Where as my normal circumstances would have left me truly keen to be going on a trip up the coast, the circumstances surrounding this trip left me feeling a little cold, and even more than a little ripped off. Ripped off like mum’s knickers on Father’s Day in fact!
I was not going to sample smoky barbecued delights, yum cha or even enjoy a cracking breakfast by the ocean. Nor was I to visit the local farmers market or food fair, or even a new coffee shop or bar. No, I was going to hospital to have my tonsils and adenoids removed.
Well that’s just effing awesome, isn’t it?
No it isn’t.
On the slight upside though, the waiting room did have a nice stash of those magazines that bring you up to speed on such topics as Leighton and Bec’s marriage, Pete Fucking Evans’ journey from pizza to paleo and Prince William being quoted as saying, and I quote him directly now, “soon little George will able to run faster than me”.
I’m pretty happy about all of that.
Another thing I’m happy about is the communal experience that is the public hospital system. All in, if you will. Not “all in” like Friday night at the Johnston’s house at number 56, but more like the “all in” of a royal wedding – every bastard with-in a 10 meter radius gets to see and hear everything;
• Gowns that are a little bit too one-size-fits-all for a 6’4″ red bearded old pirate, making it seem like you’re great friends with your neighbour already… childhood friends possibly.
• Phone calls to loved ones, that are screened by nothing but a thin curtain. I am not lying when I tell you I just heard Jeffery next to me telling his parents that if they were coming up to visit him they were more than welcome to take his bed at home, but they would need to bring their own clean sheets.
• And then the local Esme Watson of the nursing staff rumor milling and worst-case-scenario-ing until the guy next to me is shitting himself and visibly deteriorating by the second…
That’s just the simple view of a hospital first timer.
And what did I learn from this experience?
Well, next time I would certainly go in a little more prepared. If I had known for just one second that every single story I have heard about hospital food was 100% (yes, read it, 100%) true, I would have packed myself a little hobo pack or some decent condiments at the very least.
And I probably would’ve asked a few more questions, or in fact even one question, about the procedure.
As I didn’t do the research, and nobody brought it to my attention, it was only after the tonsillectomy that I realised that the procedure goes a little something like this; some sneaky bastard got an ordinary household food grater, pushed it back and fourth down my throat and then pulled it out again. We didn’t even date first…
I am now doped up to the eyeballs and couch bound for a day or two so I dare say there will be a bit of creative writing coming from this.
foodisthebestshitever 
24 responses to “Hospital food – the struggle is real”
If you were closer I would smuggle you in some foodstuffs.. In the meantime maybe it’s time to get experimental with the vending machine and the free condiments? 😕
The thought is truly appreciated but I’m now free my brother!
Still, doesn’t help heaps with the two pits of fire in the back of my throat… Looks like it’s going to be a cleanse this week 😜😂😂😂
Free yay! Perhaps it’s a chicken noodle time
I made a tonne of ham soup last week 👌
👐
I feel you brother! I had my tonsils out as an adult and I can still remember the grueling experience. I’m not typically a drug advocate, but take those drugs. They’ll help. They might even help make that plastic hospital food look a little more palatable! Feel better!
Haha. Cheers hombre. I’m all over it (the taking of the drugs, that is) 😁
When I had mine out (50 years ago) they gave me ice cream. Just sayin’.
I’m hitting the icecream but new technology (or sadistic doctors) declared solid food is better for the healing process…
You may not get the connection, I barely do myself, but it’s what popped into my head when I read your post. It is100 percent the same when giving birth. It’s an open secret that floats about in the ether. No one tells you and (unlike your own experience) you can’t pre-prepare. Except for the hospital food part.
Eat lots of ice cream, you poor thing. 🙂
True that my friend. You’ve reminded me of when my wife gave birth to our boys! Nothing you can do to be fully ready for these things 😜
Cheers.
Screw the doctors, ice-cream will cure what ails you. Poor Ole Mr Food. Heal up quick.
Cheers Mrs Cheer. I’m working on it! 👍 I got your email PS. Im working on that too 😜
Crikey, don’t worry about that, just ya’ll rest up. Play the sick card while you can! 😂
Oiu chef!
Okay, so I’m back on my normal computer and I can comment on this blog post. Is it weird to say that your hospital food actually looks GOOD in comparison to the shiz I’ve been served on hospital wards? No weird plastic cloche, no mound of dry mashed potato… no prunes in a tupperware container. I’d rather eat a sandwich and boxed salad any day. Sorry to hear ’bout the scratched up throat though, that sounds horrific. The only parts of my head that I’ve had removed so far are teeth (my wisdom teeth, which I claim explains all uncouth behaviour on my part) so I can’t relate to the recovery period you’ll be experiencing. Buuuuut… as someone who works in a hospital (cough cough) I recommend cold beer and coyo. Maybe some chicken soup (nutritional balance, yeah?). Get well soon Graz. P.S I am actually looking forward to your couch musings
Bahaha. Cheers hombre.
See, that salad may not have looked so bad but tinned tuna, bean mix, corn, asparagus, beetroot and pineapple along with a few slices of “fresh” tomato, cucumber and capsicum… No dressing or seasoning… I think the Orange was meant to handle that.
And chicken and mayo sandwich with more mayo than chicken… But still just a scant bit if that!
😜
I’m so, so sorry. The twins had it done when they were little, but having it done as an adult is a wholly different ballgame. 😦
It is not a very fun ball game either, I must say 😜
😦 It would only be fun if you were into pain and jello…and that would be super weird.
Ain’t that the truth
Hope you start feeling better soon. Hospitals are rubbish, really rubbish, but drugs are good. I always take my own food and my own tea-pot. I am a pain in hospital. In the UK I think they have some rule about not having fruit or vegetables as part of the hospital food – unless it is so overcooked it is devoid of any nutritional value. To make matters worse the nursing staff are trained to laugh at anyone who brings in healthy food. I also come round from surgery amazingly hungry – probably something about not eating all day, but it must be really rubbish to have a painful throat – that would mess with me a lot! Sending lots of healing vibes your way.
I’m so sorry but I’m rolling on the floor laughing! I do feel sorry for you – hospital food is horrible. But I also had my tonsils out as an adult and it was worse than childbirth recovery-wise. Get better fast!
Fair crack. I’d be laughing too 😜
Cheers my friend