from the edge

The past few days have brought to my attention in high volume the things we take for granted giving me pause for thought.

Three days ago, I left my home for the first time since I came home from surgery on 7/18. We headed to my first post op visit where my bandage was finally removed and I was also given a green light to go outside for VERY short walks each day. Woo-hoo was how I felt as we stopped at the Whole Foods; I looked up at the sky around me before going in with my walker.

That said, I cannot get up and walk down the stairs and go out the front door unattended let alone jump in the car and drive somewhere until I am no longer using a walker and have better use of my right leg.

I gingerly stepped into the shower yesterday for the first time since 7/15, the morning of my surgery. I had to wait this long because my scar needed to dry out hence the joy about the bandage removal I spoke of above. Every hair and pore on my body sang the hallelujah chorus in silent unison as loud as they could as I bathed with someone standing outside of the shower just in case I lost my balance.

If I drop something, I cannot bend down to pick it up unless I use the wonderful tool I was given so long as the item is not heavy or too large/wide. I can no longer cross my legs. Last night as I used the step stool to help me get into bed, it tipped over; I felt the fear of dislocating my new hip. I repositioned, got situated on the edge, paused to catch my breath and found myself thinking back to when I was wheeled into recovery, thankful that I woke-up period and that I wasn’t groggy thanks to an epidural and local anesthesia. All seemed well until I realized I could not feel anything from the waist down. Though my mind told me I could wiggle my toes, none of them moved. Lying there, I remember being so very grateful that I would regain that ability within a few hours; not everyone has or will have that privilege. And that puts it all in perspective and keeps it real for me as I recuperate.

Be grateful and…

keep your peepers open!®