Few years back, I am lying in
a pale blue hospital gown with the hand outstretched towards the gentleman who
is sedating me. Very pleasant experience, from what I remember. It was my very
first anesthesia and the thing that made it so special was the feeling I experienced
in days to come. Dreams I had in those few days after the intervention were
the most vivid and amazing and I felt extremely happy for no reason right after
I woke up. That lasted for some time and of course, the most special of it all
was the fact that at the time all was fine.
On a beautiful April morning my
alarm clock woke me at 6:20. I went to the kitchen and drank a glass of water.
Later that same day I walked into a hospital. This time I was lying naked,
covered with green hospital sheets with both hands outstretched. There was
nothing unusual at the time, I was extremely cold and my feet and hands were
dark purple colored. Nurse stuck a needle in my hand already and a mask with
the oxygen was above me. Very soon trough my bloodstream I felt.. I felt
nothing except pain when I finally woke up. I was still cold. A very
friendly lady tucked me with few extra blankets. The one at the top was dark
blue with white stripes. I like stripes. I woke up again in the middle of the
night with the worst nausea. I did not
remember of having any dreams and I was a bit disappointed in anesthesiologist
for the choice he had made. I didn’t talk about my feelings the morning after
but nausea, the annoying fellow was still with me.
Today, Thursday, April 28, 2016, I am at home. It’s
surprisingly cold outside. When I open the window light
breeze from the north blows in. I am still
fairly motionless and many eating restrictions still apply. Right now I got the urge for a big slice of cake. I am not hungry, this is a signal from inside that all is fine. Happily I have a
stash of dried lemon slices which bring flavor to this unflavored
period. I usually pop two slices in water bottle I use daily. Lemon
slices rehydrate and fragrance the water in a very gentle way leaving their tangy
flavor in it. What I also like is to put few slices in a soup while it’s
cooking. Chicken soup with carrots (chicken breasts cooked with carrots and potatoes and bay leave) and dried lemon slices. Delicious!
Dried lemon slices
Use organic fruits, if possible. Wash the lemons thoroughly
especially if you are using waxed ones from the supermarket. After you wash
them, dry them thoroughly.
Slice lemons thinly and uniformly using a sharp knife.
Lay out slices on the baking trays covered in parchment
paper.
Place in the pre-heated oven, 80oC. Cook until they are totally dried out. Flip
them over every hour or so, so they dry evenly. It took mine about 2,5 hours
(but I cut them very, very thinly). When they are done, turn the oven off, and
let them sit overnight in the oven.
After drying they will slightly change the color, they
become a bit darker.
Remove them from the oven, and store in an airtight
container (glass jar).
