Friday, June 27, 2008

Forty-one pound mystery

I'm having parathyroid surgery on Tuesday. It kind of crept up on me; I wanted to have it three weeks ago, and when that fell through, I sort of mentally filed it in the "things that aren't going to happen for ages" section of my mind. But three weeks isn't really ages, and now here we are, at my last weekend of a smooth, unscarred neck.

I'm not particularly nervous about it; it's a minor surgery, and not too painful, and may or may not even require an overnight stay in the hospital. I'm not thrilled about the idea of having a scar, as is well documented on this blog, but I know that in the grand scheme of things, it's no big deal. Obviously, all surgery comes with a risk, but I'm young and healthy and I'm not worried.

I am a little weirded out by the idea of general anesthesia, though--the idea that you're there, wide awake, and then BAM--you're asleep, just like that, and there's nothing you can do about it. It feels vulnerable, I suppose, and I want to know what it will feel like, and whether the sleep it causes is refreshing like normal sleep.

I'm also intrigued to find out whether hospitals offer healthy food options. I've never stayed in the hospital before, but I've seen the menus they offer when people I know have stayed in hospitals, and they never looked healthy at all. It seems incongruous at the least, to be at a place where the focus is on health, offering all sorts of oily, unhealthy options. But I never looked at the menus that closely, so we will see. I'll make sure to report back.

Anyway, so, I'm not nervous, but I will be laid up for at least a day or two next week, so I'm taking this weekend to celebrate my last days of freedom. Okay, not really, but we do have plans that are delightful to us if nobody else: they involve lots of playing Wii (because we really did get ours! And UPS says it will be delivered this evening), going to see Wall-E, and picking out wedding rings. Fun AND practical, no? Unfortunately the weather is supposed to be in the nineties and muggy, so outdoor activities are pretty much off the list. But hey, we have Wii Sports to entertain us! It'll be just like communing with nature!

One thing that I DO want to know about in regards to the Wii? The UPS tracker claims that we've been shipped two boxes. One weighs eight pounds, which is about what the Wii weighs. But the other? According to UPS, it weighs 41 pounds.

I have to say, I'm at a loss to imagine what could possibly be in that box. Torsten suggests that perhaps we are getting a free washing machine as a congratulatory gift for buying the very last available Wii. I am of the opinion that we were accidentally shipped a flat-screen plasma TV. And if it's the latter, WE ARE SO KEEPING IT. Come on--wouldn't you?

47 comments:

  1. It's totally going to be a small child that they've shipped along with your Wii to set it up and such.

    Hope you have an awesome weekend!

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  2. The only time I've had general anesthesia was when I got my wisdom teeth out. I did not enjoy the IV part of it, but after the needle I was out like a light. I think I woke up groggy but it wasn't bad, maybe like when you wake up really early?

    You are going to LOVE the Wii. I highly recommend Boom Blox. And if you get Mario Kart, we can play against each other!

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  3. I totally would keep it! You'll have to update and let us know what it is. hehe.

    Good luck for your surgery! I'm sure it will go exceptionally well!

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  4. Dude, I would totally keep it and never tell no one!

    Pardon the bad grammar but I think I sound more bad ass this way.

    Also, can I come to DC in the fall? I've been thinking I want to. Don't worry, I'll wait until after the wedding :)

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  5. My son actually weighs 41 pounds, but we would not allow him to be shipped. Maybe it's another 4 year old?

    Enjoy Wall-E. We will probably be seeing it, too, though likely not this weekend.

    Good luck with your surgery.

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  6. That is bizarre, although I will say that in my (admittedly limited) experience, UPS's "weight" doesn't usually match the actual weight of the box.

    But, assuming it is correct, I have to agree with aliemalie...it's totally a small child.

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  7. I am pretty sure a washing machine weighs more than 41 pounds, but a flat screen TV? Maybe... Fingers crossed! :-)

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  8. Anesthesia is AWESOME.

