Hi All-
First, let me echo what Jan said - everyone who is coming up for treatment - take it at your own speed! I don't for one minute know that I am extraordinarly lucky to have come through this as well as I did. I think much of speed of departure from the hospital had to do with the fact that I basically experienced no nausea and dizziness, so was able to move to solid foods very quickly - this, in turn. allowed me to get out of bed and walk. I don't think they would have let me go if I wasn't able to do these simple things.
One of the things that may have helped me is that I ate a very (boringly) healthy diet for the last week or so before surgery - no meat, limited fat, lots of veggies and whole grains. I'm a pretty healthy eater anyway, so this wasn't a huge deal - but I do think it helped. I am continuing to load up on healthy food during this initial phase of recovery, too. Of course, this also helps me to feel like I am controlling something in my world!
I really hit the wall yesterday - very tired by the end of the day. I notice that the palsy gets worse as I get tired - good to know.
Today I slept until about 8:30 (which was heaven); then Willie helped me shower and try to de-goo my hair a bit. That stuff they put on your hair is really yucky, isn't it? My other big milestone of the day was that I took a short walk out into our driveway and on our patio and even sat outside for about 20 minutes. It was a glorious sunny day in NJ and our house faces into the woods, so I could hear the birds singing and smell the fresh smells of springtime. Mom sat with me and we just had a very nice time. Gotta really cherish those moments as they come along.
Under the category of funny - I took a fairly big swig of water (from my trusty water bottle, which I have mastered) and apparently it was just a bit too much - because it shot right out of the right side of my mouth in a lovely arc. Mom and I had quite a good laugh about that!
I had a pretty good day today - took a little nap this afternoon. Willie is now preparing a lovely egg white fritatta with leeks and feta and mushrooms (yep, I told you that my appetite was coming back!) Things are smelling so good that my stomach is actually growling. Oh, and I was to be on the list for that white cheese pizza, too - that sounds like heaven!
Dr. Roland called me this morning to see how I was feeling - very nice of him. Talked a little about pain managment - I took severall half-percosets yesterday which I'd prefer not to do. He said that I could take ibuprofin now during the day, which will help with both pain and swelling. Yippee! And, I am scheduled with him this Friday morning to have all my sutures removed!!!!! Hooray! The ones in my belly are particularly hideous right now - green, yellow, bruised and swollen - revolting!
So just wondering what sorts of noises other posties have heard? I actually heard voices in my bad ear the day after surgery, but suspect it may have been the morphine. I now sometimes think I am hearing running water - which turns out to be totally "in my head." I have a general sense of "fullness" in the right side of my head - probably that darned belly fat!
Well, I am waiting to hear from NYArtist to see how his fiance did today with her surgery. Next week is another big surgery week and I intend to be right here cheering everyone on!
You guys all rock!
Debbi - stumbling around in NJ
