Tag: health

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Adult Tonsillectomy (And Other Things I Learned Along the Way)


This blog post is my personal experience. It may be funny, extreme and/or helpful to some. I am not making any attempt to over exaggerate. I actually wish I could say this whole thing was an over exaggeration.

It’s true others may have had very different experiences. Maybe they could talk within 24 hours or had the best sleep of their life after watching comedies and eating ice cream all day. Well, I am not them and that is not my story friends.

I had to write this while it’s fresh so it’s probably not going to sound happy. Sorry but not sorry. I’m writing for the people who want the real version in case they find themselves in such a seat. And also for the people who could use a chuckle because they would NEVER find themselves in such a seat LOL.

This blog post may even come off as complainy which is fine because I am complaining, so that tracks LOL.

Let’s get to it…



1. Age Matters
If only one of the several ENTs and doctors I met annually since 2013 had taken my concerns seriously. Perhaps I would have been enough years younger to have an easier recovery but it took 10 years of advocating for myself.

While I am truly grateful for the medical staff who took care of me and handled my surgery, I am not grateful for the recovery that has been hell in my apparently old age. (My age is indeed why they told me recovery has been such a bear 😒)



2. Fast Procedure, Slow Recovery
I wish the doctor had saved a tonsil or took a picture for me to see. Before I went under I asked if she could save the biggest tonsil stone so I could really see what brought me here. She laughed it off both times so I guess that’s a no.

The last I remember them saying at the hospital was you won’t remember a thing…


After I gave my final wishes to the anesthesiologist team, I was wheeled into a room where I could see nothing but blurs because they had removed my glasses. Some people said some things and next I know, I was waking up in a different room. Almost unsettling how that happens lol!

I threw up night 1 after surgery. To be fair the anesthesiologist said it could happen but there is no way to prepare for that feeling. There was no stopping it and with nothing in my tummy (you have to fast before surgery), there was nothing to give. I just had to let my body go through the motions until I forced myself to calm down. I thought I might have to go to the ER. I could suddenly feel the burnt throat bits. It was the worst. It sucks when you want to cry but can’t because that hurts too. Throat got tight. I didn’t want to sniffle up cry snot. I never had such a major silent protest against everything. Unfortunately, I threw up about 3-4 more times over the first couple weeks.



3. Ice Cream? Yeah Right
It should be said humor and sarcasm are some of my favorite coping mechanisms. I repeat: I did not enjoy this experience at all LOL.

The hospital said I could eat soft foods by day 2. IKYFL!

Everyone who’s like…”You just get a couple days off to enjoy some ice cream.”

…Who are these people!?


Most tried to pacify me with this beforehand. “Oh it won’t be so bad. It’ll be worth it. Ice cream and popsicles all day sounds like a dream.”

What they forgot was, I don’t even like ice cream or popsicles that much.

You fail to realize how much you involuntarily swallow your spit in a day or adjust your throat to breathe. Next time you notice it, think about if it hurt every single time you did that. So honestly, when I thought about minimizing mucus…the last thing I wanted was vanilla ice cream draping my throat and causing me to gag. Ewww

I’d rather have a burger and fries or yummy pizza but those were totally not possible. My diet for the first two weeks was primarily small sips of water. I will be posting another blog after this to share what I actually ate and drank post surgery. While this absolutely should not be used as a diet plan, I actually lost 12 lbs by Day 13 post surgery. I hadn’t been that small since pre-pandemic.



4. Say What You Need To Say…Beforehand
I’m grateful for my niece who from the beginning was like you’re going to hate it and it’s going to be terrible. It didn’t make me feel better by any stretch but at least it was honest. Then she gave practical tips like using ice packs on my throat and that changed my life.

I was giving The Little Mermaid vibes when Ariel can’t speak!


And I’m an introvert. I don’t even like general talking like that. But when you take away a simple freedom like speaking, boy it feels like it’s never coming back. I could not open my mouth enough to get words out and it hurt too much to try. The first week was a lot of unofficial sign language, grunts and written notes. I learned pretty quickly to keep things concise!


5. Time is a Social Construct
At some point I completely lost track of time. I started tracking my days in how long ago I took my last pain med dosage. Is it giving narcos yet?