    No really.

    I had it most recently for my colonoscopy. It's nice to just take a day off from dealing with the world.

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  9. I have a Wii and I can tell you first hand that no part of it weighs 41 pounds. So I'm going with a small Ethiopian child...congratulations it's a boy! :)

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  10. General anesthesia is okey, they put in a saline drip, then the sleeping meds and I usually manage to blink twice before conking out (I've been under 3 times) but it also makes me vomit during the wake-up process. But thankfully when you know this happens to you they add an extra drug so that you don't feel nauseous. First time though you just have to wait and see.

    If its a flat screen tv ... definite keeper.

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  11. For your sake, I hope it's a plasma TV and not a small child. Small children, while they can probably set up a Wii system faster than you, will also hog all the game playing time. So if it IS a child, let him set up the game, then SHIP HIM BACK.

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  12. If some mysterious 41 pound box with either a washing machine OR a flat screen tv showed up on my doorstep, I'd keep it for sure!!!

    I hope your surgery is a breeze! One thing about general anethesia, once they give you that drug you are OUT and you won't remember anything. However waking up after surgery is not always like waking up after a good nights sleep. Only because you wake up and there will be pain and you will be groggy. BUT they will be RIGHT THERE to give you some more good drugs to stop the pain - so totally worth it :).

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  13. General anesthesia wasn't really that bad. I got it when I had my wisdom teeth removed. They hooked me up to an IV and were talking to me. I just remember feeling really sleepy, then all of a sudden I woke up and everything was finished. I didn't fell nauseous afterwards, which was awesome.

    So exciting about the Wii and the mystery 41-pound box. Have a great weekend!

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  14. Best of luck with the surgery! And enjoy your Wii. :)

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  15. Aw good luck honey! I know you'll be fine and I bet the scar won't be too bad either! Pick up some Mederma, and lather that shit on once it heals! Have a great weekend celerating your neck :)

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  16. Have a fun weekend with your new toy!

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  17. Have fun playing with you Wii!

    (That sounds SO dirty.)

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  18. Whenever I've gone under anthesthia I've always woken up and felt like I told all of the doctors and nurses my deapest, darkest secrets while I was under.

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  19. I am going to WALL-E tonight, too! Hope you guys like it!

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  20. General anesthesia can be a little freaky. Mostly because it DOESN'T feel like sleep, at least for me. There's no sense of elapsed time at all. No dreaming. It's just...weird. Once I did have some nausea upon awaking, but other times I felt fine (well, as fine as one can feel after being operated on), just a little confused. "Are they done? But I just closed my eyes." You know...freaky. :)

    Good luck!

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  21. I would totally keep the tv! Enjoy your weekend and the wii. Will be sending good thoughts your way on Tuesday for a successful procedure and speedy recovery. :)

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  22. Take care of you this weekend. Sounds like you've got just the right balance of stuff to look forward to and not much at all.

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  23. that's completely random about the other package.

    i've heard hospital food isn't that great. good luck.

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  24. I still like Torsten's theory of it being a washing machine. That will be So. Awesome.

    Also, good luck on your surgery. I guess in all of the complaining I've been doing lately, I don't think we ever even discussed that!

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  25. I have never been put under, but I am sure that it will be fine. I hope you have a fun weekend!!!

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  26. I cannot wait to hear about what's in that box!!! Also, I'm so jealous that you're seeing Wall-E. The pseudo fam is going tonight. I'm sure I'm not invited. :(

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  27. Oh, the 41 pound thing is the instruction manual for hooking up the Wii.

    Um, have you WEIGHED a plasma TV? Those things are heavy!

    Good luck on your surgery and recovery. I hope both go well and you get a little bit spoiled by Torsten for a day or two. (um, thinking FLOWERS... or, not...)

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  28. Hahaha. I laughed out loud at Torsten's suggestion that it's a washing machine bonus. Love it. Have fun with the Wii!!

