Yes, there's no doubt driving gives one independence. I think my husband will be glad to finally see me using my car so that he can get back to his. But one step at a time...
Have to say the 2 hour naps have been rather good although I've learned there's a fine line between being tired and over-tired. That's when my mind jumps around like a box of frogs and sleep is a galaxy away!
What I found in my 44year career in Physical Therapy and shared with my patients was that the body healed best with rest and that for every hour under anesthesia, the body and mind needed a month towards restoration. I, personally found that the return of "grumpiness" meant I was healing! Lol! Also, for chronic pain, 3 days relatively painfree, add one activity....however if vacuuming is your one activity, it only means one room! It's amazing what we take for granted . Standing baking can be exhausting. Taking a shower, a short trip around the garden, folding laundry, all can require rest. Yes, time is on your side. Rest well!
Golly, Susan. This is fascinating. It was a 3.5 hour op. So the three month target from the surgeon is pretty spot on, but a pity he didn't put it in those words. Nevertheless I was very lucky to have the best colorectal surgeon in the state and a lovely man to boot.
And yes, I do have had the odd grump! (Poor husband! ).
The most amazing thing in all of this is that I've been relatively pain free from the moment I woke up (maybe I might have a good pain threshhold?). I had the occasional Panadol in hospital and even less occasional since I've been home.
I'm not allowed to vacuum for at least 6 weeks (yay) or stretch above my shoulder (not so yay when you're 5'3''). DESPERATE to get back in the water (6 weeks), ballet (6 weeks) and garden (6 weeks).
A much more varied journey to health than expected! But thank you for sharing with us so we can learn from you a bit too. Watching the ballet must have been a great spirit lifter, even when you couldn't actually do the moves. I bet your body was humming with joy then.
I have a silly question: in the photo of the shearing, there are two people wearing slings hanging from the ceiling as they bend over: I assume that is to support their back, but was wondering if you could help me out with an explanation?
And thinks so very much for the link to the sheepdog trials...🐏 ❤️
Hi Sabrina, yes, the slings are to support the shearers' backs. They shear on average, 140+ sheep daily from 7.30 in the morning (30 minutes for morning and afternoon smoko and 60 minute lunch break) so the strain on their backs is huge. Plus they are going into a pen, catching a sheep in full wool and dragging it back onto the board - heavy work. The shearers often wear little sheepskin moccasins for comfort and so they don't slip on the lanolin that builds on the board from the fleeces.
I think they are amazing at what they do and sometimes, its like watching a choreographed ballet as the shearer catches a sheep, positions it, pulls the cord to start the shears, begins to shear, finishes the job, pushes the sheep down the chute and then moves smoothly back to the pen to catch another sheep. The sound of the machines is a constant burring sound and often the chaps will have a radio on - God knows why as they can't hear it!
And of course the odour of sheep is heady - it's a wonderful fragrance.
Re my health journey, varied indeed and occasional a little disconcerting and difficult but I just keep saying those mantras!
I managed two days of 7000+ steps which surprised me. We went to the cottage and I walked parts of the beach but was amazingly glad to return to the city because the irregularities of the cottage were a little hard to manage. Maybe next week...
And it was a pleasure to link to your post - I love reading about the Isle.
Oh thanks so much for explaining that. What incredible work that is! I'd love to see it sometime. We actually have a wool mattress, and the first year we had it, it smelled like what I think you are describing. I loved it, and only get a small whiff every now and again. Glad to hear you are still growing stronger, and also paying attention to the things that are a little too much for now. Keep those mantras....
Prue, it's so great to know that you're up and about and are able to do much of what you want to do. Baking! Driving! Taking a bath! 5000 steps??!! I dare say you had set the bar pretty high before you went into surgery, so I'm sure it must be hard to not get right back up there again. But, I've no doubt you will!
Thank you for sharing my lizard friends with your readers. I saw the male again yesterday and nearby a little juvenile about 1/4th his size. I've learned that the young of this species look almost identical to our more common five-lined skinks, so I'm telling myself that it was a new hatchling from the nest of "my pair." Storytelling is fun, isn't it? 😅
How's your novel-crafting coming? Have energy levels allowed you to get words out of your head yet?
But of course! You have to have a backstory for the skinks. It's a human fault of great joy, isn't it, that we attribute a 'story' to animals? Good for the imagination.
In respect of my novel, it plays out every time my head hits the pillow - more and more scenes filling sequentially. It's odd how the creative side is strongest under duress. I might write a post about it one day...
Interesting, the thought that our imaginations are strongest under duress. As I'm not a novel-writer, my storytelling fixates on of all that's unsettled in my life. Oh, the drama I can manufacture in my mind. I never thought of it as "creative energy" until now and am absolutely going to use that to reframe it. Brilliant!
'Time is your friend.' Such wise, wise words, Prue. Some in my circle who have had surgery in the last few months (or are indeed awaiting it) would (and will!) do well to take heed!
You're doing such a great job, dear Prue! I'm behind on my reading (as you can see!) but I'm so, so pleased to read this latest update of your recovery progress before your next post lands! I hope you've had a really good week.
(I adore the picture of you at the wheel of the car - a lovely smile!) xxx
Late to the party here but thinking of you many times! I am not a napper either but if you CAN, do - the very few times I've managed it, I've been shocked at how restored I feel. Six weeks will fly by and soon you'll be re-set and ready. Lots of hot tea and cake as you wait xo
Wise words about time. Whenever I've had to endure surgery my intention for everyday of healing was Patience.
(Now that I'm learning a new software I'm leaning on this intention again. Hehe.)
Glad you are driving-- that always seems to be a metaphor for independence.
Yes, there's no doubt driving gives one independence. I think my husband will be glad to finally see me using my car so that he can get back to his. But one step at a time...
