history: When I defended my thesis, I wasn't completely prepared but I knew my research perfectly.  I wasn't worried despite having three days to prep and having a raging ear infection.  I defended my thesis last year_comma_ with a raging ear infection.
current: You must have been in so much pain. How did you manage to endure it?
next: Lots of Advil.  Thankfully, my adviser had prepared me really well.  I wasn't even nervous.