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  29. General anesthetic is weird: they have you count backwards, and you're counting and then you're gone. And then someone is waking you up. It didn't feel instant to me, though: it felt like time had passed. I didn't feel rested, though: I didn't want to wake up, but they're very insistent. That was when I was 12, though, so things may have changed in the last 22 years.

    Hospitals vary A LOT. The one I had my first baby in just sent everyone the same food. The one I had my next four babies in had an awesome menu that makes me want to go back there just for fun: ACTUAL fresh fruit (not canned like I'd expected), whole grain breads, good-lettuce salads (not just iceberg), white-meat chicken, etc.

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  30. Maybe you got a Guitar Hero too?

    Good luck on your surgery. I went under once when I was 4 and i still remember how weird it felt. you'll be great!

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  31. If its the latter you should TOTALLY keep it. All the better to play Wii Sports with!

    I was at Target this morning and they had like 12 Wii consoles in stock. I've never seen more than 3 (and usually the shelf is completely empty), and I couldn't wait to check your blog and find out whether or not you got your Wii. If not I was going to tell you to rush to the closest Target and check!

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  32. Hmm. No idea on the 41 pounds. What an exciting mystery! Although, I have to say I ship a ton of stuff at work, and sometimes UPS data entry is mistaken.

    I did general anesthesia with my knee surgery. I was out for 3 or so hours, and woke up a little out of it, but feeling fine. I was starving, since I couldn't eat for like 17 hours, and after the food I was great. The rest of the people in the room were not as perky or annoying as me though. Depends on how well your body processes drugs.
    Best of luck, and I had a lot of sucess with Mederma, which helps reduce the look of scarring. It really works I swear!

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  33. I LOVE anesthesia. I have a hard time falling asleep normally, so the feeling of getting sleepy and drifting off quickly is enjoyable for me. It's not like real sleep, because you won't dream and it seems like it's over in an instant. You'll probably be groggy though. Really, it's nothing to be scared of. Just relax and let the doctor/nurses take care of you.

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  34. Um, YES! I would definitely keep it. Immoral perhaps, but a teeny violation in the grand scheme of things.

    I hope your surgery goes well, and I'm keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for a happy, healthy outcome for you.

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  35. 41 pounds undoubtedly includes an appendage of the postman. We've got one and it's no where near that. Good luck - pulling for yoU!

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  36. Let us know how you like Wall-E!

    Good luck on Tuesday! Anesthesia kind of weirds me out too. How can we not feel anything? Strange!

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  37. wall-eeeeeee.
    he is the cutest robot ever. i literally want to hug him.

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  38. good luck with your surgery honey. i'll be thinking of you!!!

    (oh, and Wii is AWESOME.)

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  39. best of luck on your surgery! prayers your way!

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  40. All hospitals are different. My own experience in hospitals has been really positive--people taking care of me, an extended vacation. I hope you have a restful stay and the op goes really well.

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  41. Are you kidding? I'd DEFINITELY keep the flat screen. I'll keep my fingers crossed that that's what it is ;).
    Good luck on your surgery! I'm sure everything will go well, but I'll definitely keep you in mind.

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  42. I've heard Wall-E was delightful! Was it? Also. That TV is yours!

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  43. I am so excited for you about the Wii!!!! I just got home from playing rock band on wii and it is just wonderful. I am thinking of getting it myself...

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  44. It's a pony! you're getting a pony and a wii! I'm so jealous!

    good luck for the op. I'll send some positive 'very small scar' thoughts your way.

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  45. Maybe the extra box is a small child that will help install the Wii?

    Good luck on the surgery. When I had my surgery a few months ago the food was pretty healthy. I wish you a speedy recovery!

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  46. Good luck with the surgery...and I hate to say it, on my last hospital stay the stuff I was offered was barely even "food," much less "healthy". You might want to have your meals imported.

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  47. Interesting that you are getting a box that weighs 41 lbs. Let us know what it is and how you like the Wii.

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