have you heard those horror stories about people who get only part of an anesthesia, and have paralyzed muscles but remain fully aware, feeling every slice of a c-section or amputation without any ability to react? it was like that.

not nearly so dramatic, of course, nor so painful. i could hear everyone bustling around the house, had completely awakened and wanted to get up, but my body refused. for fully half an hour i struggled with half-sleep, my mind racing but my muscles dead to the world.

i never quite shook the feeling; all day today, i've been lethargic and woozy. i didn't feel hungry at dinner, and though i slid through a modified version of my yoga routine with little trouble, i gripped the handrail tightly all the way up my stairs and didn't fall.