ooh this dope nose.

Last thursday I underwent traumatic surgery. Okay, it wasn't that threatening but it was huge for me. It was my first time having an IV shoved in my veins, first time being put under, just the first time for a lot of hospital adventures. To me, this was a big deal.

I was scheduled to check into the hospital at 6:45 A.M. for my Septoplasty and Turbinectomy Reduction. In lame terms I was getting the middle of my nose put back into place and reducing swelling in the little side things that cause air flow. In lamer terms they were going to make it so I could breathe through my nose.

I went in, filled out papers, changed into this sexy little purple nighty (all you guys should be very jealous you didn't see me in this) with a blue thin surgical cap, and had my vital signs taken. After it was confirmed that I was not pregnant with my first pee in a cup experience, a nurse pushed a big ass needle of an IV into my right hand. Doctors came in, asked me the same questions, I answered with the same answers and next thing I knew some guy told me that "this will make you feel really good." (That sounds really dirty if you think in the gutter.)

I do not remember leaving my family as they pushed my bed down the halls to the surgical room, but I do remember waving and smiling to a bunch of old people who had more problems then a nose job to worry about. When I was pushed into the room, it was like I was getting pushed into a movie. I was quite out of my mind at this point and I felt like I was in a dream like state. They helped me move to the surgical table and a guy asked me to scoot up so my head was touching his hand. A breathing mask was placed over my mouth and I was instructed to take in deep breaths. I do not remember anything after that.

I woke up to an angel.

She was the most beautiful blonde I have ever seen while laying in a hospital bed after surgery. I was confused but felt safe- which is odd concerning I had no idea where I was and why there was a giant piece of gauze taped under my nose that i couldn't even tell was there. I slowly came to and the moment I did I felt cold blood drip down on my lip. That is when I realized what had happened (that and I recognized the guy eating a sandwich.) I do not remember getting pushed back into the patient waiting room and I do not remember how I got a glass of cold water in my hand- but like in the movies, it magically happened..

The next few hours were hell for not only me, but my family.

I was crying in pain, fear, confusion, and exhaustion. I had never felt like this before. Helpless. I was tired but I couldn't close my eyes, I had blood dripping from my nose which was laced with tenderness.

Thirty minutes after leaving the hospital I was packed into the front seat of a rapist van heading to Colorado. This might have sounded sketchy, but my family was on our way to Winter Park for the Concrete Rodeo Tour (aka the skate tour my father created and we all help produce.) For most recovering patients this is not you idea of a relaxing way to get over your surgical choas. It wasn't mine either. My parents wanted me to come. At first, I wont lie, I was kind of upset. Why would I want to go on tour when I would be uncomfortable and worthless? But once we got in the car and I heard the laughs and saw my families smiles, I knew that I would be lonely without them and would have regretted not coming along.

I spent the entire weekend laying down with my head propped up at an uncomfortable angle.

 I rested like this in the hotel rooms until passed check out time, in the car while it was parked in the skatepark parking lots, and in the car while it was moving. My head constantly pounded with sinus pressure. My teeth were sore from the swelling of my face. My mouth could only move so much before affecting my nose splits. I couldn't smile. I feared yawning and sneezing. I drank Children's Motrin like I was an alcoholic. I religiously sprayed my nose with Saline spray. I grew a sore throat from the constant heavy mouth breathing, the left over scrapes of tubes from my surgery, and my constant complaining of my discomfort.

 I consumed nothing but liquids for six days.

I felt like this for a week.

I felt like hell, until today.

At 1:45 P.M. i went  back to the ear nose and throat doctor. I laid back in a chair while my nose was starred at by a quirky man with a head lamp. Right in the little center part of my nose was a stitch that held in the splints and straws. The doctor had no problem and cutting it and pulling it out. My eyes watering and a disgusted look on my face was a result of the sharp pain this little stitch presented. Next he took tweezers and pulled out my splits. Now when you look at my nose, you would not think that these four inched straws would not be able to fit up my little nose. Well they did. And when the came out, gasps came from not only my audience of supporters but my self.

Both of the splints coming out was uncomfortable and quite awkward. I could instantly breathe. For the first time in a very very very long time I could feel air flowing in my nose. I took a few breaths on my new pipes and instantly turned pale. I got light headed and felt like I was going to faint.

 Too much oxygen in my brain caused my first new breaths to scare me.

My father, being quite the doctor himself, had me wave my arms like a bird and pull my knees up to my chest. After a few minutes of these aerobics, I was back to normal.

I walked out of the hospital and drove home smelling things deeper than I have ever smelt them.  13th was filled with a variety of fragrances. The first thing I ate was a Slurpie. I got my favorite flavor of Banana, but it tasted completely different. It sounds childish and strange- but I can smell everything. Food taste different. And I can finally breathe while I am eating. You cannot hear me when I chew. My mouth can stay closed when I sleep. Everything is so different.

I am so happy.

Currently I only have a sore throat, but it is on the road to healing. Hopefully I will feel perfect by this weekend to go to McCall Idaho and work with the skate tour in my last and only event of the season. Sooner, hopefully I feel well enough to go see Bright Eyes tomorrow with my friends.

I am so thankful for my family.

Although my sister thinks I have been faking it, I have really been in a lot of pain. My family constantly made sure I was comfortable to the best of the abilities. They constantly brought me hot drinks, cold drinks, soups, popsicles, medicine, sore throat candies, anything. My mom always had a smile and would find it funny when I tried to smile back but my mouth wouldn't move correctly. My dad shared his herbal remedies. And my sister would stay up and wait for me to get out of the shower and into bed because she didn't want anything to happen to me. My family did and keeps doing more than I could ever ask for.

 I am so lucky. :)

Have a goodnight! I know I will sleep for the first time in a week and breathe for the first time in many years through my nose.

xoxo

The title are lyrics from "Dope Nose" by Weezer