From what I can remember of surgery day (Tuesday morning), it started out great - the hospital staff was wonderful (in every interaction), they loaded me with bracelets, started the IV, wheeled me in to the OR where I caught sight of a table loaded with somewhat medieval-looking surgical tools, and then it was off to dreamland! Luckily, I always have sweet dreams while anesthetized!
Aaaand... then you wake up. There's still quite a bit of strong pain medicine and anesthesia in your body, so you think, hey, maybe this isn't so bad after all! It wasn't long before I was chatting with the recovery nurse about some local trails and camping sites. And where's lunch?
Next thing, I'm in my room, enjoying some chicken soup and a lovely view of Austin Bluffs.
But the good feelings don't last for long.
There is pain, and plenty of it. The first few days can be very difficult. I had issues with the pain meds causing my BP to crash, and so I stayed an extra day in the hospital. A dear friend drove me home, and I began my week of recovery.
It's the little victories... like, making it to the bathroom before you wet yourself! Or being able to swing both legs into bed without using any aid or gadget. Sleeping through the night... and sleeping on my side - heavenly!
There can be setbacks. Once I slid a little going downstairs, and it woke up all those muscles and ligaments and nerves to the point where I was crying! I think I was more scared than anything else. Two days later, however, I was back on track, feeling pretty good.
Three days ago I started back to work. No big deal, I sit all day. Uhhhh... no. Going to get coffee, going to meetings, going to another person's office for Q&A stuff... there's a lot more moving around than I thought. Afternoon ice packs make all the difference.
But I had plenty of time to research - where to hike, what I'll need, where to camp. And Amazon Prime Video got a workout as well, with binge-watching Downton Abbey...
Through this, there was bad news. My dad was involved in a serious car crash, and has been hospitalized with some broken bones. He's in a rehab facility now, and doing better, but it was touch-and-go for a little while. He's my rock, and the thought of losing him...
Still, each day is a little better. This morning I walked Texi and didn't even realize I forgot sticks until halfway through the walk. I'm almost back to normal with household chores, and will attempt pushing a vacuum tomorrow. The plan for this Saturday is Painted Mines!
May your trails be blessed!
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