A few days ago I had surgery to remove four wisdom teeth. It was overall a smooth experience – I was lucky to have a lovely surgical team and no major delays or post-op complications. I am still a bit drowsy, mostly due to the medications, and my waking hours rotate between sleeping, taking my pain medications, wearing my ice pack, drinking soup, playing games and reading books.

As the swelling and pain subside, all that is left is immense gratitude. I am grateful for modern surgery, which continues to transform many lives every day; for anesthesia and painkillers, which make absurd procedures painless; for the new restaurants downstairs I’ve tried thanks to my new liquid diet; for the quiet time I was able to have after exams; for friends, love, and life.

What an amazing thing it is to be alive.