The Reign Of Terror Is Over. Sort Of.

After a very long weekend of fitting in everything we might want to do in the next 2 weeks to 3 years (the various amounts of recovery time I've been told I'll need), I went to the doctor at 5:50am to end the reign of terror my tonsils have held me in for my entire life.

It's funny when people tell me they're afraid of Barack Obama as a president. I've had something far worse lingering in the back of my throat for my entire life. A tonsil that swells and gets infected at an alarming rate making it next to impossible to live a normal life. Nothing could be worse. Just ask my family who has endured all these strep infections with me.

Yesterday I got home and thought to myself, "Wow, this is nothing compared to the last glass swallowing strep infection I had!"

And there was the internet to burst my bubble, "Oh no no no.....it will get worse on day 2,3 and 4. That's when you'll want to hang yourself in a fit of desperation. Also, locusts."

I did feel good almost the entire day yesterday. I sucked on ice cubes, worked a little, napped, took my pain medication.

Then at 5pm all hell broke loose and there was throwing up and other kinds of unimaginable pain. My tonsils just weren't ready to give it up. So I laid on the bathroom floor in a pool of sweat and tried to will myself to lose conciousness. Throwing up just after your throat's been sliced up, well, it's not on the list of pleasant ways to spend an evening.

Or, if you're wondering, not a nice way to spend the entire night.

But now it's day time and I'm up and typing this and have only a mild stomach ache. So for now, Tonsils, I am beating you. And I will continue to beat you. Because you suck.

Does anyone have any good dvd recommendations? Because this is going to be a long three year recovery.

Comments

[Stephanie]

My So Called Life. Always good for when you are feeling down and out.

[rbiggs]

Just hang in there. Even if it does take 3 years, it will be worth it in the long run. I feel as though I am an expert after having my tonsils out TWICE!!! Did they give you anything better than vicodin for the pain though?

[Marcie]

I've just watched all the seasons of Rescue Me, it is an excellent series. I realy loved it. I would highly recommend it.
Feel better...

[Calee]

I think the TV on DVD is a great idea. That way you can watch 20 some hours and the show still isn't done.
Have you watched 24 yet? We watched the 1st season in 2 days and didn't have tonsils as an excuse.
Alias is also a nice one for episodes that blur together. And I think there were 7 or so seasons...

On the movie front, have you seen "Once"? It's absolutely lovely and "In Bruges" is a fab dark comedy.

[Anne]

Sorry to have reminded you of the bad news, just wanted you to be prepared because my husband moaned and sobbed for three days after having his tonsils out at 35. But glad things are improving today!

[Kizz]

I just saw Junebug and Lackawanna Blues and highly recommend them both. Of course for long term recuperation I would say that the only cure is all 7 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or all 6 of Dawson's Creek but I know that's er, not for everyone.

[yasmara]

I had the same thing happen when I had my tonsils out at age 20 (best thing I ever did for my health!) and it turned out to be a reaction to the antibiotic I was on.

Oooh, MSCL is a great recommendation.

[Jennifer]

Entourage. I chose "just one more episode" over sleep too many times. This would be a nice chance to watch hours and hours. Take care.

[Ginny]

Wow. Sounds awful AND disgusting. I hope you are better soon and forever! My teenage son was laid up this summer after a car accident and we lived on Netflix. Try Freaks and Geeks (hey, Detroit connection!) and Dexter (creepy yet compelling.) Also, Fussy had a listing of people's favorite dvd's for sick days not long ago. Check that out.

[Rocky]

You never expect the puking, do you? That shocked me, too - not fun. I think a timely choice given the recent elections and state of our wobbly union would be Idiocracy. That might make you depressed, though. Family Guy? I bet that would be fun all looped-up on pain relievers :)

[kate]

Watch THE WIRE!

[jen]

24 (seconded from above)

Gilmore Girls (reruns are on every day on ABC family and they go mostly in order so once you have a general idea of the characters it is easy to get up to date on the story line)

Get Smart (I do not generally like stupid funny movies but this one got me)

[AnEmily]

If I were down and out for a few days I'd probably finally watch that series Extras, with Ricky Gervais. Or I'd get around to watching all the episodes of Firefly. But I'd be more likely to just work through Futurama. So sorry about the puking. It sounds horrible and I hope you feel better soon.

