Getting there: These last few weeks

Hello friends & fam!

It’s been a few weeks filled with emotions--gratitude, boredom, excitement, frustration, delight, pride, annoyance, love and so much more. Mostly, I am grateful for the progress I’ve made and the overwhelming support I’ve received. 

Week 2: Taking It Slow

After being discharged from the hospital, I initially did okay, but then it all just seemed to hurt even more. I called my surgeon's office to ensure that it was totally normal to be in increasing pain. The solution was muscle relaxers, which were super helpful, especially since I moved more than the average patient at this stage. I’m was also still on most of the pain meds but working on decreasing the opioids.

Chris (as expected) was and continues to be an excellent and attentive caregiver. He navigated Tassie's return expertly, and there have not been any unexpected leaps so far!  I truly appreciated all of my visitors—especially my Hackley friends who are keeping me in the loop. I wish I could tell you more about week 2, but I really just don't remember much.

Week 3: ELIZABETH!

Ok, so you know how in my last post, I was like "who wants to hang out with me?!" I kind of expected that I would have a tag-team of folks checking in from Hackley-- but instead a beautiful angel from Virginia flew up and stayed with me. My amazing college roommate Elizabeth ditched her husband and two daughters for a week babysitting me.  She was a key player at lunchtime because, well, I can't see into the fridge. The low angle means I have to bend, and as well know-- no BLT! 

We were able to treat her to a Hackley dinner-- it was a BBQ, and I got to be a celebrity, which was a fun time. She also enjoyed Wedensday Sushi night (shoutout to Shoprite!), and an actually nice dinner at Piccola! Ya know, the restaurant where Chris and I are models and Chef Sergio always wants to have an after dinner drink with Chris.  Sergio said that he and his wife will take an overnight trip to D.C. just to eat at Maydan, so if you are in the area, you should check it out!

Elizabeth took me to see Dr. Neira for my 2-week post surgery appointment. He said that I don't *have to* use the cane anymore-- but potentially to keep it with me when Tassie is around, or other unstable situations. He did not take out the drain because it was still, well, draining. He suggested that I wear spanx to help the tissue (which is damaged from radiation) heal. So, Elizabeth and I went to Target, bought a some compression tank tops, as well as several (unrelated to surgery) dresses.  

Elizabeth and I went on walks most days, and had some lovely chats. I did a lot of sleeping (at her appropriate urging). I was basically on a toddler schedule: wake, get dressed/shower (which takes forever), activity, lunch, nap, playdate/walk, dinner, sleep.  

On her last day, we took a beautiful walk by the river! It was over 2 miles! While on the walk we were able to coordinate having my drain removed! The spanx worked! I thought I would be done with them in that moment, but instead I was told I had to wear them for the next three weeks. Nothing says summer like foundation garments!

Week 4: Beau's my babysitter!

By week 4, I noticed a significant improvement in my energy and mobility. Walking longer distances and navigating stairs has become more manageable. Chris moved me up to Rock Hill since my docs did not require that I stay local any longer. 

Beau drove up on Memorial Day Monday and tagged in as my caregiver. It was supposed to be a family affair, but Lanie was super sick and Max wasn't doing great either-- he just had tubes placed in both ears and his tummy was not quite right. Robin had pink eye, and it was just not a great time to travel for 7+ hours and hang out with me. 

Beau was able to continue to work full time because I was pretty independent as long as I had the reacher-grabber AND because of the fabulous hand-me-down fridge from the Wiseman's that has the freezer on the bottom!  Because I was doing so well, and the fam down south needed Beau more, he left on Thursday afternoon after making sure that I had showered, eaten, and taken me on a nice long walk! He was also insistent that I list out my activity plan so that I was sure not to fall or BLT. Chris will be up 24 hours later, and I am pretty confident I will be ok!

I am glad that he is back home to support Lanie and help her feel better. I hope that having him back helps the family get back to homeostasis. 

As for my current restrictions, I won’t be able to do any BLT (bending, lifting, twisting) for another two months, which is a bit of a downer. I was initially told that I can’t drive for at least six weeks, but i was also told that I can try driving short distances if I’m not on drugs. However, I’m not sure I’d be confident driving if I can’t twist to look behind me to change lanes. I feel like we will have to take this one slow. I am cleared to begin physical therapy June 24th. 

I’m improving enough that we decided to cancel Kelly's visit this week, and I’ll just go back to Tarrytown. 

I cannot express enough how much your support means to me. Every call, message, and visit has been truly delightful and uplifting. I apologize if I forgot to reply to your text -- my brain is still foggy, although it is clearing more and more! 

I am excited to return to Tarrytown and see some faculty friends before everyone scatters for their summer. LMK if you want to visit! 
XOXO