Last Thursday I had a tonsillectomy. After three varieties of antibiotics didn't kill the infection in my tonsils, two months of being sick and one consultation with an ear, nose and throat doctor that informed me "You have two options- don't do anything and suffer or have them taken out. Antibiotics don't work. Anybody who tells you anything else is bullshit." Appreciative of a straight shooter and tired of feeling rather lackluster I scheduled surgery. I checked out a few message boards by tonsillectomy patients. What they had to say scared the crap out of me. My friend Tanya warned her C-section was easier. One of the ladies Sweets works with advised "The pain is unbearable and constant but then you wake up one morning and it's gone." On the day of the surgery I had that horrible feeling I get when someone tries to get me to ride a rollercoaster - except, in this case, I have to actually face my fear and do the scary thing. I was disappointed I couldn't check out the operating room properly since the nurse made me leave my eyeglasses with Sweets. I hopped up on the bed and before the surgeon even came in I was out. Next thing I remember was waking up sore and with an upset tummy. And then Sweets was next to me and that made me feel better just to have my pinky touching his hand. Evidently, the plan is to get you sitting up and drinking water asap. But my stomach wasn't cooperating. Finally, I got a few sips in and they were satisfied enough to send me home. I was so out it, I literally couldn't even get my pants on alone. Since I've been home, it's been up and down. The pain isn't as terrible as I was envisioning but it can be a drag. It's day 7 now and my tongue is still numb on the right side. I can't open my mouth very wide. It does hurt when I swallow but mostly in the back of the mouth, not all the way down like when I have a sore throat. When it gets bad, my jaw hurts, my gums feel swollen, I can hardly open my mouth or talk. Then, it's time for my new friend. Codeine. I didn't like it at first. It tastes yucky and made me stomach upset. I've been trying to be moderate and only take it every 8-12 hours. This morning, I practically pushed Sweets out the door so I could go slurp it up. And then... ah... so mellow. It's like having one strong cocktail buzz lasts a long while. Usually, I get sorta sleepy. Sometimes I really zonk out. My sister refilled my prescription today for me. As she handed it over, she gave me THE LOOK and said she thinks it's time I switch to liquid Tylenol before I get hooked. Now she tells me. When I have a whole bottle sitting on the counter! She's most definitely right. I'll start knocking off tomorrow. I promise. As for food. Ha! I have had no coffee, no tea, alcohol, dairy or bread. The horror of it. My diet the past week has consisted of the following: When I wake up I grab a Lick a Color Popsicle, throughout the day I might have Cream of Wheat, oatmeal or instant grits-all at room temperature, Jell-O, Fla Vor Ice, Luigi's italian ice swirls in strawberry banana and blue razberry lemonade, Motts strawberry banana applesauce, freshly squeezed carrot,apple,celery juice, egg salad and for a real treat the last two days I've had spaghetti cut into 1/4 pieces served again at room temperature. Plus more water than I've probably ever drank in my life. Unexpectedly resulting in three pound weight loss. Not sure how long that will last since I spend copious chunks of my newly found free time thinking about food. In the bath, I yearned for crisp fries smothered with a lucious brown gravy. A grilled cheddar on sourdough with hierloom tomatoes. Curries, chocolate cakes, fish tacos, juicy burgers. Mmm. Watching the Food Network probably is not helping matters. Since I rarely watch tv, it's like I'm seeing shows for the first time. I'm soothed by Paula's Home Cooking and her Southern hospitality, irritated by Rachel Ray's wild gesturing during 30 Minute Meals although I do dig her kitchen. I wish I could see some Jamie Oliver. Where'd his show go? An episode of Recipe for Success on the Brooklyn Bakery Baked made me realize my dream of opening a place someday needs to be tempered with a large dollop of reality. When I'm tired of Food, I do a little HGTV. I've caught Debbie Travers Painted House which is not as obnoxious as some of other decorating shows out there. And of course, Oprah is a must when you're at home sick. As I may have mentioned in the past, living with Sweets is sort of like living in your own private video store. He pulled out a stack about two feet tall of films he thought I might like that I haven't seen before. So far I've watched Body Heat, Collateral, American Pie and Closer. For a laugh, I've posted a photo on Flickr of my recovery.