7/7 - Week One Post-op

It's been a week and a day since my surgery, and so far, so good (knock on wood). The first couple of

days were the worst in terms of the pain factor, but this was manageable with the meds, elevation, and icing, the latter of which did, in fact, seem to help, in spite of the casted splint serving as a barrier between the ice packs and the wound. I haven't needed the narcotics since day 3 and only took tylenol once this past week for minor pain. I still take the aspirin every day per doctor's orders to help prevent blood clotting, and I also have been taking a women's multivitamin and a Vitamin C pill everyday, which is required for the synthesis of collagen and I've read can help speed the healing process of wounds.

But the remainder of the week was the worst in terms of mental/emotional well-being. My body feels sluggish and is craving a workout. I have started to look online at adjustable weights so that I could begin an upper body routine from my bed, but am holding off until my first post-op visit with the doctor to determine how my recovery is going and what exactly I can and can't do. He made it clear not to "push it," but for someone like me who likes to be getting things done, I know I'll need more clear instructions. My husband was already frustrated with me for remaking our bed on my own - I was able to do so by resting my leg on the rolling scooter and moving around the bed to remove the sheets and then getting on the bed to make it. I legit felt able to do this, and it didn't require a lot, but I have a feeling the doctor would agree with my husband. It's just so hard to sit here and do nothing to contribute. My parents have been trying to keep up with the kids, which is tough enough for me on a GOOD day, and certainly takes a lot more out of them. I'm still trying to prevent my parents from having to run around town on errands unnecessarily, simply because they're in a higher risk group for getting Covid, so my husband is still chauffeuring the kids to their baseball practices and doing most of the grocery shopping etc. for us. Having been the primary caregiver for the past 8 years of my kiddos' lives, I know how overwhelming it can feel to go from one thing to the next for the kids, so I can only imagine the burden on my husband who is also trying to work full-time from home.

There have been some good times, where I've been able to sit with my leg propped up at the table and have dinner with the family and play some board games with the kids. My youngest cuddled in bed with me and watched "Scoob!" and we were able to have a fantastic 4th of July in spite of the town closing down its yearly amusement park festivities and fireworks show because our good friends and their kids came over for bbq, sparklers, and fun. 

But I. Am. Bored. For now, I'll have to make do with continuing to sit in bed and take advantage of some of the wonderful activity books my friend sent me in the mail, which have at least been keeping my mind active when my body can't be.

Yes, I like to swear. Swearing always helps.

#ProudNerd