Yesterday was the four week mark since surgery. Although it is nice to be home and feeling a bit better each day, it is also the slowest recovery I've experienced. I just want to feel better, stronger, more peppy and energized.
My little progress notes are written to my future self, to help me gauge some progress.
So, what are you doing well at this point, Diane?
I can use the bathroom, shower, make the bed, get dressed, do laundry, wash dishes, put away dishes (though this is hard), make a main dish for dinner (this is taxing), get in the car and travel with some discomfort, sit on regular benches and chairs, use handicapped toilets in public places. I've spent time outside the home at The Wild Hare, Studio 103, driving around Canby, Happy Knits, The Barley Mill, Rolling Hills Songwriter's night.
What is difficult for you to do, at this point?
To stand for any length of time, to sit on a hard chair for any length of time, to engage in a conversation that requires long times of listening to the other person.
So, it is clear to me that doing any one thing for an extended period of time is hard.
Yes.
So, your stamina is there, but not 100%.
Yes.
And I feel an underlying shakiness, unsteadiness, lack of vigor, even when at rest.
Ok, well, let's check in again in a week's time! Remember to take your pain meds regularly, to rest, to do your exercises and to be kind to yourself!
Post Script
After writing the above entry I walked down to The Place to Be Cafe with Kenzie. We had lunch of roasted veggie panini, orzo & lentil soup, tomato & basil soup, kettle chips and wildberry Italian soda.
It was a great walk, no pain, no fatigue! The distance to and from was 7 blocks!
