Finally Another Update

After dealing with headaches close to migraines and nausia, I'm finally able to function again and do things such as update this blog. We think it was the new meds (the mild narcotic) that the docs moved me to that was causing the headaches. After cutting down on those and incorporating more Tylenol into the routine, I seem to be doing better. I still feel sick in the morning, but there seems to be nothing to remedy that situation.

I still can't sit up for more than about 1o minutes (sometimes I can go a little longer depending on the chair) and my back and particularly my shoulder blade area is in a lot of pain still. Every day I try to walk a mile, though not all at once. It's been cold out but thankfully we purchased a treadmill on really good sale last year in anticipation of my recovery. I also try to stretch often since my left arm had lost a lot of its mobility (just need to strengthen those muscles as they recover from whatever trauma they were put through). My arm is getting better as far as reaching up, now I have to practice going backwards...not sure how to do that though.

Yesterday was also a milestone in that I went out into the real world for over an hour. Jonathan drove me downtown to the Citadel so I could speak a certain professor regarding his upcoming class, and then we went to the grocery store for a quick trip. I was excited cuz I finally got to use my handicap tag at the Citadel but, sheesh, it was more of a hike from there than from the regular parking lot. The Citadel doors are so heavy though so I need to enter through the handicap alley just for the automatic door openers. The Citadel tired me out so at the grocery store I used my walker. I feel like such an old lady when I use it but it gives me something to lean on and it keeps people from bumping into me. We used my car yesterday rather than Jonathan's CR-V, and I find it much easier to get into (might have something to do with the leather seats), getting out takes a few minutes but with more practice we'll get it figured out soon enough.

Jonathan's mom leaves today. She has been a huge help for us both. I can't believe that the hospital pamphlets suggest having something with you for 1-2 weeks after surgery. There is no way I could have made it alone after 2 weeks. Everything tires me out and then when I was having those horrible headaches and sickness I couldn't do anything! My mother will be returning late Thursday and staying for a week in order to help me make the house "Jennifer" accessible. After that, I'm on my own.

My 6-week anniversary (can you call it that?) is coming up in a few days. That is supposed to be some sort of landmark but I can't remember why. Maybe because it's the first post-op doctor visit? Maybe I'll learn then.