[Amy]

My all time favorite movies: Songcatcher and The Station Agent.

And, if you really need a laugh, rent a couple seasons of AbFab (Absolutely Fabulous) the British comedy to beat all comedies. I've been watching them for a few weeks and can't stop laughing. I laugh just thinking about it!

[Annie]

Eastern Promises. Bloody, but you get to see Viggo in all his glorious nuditity. And I do mean ALL.

[Lisame]

Someone recommended Lackawanna Blues and I want to second that movie.

Also, I second the TV on DVD. The Tudors. Dexter. Kids in the Hall. Northern Exposure. These are the ones I've been enjoying the most.

I'm wishing on you perfect wellness in less than a week!

[shelley]

Six Feet Under - best series ever!

[Bridget]

hi melissa,

i never comment but read your blog daily. I love your wit and reading about your life. You actually were the first blog I ever read, so thanks-

I would recommend entourage (again) great show that my hubby and I enjoy together.

and the tudors on showtime. I think it is still on demand.I took up much of my June.

Hope they gave you good drugs!

[bonzai]

Rest, rest, rest. I second (or third?) "Entourage" - the Jeremy Piven parts are priceless, or the brain candy that is "Sex in the City". If you want to laugh, "Office Space" or "Bull Durham". If you want "Ha - take that bad people" then there's always "The Shawshank Redemption". And I can (and did) watch the A&E "Pride and Prejudice" for hours and hours and hours - and you really don't have to pay that much attention, just lust after Colin Firth whenever he appears.

We're all out here pulling for you, and the day when you put a fork in those tonsils and scream "You're DONE!"

[Mark]

Mad Men

[Celina]

Hang in there girl! It can only get better, right? I recommend any season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Flight of the Conchords--funny, not terribly thought-provoking, and super entertaining. Enjoy the drugs and I hope your recovery is swift!

[carrie]

hope you feel much better soon.

Dirty Dancing is my recommendation :) there's just something about that darn flick that gets me every single time.

[Dodi]

Good luck, I hope it gets better for you from here on out! My movies recommendations would be Love Actually, Stealing Beauty, 40 First Dates and Waitress -- just a few that I can watch over & over.

[Katie]

30 Rock Seasons 1 + 2! And once you fall in love with it, you can catch up with Season 3 (so far) online.

[getsheila]

Oh my. Throwing up> I am guessing that was from the pain meds? Bummer.

For movie watching, did you ever see Enchanted April (1992) with Josie Lawrence and Miranda Richardson? It is about a group of women who take a vacation in sunny Italy, away from rainy and dreary London. A lot happens and yet nothing much happens. It is like going on vacation yourself.

Glad you are feeling better today, toots.

[St]

I'll second Buffy and The Wire and add The West Wing. Tv's the way to go since you can do little bits at a time and it goes on and on.

[missy]

Dude, I love watching Felicity reruns. It's only 4 seasons. Keri Russell is adorable. And it's Scott Speedman (or whatever his name is) is totally hot/cute.

I watched all four seasons on the Oxygen network when I stayed home for 18 months on maternity leave. They'd play two episodes a day. It was awesome.

Good luck with the recovery. I can imagine what the years of strep infections were like (I've had strep three times in the last year and each was horrible). I imagine recovery will be slow but totally worth it.

[KarinGal]

Sunset Boulevard's a winner when you're sick or recovering. Norma Desmond's drama will make your own pale in embarrassment.

[LizP]

If the kids aren't around - Weeds. Seasons 1 - 3 are out on DVD.

[tami]

Have you ever seen "Cold Feet" or "Love Hurts" or "Slings and Arrows"? UK and Canadian series, which got me through late night feedings for my kids.

[Denise]

I have to second the Northern Exposure suggestion. Best TV show ever! And you can get all the seasons from Netflix.

[Beth]

Arrested Development. Even if you've already seen them all!

[amy]

i'm sure everyone's said this, but arrested development, mad men, the office, the sex and the city movie and before sunrise and before sunset.

take care.