6. Your Intestines May Struggle
⚠️This part is gross. A complete TMI and possible overshare so if you’re squeamish about bodily functions, skip this paragraph. Final warning ⚠️

I am not saying I could win an award for the state of my digestive tract but I was regular enough previously. It’s one of the few things I can admire about my internal system.

Let’s just say…I had surgery on a Monday. In 21 days I pooped 2 times. Now that’s some scary sh*t.

Mind you I hadn’t eaten my regular diet of trans fats and sugar but still. I thought the couple spoonfuls of yogurt, the tiny half mashed sweet potato and other small, sad snacks I pushed past my swollen throat would lead to something! It did not. They say this is what those really strong hospital meds can do to you. And taking laxatives while on a medication that makes you sleepy several times a day. God… please forbid the two experiences ever meeting 🙏🏽

⚠️ Trigger warning complete. Welcome Back! ⚠️



7. Stay Hydrated!
I found out I can manage without eating since I physically couldn’t. Even when it hurt like hell, I still did my best to drink water – still, sparkling or coconut, whatever worked. I tried gatorade because it was on the after care list but it honestly dehydrated me and made the pain more prominent. I also noticed a new unbelievable nerve pain — tracing from my jaw to my throat to my ear — that would stop me in my tracks and make me press ice immediately to my face until it relaxed.

The reason why I personally forced myself to sip water even when I felt extreme pain was because the medical folks said staying hydrated was a way to keep the pain from getting worse and it speeds up recovery. If they would not have told me that, I prob wouldn’t have bothered with those tiny sips every few mins. Instead I like to think it saved me from worse so sip your water!



8. No Rest For the Weary
Sleeping and waking from sleep were the saddest moments of the day. Mostly because there was no sleep for at least 3 weeks. Waking from closed eyes and realizing my attempt to sleep upright were thwarted by my large head which does not like upright sleep. Usually my head was too far back or too far down on my chest and any attempt to move it was met by severe and extreme pain either in my ears or throat or both.

If by day 2 they would have given me the option to safely go in a coma where I could stay hydrated and fed then come out healed up, I would have taken it. I don’t mean that lightly.


I was on Google daily researching. I thought maybe I missed a tip because no one was talking about these conditions enough. They said sleep propped on pillows for the first 3-4 days but then what? Because the propping didn’t work for me. Was I missing an instructions page because they sent me home to recover for at least 3-4 weeks, not days. I need more information!!

Also, most articles out there are written for toddlers. Apparently tonsillectomies are a rare footnote in the adulting handbook. I think that’s part of why I decided to write this blog. Maybe it will help someone else who’s desperate for more information!

For example, have you ever eaten a sour candy and your throat just tightens to a crease? Maybe I’m describing it wrong but you know that sensation I mean. That started around Day 5-6 and would often lead to silent tears. I couldn’t find any info to help me so I just powered through as best I could. Everytime we spoke to my doctor they said everything was normal. Maybe somebody else can comment on something they know about it.



Lessons in patience. I’m telling you.


9. Fill the Gaps with People Who Care

Most people don’t really want to hear about your pain. They want to hear about your progress.

Thank those who hold space for you to not be 100%…to still not be okay even after days of check-ins. Those are the people you need, especially at the beginning. People who haven’t experienced this surgery and recovery probably won’t fully understand what you’re going through. Empathy and patience is important long before people wonder when you’ll get back to normal life.

I was really struggling at times. I didn’t want to pretend I was ok when I truly wasn’t. And things were moving slower than expected which sucked. Having people be with you in that in between…when you have to rely on others and may be at your most vulnerable…is some deep love.


Here are some of my Thank Yous:

Thank you sister who picked us up from the hospital after surgery and made sure we got home safely. Also thank you for my glittery crocs that made surgery day and every day since so much more comfortable to walk and lounge as needed. They became my favorite comfort shoes on the journey to getting better.

Thank you to my sisters, parents, niece, nephew who checked on me daily, gave me advice and encouragement, sent outside world pictures and awesome netflix recommendations.

Thank you friends and loved ones for your check-ins and messages and food gift cards ❤️. I am loved beyond measure and that means more than you know but I hope you know!

Thank you medical team. I literally saw so many people there’s no way I could remember everyone but I met a lot of nice and helpful people. Other than the follow up appointments where I hope most of this will continue to be forgotten by, I wish you all well and hope we never have to meet again on this subject LOL.

