April 27, 2009. I wear my button down shirt, very small surgery, may be out same day. My family is all there. I feel loved and fortunate. They have to wait in the family room while I go in and wait for nurses to check me. The anesthesiologist speaks to me about the surgical process. A nice nurse tells me it is time. My family walks with me to operating room. I am not at all nervous, just happy to be removing the monster. Dr. Lim is my surgeon, which is great since I am comfortable with her. She is not stone-faced today but rather sympathetic and sweet. She puts a hand over my shoulder and tells me I am going to be fine. I trust her. My arms are out to the side, I am laid out staring at the bright lights. I feel closer to Jesus in this crucified state. The anesthesiologist tells me I am so tiny, she is crazy, has she seen my thighs? I was waiting for the countdown. Lights out… Mom, dad, hey guys it is you, I am up, I made it! Look at me and they said I would feel strange when I woke up. Woah, what are these things with blood hanging like breasts on my chest, oh yeah, the drainage. Mom and dad said I shouldn’t talk, doctors said it would not be good for my vocal cords since they are a little traumatized. They can’t be in the recovery room for too long so they leave. I don’t feel good. Friend and cousin come in next, I am not feeling too good. The anesthesia wears off, I feel sick. My sister and my boyfriend come in. Emotions, pain and nausea mean I cannot function. My sister tries to make a joke, and I cry, it hurts and you can’t help me! Don’t leave me I am scared. My sister fights the tears. They leave, I throw up. Dr. Retsagi comes to visit, wipes off the vomit from my lips, nice of him, he says he will see me in the morning. I thought I would be leaving tonight, I can’t because the parathyroid glands were also traumatized, and my calcium levels had dropped, I feel the tingling in my hands and face. My lips are dry so the nurse puts petroleum on them. How much longer until I get a room I ask? Soon the nurse leaves me I had already thrown up four times. I was sad she was leaving since she had taken such good care of me, but I was getting a room soon.