[Arget]

Damn, that's gotta suck!
Chalk is a good movie. Funny, and well written.
Junebug's pretty good too...
The Squid and the Whale... of course, if you want something you can zone out over... Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Yes, it's official. I AM a dork.

[Terilynn]

I doubt you'll like Buffy. But all the Arrested Development you can get your hands on is recommended. I'm into season 1 of 6 Feet Under now, and I heart it. Dexter is great, as is Weeds.
You can find them streaming online most of the time too, if Logan gets bitchy about renting them all.
Or let me know & I'll FedEx all my TV on DVD to you. Including all 7 seasons of Buffy. Because it's really good even though you wouldn't like it.

Feel better! Get Pudding Pops!

[Sarah]

"The West Wing" runs in an almost continuos loop in my DVD player.

By the way "Also, locusts" is a fabulous piece of writing though it's just two words, it really made me laugh.

[HouseofJules]

Oooh, that sounds truly awful. I hope you're feeling much better soon! I recommend "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" seasons 1-3 (I'm pretty sure 3 is either about to come out or just came out), Waitress, Chocolat (the one w/ Johnny Depp), The Riches, seasons 1 & 2, and WonderFalls (was a TV show that got cancelled before it's time... created by the same guy that's doing "Pushing Daisies".

You can watch tons of shows/movies on Hulu, too.

Jules
House of Jules

[NTE]

No, no: you were supposed to say how easy it was and how you felt so much better and END THERE. And yet this is the story I have heard, over and over from those adults I know who've gotten their tonsils out. So, even though I have my 17th(!)infection of the year this week, I refuse to even consider having them out. (My grandmother tells of the glory days when the doctor would just drip silver something or other on them and they'd shrink up on their own, but apparently it was... toxic or something. Damn newfangled not killing people technologies.)

As for DVD recommendations - when I am feeling my worst it's either clip shows (That's Entertainment is on DVD and I taped all those "AFI 100 greatest" specials) or smart writing for me: Serenity, Sports Night, West Wing.

Feel better soon!

[Thea]

Watch the movie "Once". It's great. And then, if you have watched through the stack of dvd's and are desperate, check out www.hulu.com where you can watch a bunch of stuff for free.

[Mary]

Mad Men - yes yes yes! Such a slick and cool perspective of advertising in the 60s. Fabulous!

Weeds is great too - but not for kids.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Maggie]

Melissa, you've had HOURS to heal. You are clearly milking this.

[Dan Man]

I would suggest not eating jello or chicken noodle soup for the next 3 days. Though if Logan inisists that you do, I 'll vouch for you. I think it's only fair since you did it for me so long ago!

[Krista]

The Notebook on dvd is a must. An absolute MUST, I tell you. Then send Logan out for the entire Twilight Saga. If you hate reading, then force him to download the audiobooks on ur ipod. All pain is soothed when you fall in love with a vampire. I swear to Bob that YOU WILL NOT REGRET reading these. The pain...forgotten. I swear it.

[jana]

I second Six Feet Under. And the first season of Mad Men (available on DVD). It's written my Matthew Wiener, one of the writers for The Sopranos. Unbelievable TV on both counts.

[Traci from Landa]

Intersection is my all time favorite movie. Crash will change your view on life. Those are my reccomendations.

[HorribleLicensePlates]

Waking Life, I heart Huckabees, Edward Scissorhands. Just to name a few ;-) Great movies!

[Lisa]

I'm with Katie up there: 30 Rock. I have a crush on Tina Fey, so how psyched was I to see a veritable 30 Rock marathon on my flight from LA to Auckland in September. It was the best 14hours in coach ever! (iTunes has them all.)

[alice]

YES - tv on dvd is good, since it's in much more bite-sized chunks. Arrested Development, Gilmore Girls, Swingtown, cheesy 80s movies (the Hughes oeuvre especially). I loved the British version of Queer as Folk (couldn't get into the American one). And see if any guilty pleasures are on dvd - my brother got MacGyver as a gag gift, and it was weirdly compelling to watch a few of those old episodes (but more than a few was WAY too many.)