Thank you to my significant other who has the patient of a saint. From surgery day and every day since he has been my caretaker at home. He had to put up with me and my burnt smelling throat whenever I tried to speak though I mostly had to text since I couldn’t open my mouth. He hunted down a pharmacy that could fill my pain med prescription since my regular pharmacy doesn’t stock hospital narcotics. He switched out my ice cups, waters, ice packs, pillows, rubbed my back every time I threw up (even at 3am), refilled my humidifier umpteen times, made me baby sized meals of whatever I asked for so I could try eating, tracked my progress, handled my phone calls, held my hands, wiped my tears, encouraged me, prayed for me and loved me so well. I know you hate when I’m hurt and you can’t just fix it…🥹 You are a king among men.



10. A Journey of Ups and Downs
After a few weeks, I commandered (is that even the word??) a breakthrough day where we took a walk outside in fresh air and bright sunshine. It felt like the kind of progress I needed. I realize it sounds dramatic but I didn’t know when it would come.

I still have trouble sleeping at night. I wake up several times to re-adjust my head, clear my throat, drink my san pelly. I still can’t say more than a few sentences without needing to take a break. My throat and neck still ache. I drink water all day long and never feel like my thirst is quenched. It’s not a simple bounce back.


The journey to recovery is not over but I am grateful at whatever day I have arrived to.
Thank for you reading my story. Oh and please wait at least 6-12 months before asking me if it was worth it 🫶🏾


PS. I think this would be a fascinating animated experience. I want to write a illustrated book lol! Who knows an illustrator?

PPS. I tried to cover most everything I experienced but may have missed something. If you are going to have a throat surgery or are in recovery now and have questions like I did, please let me know! I’d like to help anyone I can by sharing my experience. If you went through this operation or something similar, what would you add from your experience?

#tonsillectomy #adulttonsillectomy
#surgeryafter30 #surgery #postsurgery #blog #adultsurgery #tonsillectomyafter35 #surgeryafter35 #health #healthcare #lifeuntangled #ENT

My Gym Romance

For the past couples months I have been pretty faithfully attending the gym. It’s shocking really. I have done so faithfully because my boyfriend pushes me and trains me when we get there.

On days when I just want to go out and order a dozen buffalo wings and chill in front of a tv, I balance with days at the gym or getting some workout in. It has not been easy all the time but so worth it.

I choose to step out on my tv nights to build my love affair with the gym. My boyfriend has been incredibly supportive on this journey. It feels good to pick a healthy activity together to make ourselves better. 

We used to do our own things in the gym and he would leave exhausted and I wouldn’t even be sweating. I wasn’t challenging myself and building up any kind of endurance. I was more than happy with 20 half-assed minutes on an elliptical while watching some ridiculous show. 

Now having an accountability partner, I am building muscle and endurance, helping my heart, mind and body get stronger all the time. I literally do every thing he already planned to do on his own, just at a lighter weight. We have different days to focus on different muscles and some days are the hardest thing ever. That feeling though to push past what you think you can do, is the most liberating feeling. 

Getting all that excess energy out is a stress reliever. It slows down the brain busyness because I have to concentrate on not hurting myself or dying in the gym. It’s perfect for draining me to get a good night’s sleep. 

I am not good at everything though so I also learn lessons in being patient with myself.

I used to be nervous I was holding my guy back in the gym and I would look goofy holding 2 or 5 lb weights doing my thing but I focus on myself and him only. He taught me to track my progress and I have seen true change in my appetite for more. Now I can push the limits and it feels good.

Our gym routine is also another great positive way for us to build our connection with one another. A couple that works out and sweats together can learn to conquer so many other things in life together. We lean on and trust each other as we mold our weakness into strength and share vulnerability in our health and wellness journey. 

I used to tell people that I refused to pay for a gym membership for things I can do at home. Before my guy moved to Chicago, I used to do more workouts on my own. I would pull up YouTube on my tv and do yoga right in my living room. Whatever works is worth it if you work it. 

If you have been telling yourself you need to work on getting fit or back in the gym, start as soon as you can. If you don’t think you will stick to it alone, find yourself an accountability partner like I did. 

Now I force myself to take more opportunities during the day to walk. Instead of taking the bus home which is closer, I often walk to the train which is a few blocks further and gets my heart pumping. As a city girl, I walk fast so more activity is better to really get my blood flowing. 

Life is simply too fragile and short not to take care of ourselves. My next step is really examining my diet because I LOVE to eat and 83% is not healthy lol. 

