Day Two

I will begin by describing yesterday's experiences, as I am now aware enough to do so.

Two friends picked me up and drove me to the hospital, where I was given a bed in a room with three other people. For those in the United States, it may surprise them that the room was shared all day, that there were no televisions, and that the visiting hours were very short (only two hours per day at different times). As one of my friends said, space is at a premium here.

Shelagh had to return the car so Susan stayed with me. We chatted for several hours, as I was waiting my turn to arrive at the operating theatre. I was very happy to have her company, as there is something unnerving about having surgery so far from home, without family or old friends for support. So I appreciated that both of them accompanied me to the hospital. I found the hospital to be rather run-down looking, not clean and crisp as I have been accustomed to in American hospitals. We were waiting because they performed tonsillectomies and the 'easy' surgeries earlier in the morning, so I was waiting to be taken in. I was last, as apparently my surgery is not a very common one. Prior to the surgery, I had to sign a paper stating that there would be no guarantee I would get my voice back in the same or better condition. Although this concerned me, especially as I had a friend write me advising against the surgery, I felt I had no choice. Susan also said that if she was in my position, alone in another country, this would be the only choice for her as well. I can only hope that after three weeks I will be better and that my voice will come back.

I was wheeled down to another room, where several patients were waiting in beds to go into the operating theatre. Eventually I was brought into the theatre where I was anaethsetized. Upon waking, I found myself in the same room with several other patients, who were also being woken up. I fought the need to cough as long as I could, based on the dire warnings about coughing, but in the end I could not help it, and this seems to remain an issue. Hopefully I will still heal.

I returned to the room where I waited for someone to pick me up and take me home. I felt woozy but fortunately was not ill; my roommates were not so fortunate. It was a few hours before they brought dinner up, and rather frustrating to try and sign to explain I could not speak to every nurse that came by to ask me how I was doing. Susan had brought me a notebook, so I wrote this down and kept pointing at it until a nurse made me a placard that read 'complete voice rest'. After this, the nurses came to give me morphine and I slept until it was time to go home, the aftermath of which I posted about last night.

I woke this morning with searing pain in my throat; apparently the morphine had worn off. Breakfast will be eggs and tuna fish. This diet change will be difficult for me, since I love spicy foods and dairy more than anything.

It has been hard to explain myself, even using a notepad, for the past day or so. Concepts that I can explain with my voice don't make much sense unless I write out a paragraph. Certain things cannot be communicated by signs.

Because I am unable to work during this time, and it is even suggested that I not go out (as this will lead to the desire to speak), some of the dancers I know started a fundraiser for me, for which I am also appreciative. I am attaching a button in case anyone wishes to donate. The original goal was $1200, and is now $1040. It has been wonderful to find that so many people are willing to support me in different ways during this difficult time.

I will post again this evening.