My First Procedure that REQUIRED A full knock out
Laryngoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the larynx (voice box) and vocal cords. It is used to diagnose and manage conditions that affect the voice, breathing, or swallowing.
Some helpful context
While walking to the bus stop some years ago while living in Hyrum. Utah, I found myslef coughing trying to dislodge phlegm from my throat. Little did I know in 2025 - I would face this discomfort almost annually, and even more recently multiple times a year. More recently my hoarse voice lasts 6 - 10 weeks. This current occasion began the week of Christmas Eve 2024. So, when the physician scoped my throat via my nose a few weeks ago, because my wife and I were seeking answers, a discrete LARYNGOSCOPY was the action plan. Side note, this need highlights again just how broken the US medical system tends to be.
So, at approximately 6:30 AM MST, I arrived at the Cache Valley Hospital where a team of care physicians, with Dr. Blotter as surgeon, completed the procedure. Some extra context - yesterday, I was contacted for scheduling this procedure with the location where the procedure would be completed. For the 3rd time in this process, I supplied personal information. As a generally reasonable person, I imagined the supplied information from me would then be harvested in a data system or in systems authorized to communicate with other authorized systems. Oh how my expectations were flawed and require recalibration. When I arrived at registration this morning - to my dismay much of the information shared previously was not available to the medical Registrar tasked with checking me in. Note, these contacts were pre procedure and to gather information for any medical elements used to support this procedure.
I remember nothing from the point the medicine was supplied in my IV until I woke up from a deep slumber. I felt a bump on my lip. A disposable stitch or two. This is a common side need as a breathing tube is inserted to support this procedure. Apparently info was relayed from the attending surgeon to my wife Liz. Liz did not grab a post procedure photo - said i was too miserable looking. Well if that's the side effect of a GREAT nap - i'll take that miserable look then. The procedure took more time than the 15 minutes planned, but nothing was considered abnormal in the processes and procedures of this event.
An UNANTICIPATED OCCURRENCE
I wrote a facebook post while waiting for Liz in the Walmart parking lot. My observation skills were so tuned in to everything. Here's the text of the post:
The unbridled clarity bombarding me currently, without conscious and purposeful efforts I have cultivated to guide my personal agency and actions is indeed refreshing but ONLY with the lens of wisdom applied -otherwise, it is dangerous and perhaps reckless. I am grateful for tolerance and justice that serves as my personal guardrails - I have a library of life experience filled with plenty of mistakes, lessons learned, and successes. They have shaped my personal maturity - gleaned through my lifelong efforts in my journey of reasonable self scrutiny.
As I observe willful negligence, cruelty, and shirked accountability of this world - "HOPE" is sometimes quite difficult to identify, witness, and can be quite hard to find - but it does exist.
Perhaps the cardinal virtue of temperance has influenced my value system more than I allow myself to recognize. I am amazed how often myself and the world abuses the cardinal virtue of justice - simply to mask, shield, excuse ego driven trespasses, and hypocrisy.
Like I said, this bit of clarity as I seek a bit of respite and recovery is invigorating - may I have the wisdom to extend temperance and kindness and grace to myself and to the world as I navigate life. I am grateful to be surrounded by others that extend me measures of grace.
Now to rest!
AND - Here's a link to the actual post on FB:
Off to rest more
I wanted to share this while I was still navigating the freshness of this experience. I am 50 years old and the only other surgical type procedure for me was a vasectomy = I share this to remind me of things and for an example to any that happen upon this post and info. Well, the weight of the next medicine dosage is hitting me hard, so I MUST go rest. Cheers!
