Ups and Downs Each Day

Sorry for missing yesterday. It was an up and down day. Overall, I'm much improved. I can manage many more tasks for myself -- probably too many. Kurt reminds me often that I shouldn't be cleaning the dishes off the table or reaching for something in the cabinet.

Kurt sure has been a gift in my recovery. He moved a tall table in by the bed so I can keep the things I need easily accessible. He keeps a clear path on the floor so I don't trip over anything. He helps me change the dressing on my incision site twice a day. He helped me develop a schedule for all my medications so I don't miss any. It's all the little things -- and he thinks of them all.

Thanks to Vickie Hankins. She brought over a wonderful chicken & rice dish and a carrot cake so we could celebrate Kurt's birthday last night! I do have my appetite back now. I'm grateful for this sign of recovery, but am fearful of the consequences. Everything tastes so good now. Before the surgery, I had pretty much stopped eating.

The signs of recovery are good. I'm still having pain at the incision site, and an ache in my lower back -- but overall, the pain is much better. I'm finally able to sleep the whole night. That feels wonderful. I do still have some of the pain in my right foot -- and my left thigh is still numb, but it is SOOO much better than it was before the surgery.

In the mornings, I feel good enough to run a race -- but a few hours into the day, I'm slowing noticeably. I have been very faithful about using my back brace -- it actually feels better with it on, but sitting is uncomfortable. I haven't left the house yet, and don't feel in a hurry to get in the car. The trip home from the hospital was misery enough for a while.

Kurt and I agreed last night that the surgery really was a good decision for me. Even now, I am better than I was before surgery. The days do have ups and downs, but we are looking forward to more ups. Today, I'll be calling the doctor to schedule my first follow-up visit. He said I'll see him around 2 weeks post-op. If everything is coming along, he'll take the staples out. I have 26. Elizabeth counted them for me!