Saturday, July 18, 2009

Lessons Learned while "Getting Better Soon."


Now that I am feeling better and have a clear head I thought I would write about my experiences this past week. Most of you who read my blog know that last Friday I had hernia repair surgery. I thought it would be an easy procedure and an easy recovery. Never having had surgery before my biggest fear was undergoing anesthesia. The surgery went well and eight days later I can say that each day is better than the one before...but easy? No, definitely not easy. But I don't want to write about that. I just want to write about a few lessons learned this past week.
1. When a surgeon tells you: "You'll be down for about two days then you can resume normal activity." Don't believe him...unless your normal activity consists of resting all day on the sofa, being waited on hand and foot, and only getting up to go to the bathroom.
2. Never take your health for granted. All week I stared at a pile of laundry and wished I could sit up long enough to fold it.
3. Sometimes God wants you to be still. Sometimes God wants you to be alone.
4. Friends are awesome! Heaven sent meals appeared every day and flowers and cards and well-wishes and phone calls.
5. The human body is weird and amazing! I am in awe of our capacity to heal but am completely baffled by the goose-bumps that have been appearing on my right thigh in five minute intervals. My husband and friends assure me it isn't anything to worry about.
6. I will never have voluntary surgery!
7. My husband is the most wonderful man on the face of this earth! Our marriage definitely reached a new level when I asked him to grab the olive oil and help me remove the bandage that was permanently adhered to my "inguinal" area. TMI? Sorry.
8. There really is NOTHING good on television!
9. You always have a choice. No matter what the situation you have the power to choose how you are going to handle it. You can complain, mope, and pout or you can accept it for what it is and look for the blessings in the situation. I found that when I was forced to be still and alone after I quite complaining and feeling sorry for myself it didn't take much to look around and feel overwhelmingly blessed and loved.
10. Convalescence provides a great opportunity to write "Thank You" cards to all the beautiful people who helped see you through the hard times.

4 comments:

Katherine said...

Those are wonderful lessons, and I appreciate them!
And that photo is beautiful too!
Get MORE Well Soon!

Memories Of Mine said...

Wonderful lessons. From your post I have learned that a sense of humor is very important factor in recovery.

My hematologist wanted me to have my spleen out. He said it's a 6 week bed rest and recovery period. I said to him I'm very booked out for the next 10 years can it wait. All this for a procedure that's not guaranteed to fix my problem too - Forget it.

So glad to hear that you are feeling better and that you are being well looked after by a wonderful husband and loving friends.

Jen McD said...

You have such a loving attitude. Good to hear that everyday is a little better. You make me smile ;-)

Love, Jen

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to hear you're on the mend . . . my brother had hernia surgery and I remember it was pretty difficult for him too. Loved the lessons! - Christine