.

  
  

  

  
  

  functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

  
  

  I sure am glad they will be knocking me out before doing this!

  
  

   

  
  

  The doctor will be removing some polyps and diseased tissue from my sinuses, straightening my septum (for the third time, the dratted thing keeps bending back!) and then for a bonus, going down my throat and snipping off my uvula -- you know that silly little thing that hangs there and vibrates...in my case loudly when I sleep! Hopefully this will help reduce the volume a bit

  
  

  The surgery should take between 60 and 90 minutes, and then I will lie around in the recovery room for a while. Once I am up and moving, and have something to drink, they will send me on my way, with a couple of prescriptions and a big old wad of gauze taped under my nose.

  
  

  

  
  

  Rag Nose

  
  

  After my first such surgery (this is my third) Bernie asked me why I had a sanitary napkin taped to my face. He asked me if they could just shove tampons in my nostrils, but they had essentially already done that, as I had extensive packing the first time, when the surgery was done by a real butcher (I don't think he is even practicing medicine anymore) Anyway, he gave me the nickname of "Rag Nose" ... and then after the second surgery, it was "The Return of Rag Nose"  We always use humour around here to diffuse unpleasant situations. To an outsider, it may seem insensitive or even mean to make such jokes, but to us, laughter is the best medicine and we both have the same (slightly askew) sense of humour. So I guess tomorrow will be "Rag Nose Strikes Again"??

  
  

  My last sinus surgery, three years ago, was performed by the doctor I have now, who is quite excellent. He didn't even have to use any packing in my nose afterwards, and I had a much quicker and easier recovery, even though the surgery was more extensive than the first. He actually had to correct some things that the first doctor screwed up in my nose. But there is always a chance of polyps coming back, especially in astmatics and people with allergies, smokers (which I haven't been for years) and those who are exposed to second hand smoke (unfortunately I am) Well, this time, they came back and brought friends. So here I go again. Lets hope the third time is the charm.

  
  

  I guess I am going to go now, and have my last food and drink (nothing after midnight, not even a sip of water) I have to pack up my walkman and some music for the waiting tomorrow, make sure I have my inhaler and insurance card, pick out the clothes I will wear to and from the hospital, and get a few more things straightened up in the living room and bedroom.

  
  

  I doubt I will get much sleep anyway. But I am sure I will be doing plenty of that after.

  
  

   

  
  

  Send me some good vibes tomorrow morning!

  
  

  

  
  

   

  • 11:46 pm
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