1 Week Post-Op

I’m a week out from surgery, and recovering strongly! Walking with the walker gets easier every day. My legs still feel like they are not totally awake, and I have cramping in my calves and thighs that is a challenge to control. Hopefully that will go away as the nerves heal. I’m no longer feeling tightness in my hip flexors or the pinched nerve pain in my low back. I’m taking medication to manage the pain, as well as blood thinners to break up the clot in my lung. This Monday was the first day my pain didn’t hit 10, and I spent most of the day at 3. Today my pain got down to 1!

For the next 3 weeks I have occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing visits in the home. The occupational therapist already cleared me to do all my activities of daily living myself (with tools), and the physical therapist plans to transition me from a walker to a cane next week. My first post-op appointment with my surgeon will be on January 2, so after that I’ll be able to decide on a date to reopen my practice!

My brother and sister-in-law have been super helpful caring for my pets and me. Ryan fed Kaa for the first time last night, and I think he enjoyed that! 🐍 Aubrie gave Bella a nice long brush tonight, and I know she loved that! 🐶 Rex seems quite content snuggling with me in the bed amongst all my various pillows.

I’ve been getting lots of exercise prancing back and forth through the hall like a reindeer, so that’s festive. 🦌 I’ve been balancing that with lots of rest and watching all my favorite holiday movies.

Everything does take 3 times longer to accomplish. Case in point, I started writing this post on Monday. 😬 But that’s ok! I’m on my way to feeling more safe and supported in my body, and I so appreciate you all being part of this journey.

I hope you’re finding warmth, joy, and rest this week, too.

Merry everything! 🎄☃️🎅🏼🎁💚❤️💙💛

Love,

Renée