I’m pretty sure I just used up of six minutes of my allotted fifteen minutes of fame. In May, I was interviewed by OC Family magazine (see it here on page 82) about being a working mom.

And then the editor Susan Belknapp (see her blog here) asked me to be part of a panel interview on “Cox Forum.”  It’s a local show about issues facing the heart of Orange County–actually, I don’t know what their shtick is–I just made that up. But I am sure it’s something like that.

I was nervous. It was the first time that I was “coming out” that I worked at CHOC Children’s. Up until that point, I only ever wrote about “working for a hospital.” That meant that I’d have to put on my PR hat and say the right thing–about one of the most hot-button issues ever. In the history of motherhood. No pressure. Now, I am no stranger to the debate between the working moms and the stay-at-homers.  But I do, obviously, have my own opinions and was nervous about whst “work Pam” could have to say about all of this. 

The good news is I was paired up with Trinka–a VP at a well-known bank, and a mother of a two-year-old. It turned out that it wasn’t even a debate. We were pretty much on the same page. There wasn’t anybody there yelling at us or pointing fingers. Just an honest discussion about the issues facing working moms.

We both answered some pretty loaded questions, and think we did okay, considering that we are amateurs.

You can see the video below. I am used to writing speaking points for people going in front of the camera, not actually being in front of it. And please be kind, I was so nervous that I wasn’t sure what to do with my hands. So I sat on them. Can you say awkward?

And the real highlight of the night? Once Trinka and realized that our little ones were fast asleep at home and there was no need to hurry home. Susan, Trinka and I went out for a yummy meal and an even yummier and much-needed drink.

 In case you wanted to know, I plan to use the last nine minutes toward a windfall lottery mega win and when I am interviewed by Oprah. And in case you want to see me at OC Family, click here.

My apologies for the radio silence. I have been cut open, sewn up, and neared death more than once. Then, I completely lost my marbles, moved in with my parents, was babied by my mommy and moved back home, only to be tortured by my babies.

That’s right, I got my tonsils out.

I work at a hospital where I regularly interact with some of the world’s top physicians and surgeons. When I told them I’d be out for a couple of weeks to have the procedure–the reaction was NEVER good.

Here are some ACTUAL responses from docs and/or nurses here at the hospital:

“Yikes!”

“You are going to feel like you are swallowing shards of glass.”

“I am SO sorry. I will pray for you.”

“It’s worse pain than childbirth or kidney stones, you know that, right?”

“It’s the worst surgical recovery possible. Your C-section will seem like a day at the park.”

“Recovery for kids is SO much easier.” –thanks for telling me that TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO

“Great! You won’t be able to talk!”–from one of my favorite surgeons and part-time heckler

“You are going to be planning my death the first week post-op.”–from my actual ENT surgeon that took ‘em out

After heeding such ominous warnings one might think that I would change my mind. But the wheels were in motion. I was having the same Strep Throat infection 4-5 times a year. I was really sick with throat-related infections the last two Christmases. The final straw, for me, was that I kept passing infections to the babies. I’d get well while they were sick, then they’d give it back to me, just as they were getting better. It was a vicious cycle. We were a big hot (literally) feverish, drugged-up mess. It had to stop.

So I did it. I had the surgery. As they wheeled me into the operating room, happy as a clam, being pumped full Versed, I had thoughts of grandeur, about how awesome I was for making such a great sacrifice for my family. It can’t be THAT bad, right? I can do this. Then I nodded quietly off to sleep.

When I opened my eyes, I gasped. There had to have been some mistake. A scalpel had been left in my throat. That was the only explanation. I opened my mouth to tell Rob to get help and nothing came out. There wasn’t a scalpel there, of course, but it sure as HECK felt like it. And remained that way until two days ago, which, just as a frame of reference, was 11 days post-op.

You see, with most surgeries, the pain is the worst in the beginning, then gets better each day. That is SO not what happened. In fact, by day four, I was ready to die just to find relief. I stayed with my parents for almost a week, who lovingly took care of me when I can confidently say I was at my worst. Ever. The whole thing was a sleepy, sweaty, painful blur. Every sip was so painful, I would gag, and whatever I was trying to drink would dribble out of my nose.

Even though I am still drinking Ensure* as my meals, I am on my way to recovery. I am back at work and 12 pounds lighter (although this isn’t exactly a viable weight-loss option–I suggest lap band or something WAY less painful.)

I am not writing this to scare anyone out of a tonsillectomy. I wanted to share the TRUTH so that you know what to expect. It was horrible, but in the totally worth it. It has made me stronger. My family and I will be healthier. Seriously if I can get through that, I can get through anything. And so can you.

When I came back to work, a colleague of mine said, “Pain must agree with you. You look great.”

“Thanks,” I said sheepishly, secretly knowing it was the narcotics.

*I was not in any way compensated by Ensure, but IF the lovely folks at Ensure want to send me a couple free cases, I’ll totally take it. It’ll be another few weeks that I am on this liquid/soft food diet. Just sayin.