going under

Have you ever had surgery?
Yesterday I had my 7th one.  Definitely not my most serious one...just an outpatient procedure.
I wasn't scared...or nervous. 
But I wasn't thrilled either.  I had a small cyst above my gumline that needed to be removed. 
I chose to have a general anesthetic instead of hearing/feeling the scraping and cutting that needed to be done.
I know I chose it, but "going under" is undeniably one of the trippiest experiences....

You lay on the chair (or table, depending on what you're having done).
They put the 'gas' mask on - nitrous oxide, to be specific. 
You breathe in the air. It smells so bad and makes you feel queasy. It makes your head spin and you consider pulling it off, or holding your breath...but your body starts to go limp.  You wonder if you're still breathing because it doesn't feel like it....
You can hear what people are saying, but don't feel like you have any hold on the world around you.
As your eyes close, you see a kaleidescope of shapes in the room spinning faster and faster and you think how you wish you were home with your children.  You don't want to be here...this doesn't feel right. 
You hear voices telling you "they are going to start an IV" and to "make a fist."  Seems strange that you can accomplish this when your arms are floating around in space.... The doctor slaps your arm to pump up your veins.  You feel the prick of a needle...then it all goes dark.
Within that same minute, you hear voices calling to you from a far away place: 
"Katie can you hear me?  Open your eyes.  We're done.  Katie?  KATIE!  Open your eyes!"
You groggily do as you're instructed, but question how it could be over?  "Did it only take 5 minutes?"
"You've been under for 45 minutes....We're all done now....Open your eyes."
You question why you need your eyes open....what purpose will it accomplish?  It's so bright in the room, and you're so tired...
You are commanded again, "Open your eyes, Katie."
No.  I dont want to!
You refused to obey, and with eyes closed, you can tell someone is helping to lift your body to a standing postion, then seated again in a wheelchair.  You notice your body is being urge to stand up, then sit down again, and you're in a car. You're vagely aware of the ride home but can't tell how long you've been in the car...  You're hanging on to someone as you're helped up the steps and into your home.
You come to grips with where you are.
The fog lifts faster as you finally open your eyes and see the familiar surroundings.
You're coming out of it. The procedure is over. 
In and out of another sugery.

Then, painfully, recovery begins.