[leenie]

oh my jesus MAD MEN.

it is the best thing in the world. even with a stomach ache.

[brie]

See if you can track down "Peep Show." It's from the UK and it is hilarious. Also great (and from the UK) is "Skins." And "Flight of the Conchords" is pretty funny and sweet and features cute men with cute accents.

[kris]

i think you puke when tonsils are removed because you swallow blood (how could you not). and as i understand you can not digest blood (at least not your own) and it has to go someplace so it goes out the way it came... i remeber as a kid they made me drink ginger ale...lets talk painful.

[Jen]

I second "Northern Exposure"...it's quirky and fun and a little whacked out which is probably how you feel on pain medication anyway.

Hope you feel better! I'm a big whiny pain in the patootey when I'm sick or in pain, so the fact that you are online writing coherent prose is inspiring. Have a glass of ice on the rocks for me!

[Cat]

Am so sorry. Feel better soon. Movies: Lars and the Real Girl, Kung Fu Panda, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space (terrible movie, but it excels at being terrible - how can you NOT watch a movie where they kill people with shadow puppets and popcorn guns?)

[Krista]

Did ya get Twilight yet?? Huh?? Did ya?? LOL :) Hope today brings less pain and puke!

[natalie]

entourage, its always sunny in Philadelphia, weeds, how i met your mother.

All so funny you'll forget what time, day, year it is ...

[Abby]

I was wondering if this was going to happen to you.... I basically threw up for 6 days straight after mine were removed. Like I said - I lost 10lbs in 10 days! It was pure hell, but once I willed myself to get out of bed and not let the sickness take over, things seemed to get back to normal after a week. I think I ate tacos like 2 weeks after the surgery and that was a major milestone for me... Hang in there! Next year at this time when you haven't had strep or really been sick AT ALL - you will remember this time as simply a means to an end... GOOD LUCK!

[Abby]

OH! And recommendations!! Six Feet Under... There are 5 Seasons and everyone of them are amazingly shot, great story lines and I still to this day MISS all the characters on the show!

[Michelle Gand]

Keep your sex life hot and make every moment special. Men love sexy lingerie. Spice it up at www.lingerieoasis.com

[iMommy]

I suggest Memento. Freakin amazing cinematography.

[Jeremiah]

Ditto on "The Station Agent." Also, I think the (cancelled) series "Dead Like Me" would suit your temperament and/or condition. Oh, and "Six Feet Under," if you haven't already seen it. Get through Season 1 and it will suck you in for the other five.

[kayla]

Hope your feeling better . You have a great blog

[die Frau]

Second the 24 DVDs--just stop after season 3. How many times can terrorists hit Jack Bauer's exact location? How many times can you hear him scream "DAMMIT!"? And don't get me wrong--I *loved* that show. I am also a huge fan of LOST, but you cannot miss an episode or you get all confused. Not that you'll want to miss any of it.

"The Princess Bride"--not a lot of effort, funny, re-watchable. Good luck with the recovery!

[marybell]

If you want funny, get Arrested Development- 3 seasons. It is so stupid and so beautiful. Flight of the Conchords. I loved it so much I actually bought the songs they sing to listen to on my ipod. Not that I can listen with anyone else in the car...
I hope you feel better!

[Jennifer]

The entire run of Arrested Development. Something's Got to Give. The Devil Wears Prada. Mama Mia (I think it's out on DVD). NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT Dan in Real Life. I had ACL reconstruction in May and sent my hubby to the store for some movies. For some reason that movie made me very angry when I tried to watch it...twice!

I hope you feel better.

[Courtney]

I like old movies so I'm recommending Some Like It Hot, Casablanca, Gone With The Wind and Citizen Kane.

[KYouell]

Torchwood, baby. Watch some Capt. Jack Harkness. Woot!

Or "Iron Man" -- I had no idea that Robert Downey Jr. was sexy. Just thought he was annoying in the 80s and 90s. Found myself completely obsessed by him after watching that movie and I can't wait for the sequel. Nummers.

Last recommendation is the Bourne series. Nowhere near as good as the books, but then Matt Damon isn't in the books, so there ya go.