I Wanna Go “Home”

Over winter break, I came down with what I like to call “the plague”- A violent tonsillitis that sent me to the hospital three days before Christmas. I have a history of battling these God-awful throat infections, but this was the “Mecca”. This one struck with a vengeance, and when I returned back to W&M after winter break, a familiar stream of sickness struck again. This pushed my parents and doctors to finally consider having my tonsils taken out (plus redshirting indoor track- my favorite season) in mid-February. What. A. Blast.

I notified my professors of my absence, packed my duffel bag and hopped on the Amtrak home to New Jersey. As soon as I stuffed my duffel bag into the little overhead compartment and the train started North, I longed to be in Introductory Astronomy, sitting next to my best friend Katie (where I would have been if all this surgery business didn’t have to happen). No offense to my family, or my hometown of Toms River, but I dreaded going home- and not just because of the upcoming surgery. I hate leaving William & Mary. It is empowering to constantly be surrounded by such friendly, intellectual people. Everyone here is passionate about something (usually several things) and that makes it such a remarkable place that is hard to leave (especially when you have to get your tonsils yanked out).

Thursday I had a complete tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. I was so terrified of being put to sleep that the doctors had to give me a tranquilizer before they even gave me any anesthetic, but before I knew it, I was home and feeling pretty good (so many facebook messages from hall-mates and teammates wishing me well!)…little did I know what the next few days had in store for me. Pre-surgery, I researched tonsillectomy stories and freaked myself out a bit. I read blog posts about the excruciating throat pain, headaches, etc. and thought, “I am a collegiate distance runner. I am used to pain. Those people posting must be really wimpy”. Well, lets just say either I was wrong, or that I’m really wimpy too (and I really don’t think that the latter is true). I lived in a Percocet induced haze for several days. The pain was unbearable- imagine swallowing shattered glass…

Over the last week and a half, McDonalds vanilla milkshakes have kept me alive (I had one from Wawa and felt like a serious traitor) in addition to lots of pudding, Jell-O, and popsicles. Another thing that has lifted my spirits is the positivity from all of my friends back at school. Although I could barely talk, I’ve video chatted (and texted, called & IMed) several of my friends throughout the week. They have all offered their encouragement and humor to keep my mind off of things. When I was not sleeping, attempting to eat/drink or in touch with my friends, the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games were a pleasant distraction to block out my pain. I think I have probably watched more Olympic coverage than every student at William & Mary combined. I have also developed a fondness for ice dancing and cross-country skiing- must be like running a marathon in the snow-YIKES!

I have been home for 10 days and I started to miss school as soon as I left campus. My love for freshmen dorm life may seem strange, but I have missed residing with 90 of my closest buds, and saying “Goodnight Kiah, see you in the morning” several times per night to my roommate. J Also, the “Student Happenings” emails haven’t failed in reminding me how utterly bored I am at home, stationed on the couch. Don’t get me wrong- Apolo Anton Ohno, Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso have kept me great company, and I am so thankful for my mom waiting on me hand-and-“throat”, but I am ready for the 7 hour return to the good old Burg… and I won’t be bringing back those tonsils.