FOLLOWING FLOATING STARS TOWARDS THE WARM GLOW OF ETERNITY
Earlier this year I finally accepted that surgery was my only option for a persistently painful and inhibiting medical problem I’d had over a number of years that was severely damaging my quality of life, overall health, and ability to fully function in society. This surgery did not strike me as a quick-fix procedure, though it was described as standard day surgery with recovery at home expected to be smooth, quick and manageable. Ever the fatalist at the most inconvenient of times, I was dubious and consumed with dread given the nature of it was particularly unpleasant, potentially painful and I did not have access to a motor vehicle if I needed to rush to a doctor, pharmacy or hospital. But having received those assurances to the contrary, I was not too concerned on the day of the procedure. Furthermore, I was not prepared for what was to come. From the moment I woke up after the procedure I was shocked to find I had lost my voice. I figured it was just from the oxygen and not an...