Twilight Sleep

​Dear anesthesiologist:  When I tell you that I have a high tolerance for whatever “twilight sleep” medication you are going to give me, pay freaking attention. No, I’m not a doctor or telling you how to do your job. But this is FAR from my first rodeo, and know how my body works. Instead of assuming I don’t know what I’m talking about, note my reaction to your first push. See that I’m fully awake and probably beginning to hyperventilate, having felt the medicine go in but to no effect. So keep cranking that stuff up until I get to where I’m supposed to be. If I’m able to carry on a conversation with you, particularly one involving how I’m in pain and not at all relaxed, chances are there aren’t enough meds on board, I get it; you don’t want to OD me, but if I sound like I’m about to get up from the operating table and rip your scrotum off, I’m probably not near to an overdose.  Okay?