Day 9 - Checking In

It is hard to say how I am doing right now.  There are definitely chunks of time where I'm pretty good.  Then I cycle through times feeling completely horrible.  There are also separate categories to my struggles.

The Back
The Stomach
The Emotions

So how is my back doing?  Generally quite well.  I have found that as long as I keep up the pain pills and take them ON TIME, I almost can't complain.  Yes it feels stiff and needing to heal, but it is not impossible.  Now... if the pills come a little too late, then look out.  The pain is so intense and crushing.  The only way to explain it is rather simple:  it feels as if someone cut me wide open and drilled right into the bones, which is exactly what happened.

How is my stomach doing?  Why are we even talking about my stomach, you ask?  Well Mr. Digestive System has decided not to cooperate with this whole recovery thing.  The narcotics I am taking are famous for having some lovely side effects that I am experiencing full force.  My belly is ballooned out so that even my sloppy pajama pants are fitting tightly.  It is constantly crampy and robbing me of any appetite.  I'm having terrible heartburn from being so backed up.  This should all work itself out eventually, but I am running out of patience at this point.  

Emotionally... well, after going back and forth with the other 2 issues, the emotions are close to the surface.  I tire so easily and sleep A LOT throughout the day.  At night I wake from nightmares that I am literally screwed into the bed.  The rest of the time I have NOTHING to do.  TV and internet are so mindless and unsatisfying.  I haven't been able to read yet, but I do have a huge stack of books waiting.  It's just difficult to see all that needs to be done, see Jason running around exhausted, and have to sit there with nothing I can do about it.


******* Warning, slightly gross picture below.  Do not proceed if you are easily freaked out *******




I went to my family doctor yesterday to have her check on me and the incision.  I got all the bandaging removed and Jason sneaked a quick picture.  She cleaned it up and patched up a few places again.  Hopefully that will heal up completely in the next week or so and allow me 3 glorious benefits:  showering, comfortably sitting or laying against it, and be able to wear real clothes again (right now it rubs too much to wear a bra strap across there.)

The entire outing, however, was a little draining.  Shortly after coming home again I nearly passed out.  Still not sure why, but it was certainly the most activity I've had in a while.  Jason had to go to a parent meeting down at the school, so my sweet visiting teacher came over to be an extra set of hands with me and the kids.  She helped them finish up dinner and then did all our dishes.  Most of all, it was nice to visit with a friend.  I am truly blessed.