For now I will continue my love affair with the gym. 

Summer, You’ll Be Missed But…

I live in Chicago which means Winter could arrive any day now. Today was gorgeous weather — mid 80s — a welcome change from the coat-wearing, fall day, wind chills we have had lately.

It was so nice outside that I tore myself away from the tv shortly after the Chicago Bears won and went on a walk with my sister.

As summer begins to fade, I will focus on cherishing all the good times until next year. One thing I will miss most is how easy it was to find motivation to workout.

I basically measured my summer in workouts. Every Saturday that I could from June to early September, I would peel myself out of bed — toss on shorts and a tank, sling my yoga mat across my back and head for Millennium Park in Chicago’s downtown.

I spent one hour for each doing a class in Yoga, Pilates and Zumba.

Three hours several Saturdays a summer may seem excessive but I learned from them and I felt fantastic doing them. The way the park schedules the classes, gives the group a chance to slowly warm up the body with each hour.

It feels good to sweat alongside a community of strangers in it partly for similar reasons. We are out there stretching and strengthening and challenging ourselves. We have an excuse to start the day in an ocean of sunshine.

The satisfaction I feel after 3 hours is worth it even though I am not a fan of getting up or moving around so early.

It went right along with my other health initiatives. I also use a free app called MyFitnessPal to track what I eat in an online food diary. It notes how many days I log in and it feels like an accomplishment to stay consistent for weeks and weeks.

I used to have a goal of doing it every day for a year. 365 consecutive logs to help me pay attention to salt intake or getting enough protein, veggies,  etc. The first time I made it to 325 days and missed one day of logging in. My day count went back down to zero and I was devastated. I wanted to give up.

I realized it was bigger than that. Seeing the ticker count up towards 365 was amazing but that could not be my only motivation.

I find myself paying attention to my health and wellness now more than ever. I can’t afford to wait for my health to decline before I start caring about it or noticing it. Unfortunately, there are serious health concerns that run in my family’s history so awareness, prevention and proactively doing everything I can to stay healthy is vital.

Even though I’ll miss the ease of working out in the summer, it has to be bigger than that for me. I want my heart and body to be healthy for more than just a season. Don’t you want the same for yourself?

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Bright Pink Octobers: Why I Care and You Should Too

By the end of this week we will be in the full swing of pink. As most people know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For 31 days, businesses and football players and marathon streets are decked out in bright pink.

More and more the month of October elicits a lot of emotion surrounding loss and victory. Breast cancer battles continue hitting closer and closer to home.

My maternal grandmother had issues with it. My aunt is currently battling breast cancer. Many of my friends have had loved ones affected by breast cancer in one way or another.

A little more than a year ago, my mom had a mastectomy on her left breast after being diagnosed at stage 0 for breast cancer. We were so grateful to have caught it early enough to not need radiation or chemotherapy. We had to make a decision within weeks of finding out the news regarding mom’s health. It was still a major decision to do a mastectomy instead of lumpectomy. It altered our lives. It changed the way we think about health and care for our bodies. It changed us.

There have been many hours in doctor offices and hospital rooms. We have done several surgeries and recoveries, hoping that it’s the last time we will ever need to discuss this with a physician or cancer center. But we never will stop talking about it. It is part of us now and will forever be a present topic in future check-ups.

When that word cancer comes alive, even if it’s a scare or not worst case scenario, it is paralyzing.

In that same summer of my mom’s diagnosis, my sister’s did the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I went out to support them at different mile markers over the two day walk. It was powerful to see how many lives breast cancer touches. People are weakened by it, strengthened by it and every stop between. No one can tell you how to feel or what to feel. We all react differently and that’s okay.

A few years ago, I went to a breast cancer support group hosted by Bright Pink. Bright Pink is a national non-profit organization focused on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women.

The support group was a chance to ask questions and share stories with young women who had either known someone with these cancers or had themselves gone through it. We bonded over doing an activity together. It was my first and last time ever doing a spin class after I threw up all over the floor following the workout. (That’s a story for another day.) It was an inspiring and eye opening experience to sit and share our stories, encouraging one another in awareness, prevention and treatment.

Now over a year later from our first set of doctor visits for my mom, we are taking breast cancer awareness Octobers rather seriously. We are also celebrating this life. To be aware, is to be alive…literally in some cases.

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