One month since surgery; recovery in progress

Ups and downs continue in this long recovery process. It is often 2 steps forward one step back. Sometimes the slide back could be because I've done a little too much, other times it has more to do with constipation, hydration or something else that is unknown but a part of the deep physical healing. The scar is well healed now with no scabbing left. I still follow a strict regimen of eating (extra food prep and shopping), hydrating, taking pills and supplements, checking blood sugar, resting with feet and head up above the heart and exercising to regain strength. I keep a log daily.

Fun activities I've enjoyed in the last few weeks since posting include the Paul McCartney concert; possibly the best concert I've ever been to. We got there and left early, avoiding the crowds and I sat pretty still not dancing and standing. It was difficult for me physically but worth it. The next week I was delighted with fresh crab from one of Peters crabbing trips on the boat.  He went out with his daughter Lauren and her boyfriend. I am still unable to take the movement of being on the boat. He has also had several fishing trips catching salmon that we've been enjoying for dinner.
Last weekend I went to Westport with Peter who went fishing. I was able to sit in the back seat with my feel propped up into the front seat. I prevented my ankles from swelling that way and my abs felt more relaxed. I loved visiting the ocean and walking slowly in the surf barefooted. I've loved the ocean since I was a child.
My mom completed a DVD of my childhood and gave it to me to watch this last month. It is fun and there are lots of pictures of all of us at the beach. It is fun to see the whole family in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. Wow!
I had several CDSA meetings and visited the office. It was fun to see everyone. I miss my co-workers, board members and the CDSA community so much! After 21 years at CDSA it is very different for me not to be going in every day. My short term disability leave goes through September.
I went to a Mariners game (walked slowly to my seat, stayed there while Peter got us food and left early before the crowds). They lost of course but we had great seats, 4 rows up, by third base.
I've been doing a little gardening most days and my yard is colorful.
I've visited or been visited by my parents, my son, daughter, brother and his family, sister-in-law and her family, girlfriends; Sally, Louise, Molly, Rhonda, Maile and Wendy. Had many emails,  phone calls and cards from other family members and friends.
I've cleaned out 2 closets and taken bins to consignment stores (didn't lift them all by myself) and donated several sacks of good household and clothes items. This clearing out and simplifying actually cheers me up and is something I can do that is not too challenging physically. I'm going to make it through all my closets and the garage eventually.

In discussing challenges it is good to note that my recovery is too far along for some of the most dangerous  problems to occur. For instance I shouldn't now develop an abscess or most types of infections and nothing internally should rupture or tear causing internal bleeding. Inflammation and some fluid retention remains and increased pain at times can be from gas and bloating in the abdomen. Bending over to pick things up, turning or twisting, lifting anything even slightly heavy, walking up stairs and a host of other activities are still uncomfortable or not possible. I have been doing a little driving since I've been off the Oxycodone during the day. I am down to sometimes needing one at night. I take Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours. By 8 pm the accumulation of the days efforts often leaves me in enough pain that I want to take an Oxycodone. I could do less and rest more and perhaps I could lessen the evening pain. I find that even though I have great books, CD's and DVD's I am impatient to get up and get going. I'm glad that one of my good qualities is that I have a lot of energy and stamina. At times like this I really have to watch my natural instinct to go, go, go. I've had some dizzy spells and low blood sugar episodes but am getting better as my blood level increases. Just two weeks ago I was only at a blood level of 28 (normal is 36). A few days later when we did labs again I was already to 30 and I'm sure now I'm closer to normal. I'm taking iron and vitamin C now to help it absorb. That is one of the building blocks to make hemoglobin (blood). I lost a lot of blood in the surgery but didn't require a blood transfusion (the norm is to give a transfusion if you get down to the 20-21 range). That is why now I must build my blood level back up. The labs also showed increased liver function, although of course they show up as abnormal given the surgery. My liver is regenerating and everything else in my abdomen seems to be making changes and feels different of course than before surgery. I have a tight, full, hard feeling that is uncomfortable both around the scar and in the abdominal region in general.  It is hard to describe. I found out that a piece of film/mesh was put in and left in to help guard against bowel obstruction and to keep things from adhering to each other that should not prior to the next surgery. This should make the next surgery scheduled for November 8th easier but may be causing soreness now. I noticed I'm about the same weight that I was prior to the surgery. I think I've lost some weight in my arms and legs but that the abdomen is larger and heavier. I'll ask about that in my next appointment.

I have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Pommier for August 19th. We'll look into the areas where I still have pain and make sure everything is healing correctly.  I have questions about the timing of the next surgery and whether it needs to be earlier. I have questions about the removal of the spleen and the next surgery. I have to have 3 injections/inoculations prior to the Nov 8 surgery and will need boosters of these antibodies indefinitely after the spleen is removed. These are for serious diseases that the spleen protects us from. My next 28 day Octreotide injection is on August 22. I'll probably get the inoculations on the same day.

Fun activities coming up include a visit with my girlfriend Shari in Hood River; and Becky and Jean in Tacoma and Lacey;  my Dads 79th birthday dinner at Flying Squirrel Pizza this Friday; restorative yoga classes; lap swimming (to begin soon I hope); our (Peter and I) 10th anniversary trip August 10th to Cannon Beach; a wedding reception and b-day party for friends,  an annual family reunion at Mason Lake in Shelton on August 18; a trip to Astoria following the Portland Dr. appointment on the 19th; and last but not least I hope to be able to go out on the boat by the end of August. I'm positive that all of this will be preparing me for that second surgery. :-) I hope everyone reading this is having a wonderful summer. Our weather has been glorious. Life is such a joy!


Education is not a preparation for life, it is life itself. - John Dewey (I am learning a lot about myself)

When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not. - Mark Twain

Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm. - Augustine Birrell