Time is our friend if only we allow it to be.
Driving after 3 weeks seems like a good sign of healing. And 2 hour naps what a delight, a new skill which I’m sure in its place will serve you well.
So true, Kate and I was perceiving it wrongly.
Have to say the 2 hour naps have been rather good although I've learned there's a fine line between being tired and over-tired. That's when my mind jumps around like a box of frogs and sleep is a galaxy away!
Onwards though, one step at a time...
Seems like this has been quite the learning experience for you.
What I found in my 44year career in Physical Therapy and shared with my patients was that the body healed best with rest and that for every hour under anesthesia, the body and mind needed a month towards restoration. I, personally found that the return of "grumpiness" meant I was healing! Lol! Also, for chronic pain, 3 days relatively painfree, add one activity....however if vacuuming is your one activity, it only means one room! It's amazing what we take for granted . Standing baking can be exhausting. Taking a shower, a short trip around the garden, folding laundry, all can require rest. Yes, time is on your side. Rest well!
Golly, Susan. This is fascinating. It was a 3.5 hour op. So the three month target from the surgeon is pretty spot on, but a pity he didn't put it in those words. Nevertheless I was very lucky to have the best colorectal surgeon in the state and a lovely man to boot.
And yes, I do have had the odd grump! (Poor husband! ).
The most amazing thing in all of this is that I've been relatively pain free from the moment I woke up (maybe I might have a good pain threshhold?). I had the occasional Panadol in hospital and even less occasional since I've been home.
I'm not allowed to vacuum for at least 6 weeks (yay) or stretch above my shoulder (not so yay when you're 5'3''). DESPERATE to get back in the water (6 weeks), ballet (6 weeks) and garden (6 weeks).
One step at a time and time is my friend...
One step at a time. You’re doing well! Hugs my dear. 🤗🤗😘
Thank you, Beth!
A much more varied journey to health than expected! But thank you for sharing with us so we can learn from you a bit too. Watching the ballet must have been a great spirit lifter, even when you couldn't actually do the moves. I bet your body was humming with joy then.
I have a silly question: in the photo of the shearing, there are two people wearing slings hanging from the ceiling as they bend over: I assume that is to support their back, but was wondering if you could help me out with an explanation?
And thinks so very much for the link to the sheepdog trials...🐏 ❤️
Hi Sabrina, yes, the slings are to support the shearers' backs. They shear on average, 140+ sheep daily from 7.30 in the morning (30 minutes for morning and afternoon smoko and 60 minute lunch break) so the strain on their backs is huge. Plus they are going into a pen, catching a sheep in full wool and dragging it back onto the board - heavy work. The shearers often wear little sheepskin moccasins for comfort and so they don't slip on the lanolin that builds on the board from the fleeces.
I think they are amazing at what they do and sometimes, its like watching a choreographed ballet as the shearer catches a sheep, positions it, pulls the cord to start the shears, begins to shear, finishes the job, pushes the sheep down the chute and then moves smoothly back to the pen to catch another sheep. The sound of the machines is a constant burring sound and often the chaps will have a radio on - God knows why as they can't hear it!
And of course the odour of sheep is heady - it's a wonderful fragrance.
Re my health journey, varied indeed and occasional a little disconcerting and difficult but I just keep saying those mantras!
I managed two days of 7000+ steps which surprised me. We went to the cottage and I walked parts of the beach but was amazingly glad to return to the city because the irregularities of the cottage were a little hard to manage. Maybe next week...
And it was a pleasure to link to your post - I love reading about the Isle.
Oh thanks so much for explaining that. What incredible work that is! I'd love to see it sometime. We actually have a wool mattress, and the first year we had it, it smelled like what I think you are describing. I loved it, and only get a small whiff every now and again. Glad to hear you are still growing stronger, and also paying attention to the things that are a little too much for now. Keep those mantras....
Prue, it's so great to know that you're up and about and are able to do much of what you want to do. Baking! Driving! Taking a bath! 5000 steps??!! I dare say you had set the bar pretty high before you went into surgery, so I'm sure it must be hard to not get right back up there again. But, I've no doubt you will!
Thank you for sharing my lizard friends with your readers. I saw the male again yesterday and nearby a little juvenile about 1/4th his size. I've learned that the young of this species look almost identical to our more common five-lined skinks, so I'm telling myself that it was a new hatchling from the nest of "my pair." Storytelling is fun, isn't it? 😅
How's your novel-crafting coming? Have energy levels allowed you to get words out of your head yet?
But of course! You have to have a backstory for the skinks. It's a human fault of great joy, isn't it, that we attribute a 'story' to animals? Good for the imagination.
In respect of my novel, it plays out every time my head hits the pillow - more and more scenes filling sequentially. It's odd how the creative side is strongest under duress. I might write a post about it one day...
Interesting, the thought that our imaginations are strongest under duress. As I'm not a novel-writer, my storytelling fixates on of all that's unsettled in my life. Oh, the drama I can manufacture in my mind. I never thought of it as "creative energy" until now and am absolutely going to use that to reframe it. Brilliant!
'Time is your friend.' Such wise, wise words, Prue. Some in my circle who have had surgery in the last few months (or are indeed awaiting it) would (and will!) do well to take heed!
You're doing such a great job, dear Prue! I'm behind on my reading (as you can see!) but I'm so, so pleased to read this latest update of your recovery progress before your next post lands! I hope you've had a really good week.
(I adore the picture of you at the wheel of the car - a lovely smile!) xxx
Late to the party here but thinking of you many times! I am not a napper either but if you CAN, do - the very few times I've managed it, I've been shocked at how restored I feel. Six weeks will fly by and soon you'll be re-set and ready. Lots of hot tea and cake as you wait xo
Yesterday hit me like a steam train. It was an eye opener!