In early 2020, I underwent a surgery called microvascular decompression. This procedure involves general anesthesia and opening the skull to operate inside the head. I was scared half to death, as I had never had a surgery under general anesthesia before.
I needed this surgery for a condition called hemifacial spasms. I returned to work a few months after giving birth to my child, but I was physically and emotionally exhausted. Balancing work and childcare took a significant toll on my health. I also had a difficult colleague at work whose toxic behavior caused me a lot of mental stress.
Then one day, I started experiencing facial spasms. They got worse over time. After enduring it for a few years, I finally decided to undergo surgery. The procedure was successful, and the spasms have not returned. Since the surgery, I’ve been trying to better manage my stress.
general anesthesia - uses medicines that allow patients to be unconscious and free of pain during major operations
scared half to death - to frighten someone very much
take toll on - to have a serious, bad effect on someone or something
twitch - to make a sudden small movement with a part of the body, usually without intending to
deficiency - the state of not having, or not having enough, of something that is needed
2020년 초에 나는 미세혈관 감압술이라는 수술을 받았다. 이 수술은 전신 마취를 하고 두개골을 열어 머리 안쪽을 수술한다. 전신 마취로 수술을 한 번도 받아본 적이 없었기에 너무나 두려웠다.
나는 ‘반측성 안면 경련’이라는 증상으로 이 수술을 해야 했다. 아이를 낳고 몇 달 후 회사에 복귀했지만 몸과 마음이 많이 힘들었다. 일과 육아를 병행하느라 체력적으로 많이 부담됐다. 또한 직장에 까다로운 동료가 있었는데, 그 동료의 악질적 행실 때문에 정신적 스트레스를 많이 받았다.
그러던 어느 날부터 안면 경련이 생기기 시작하더니, 시간이 지날수록 더 심해졌다. 몇 년을 견디다 결국 수술을 받기로 결심했다. 수술은 성공적이었고 경련은 재발하지 않았다. 수술 이후 나는 스트레스를 잘 관리하려고 노력하고 있다.
- I was scared half to death when I saw the news. / I hate bugs, so I was scared half to death.
- We argued so much that I was physically and emotionally exhausted. / I felt physically and emotionally exhausted at my last job.
- A good hobby can help you manage your stress. / I sometimes go running to manage my stress.
A: I’ve been getting these twitches around my eyes lately.
B: It could be due to a magnesium deficiency.
A: That’s what I thought too, so I’ve started taking health supplements.
B: Sometimes it can also be caused by stress.
A: You’re right. I’ve read about that as well.
B: Managing your stress effectively is really important.