Saturday, November 19, 2011

Ups & Downs of Parental Post-Op

I've been tired and grouchy with having to re-grow bone and all. I was thinking about how nice it would be to heal without kids around. How much more rest I'd get. How quiet the house would be. How there wouldn't be any toys to trip over while hopping on one foot with terrible balance. Wondering if I'd feel less guilty about my pain without having to worry if the kids were fed or Riley pottied before nap, etc. You get the picture.

Then I thought about how I powered through the check list to get the heck out of the hospital and back to the kids. I thought about how I haven't taken more than an extra strength Tylenol since the day after surgery. Partly because after 20 surgeries my pain tolerance is impressive, but also due to the distraction and entertainment the kids provide.

Speaking of distraction, my post-op depression lasted about 72hrs this time compared to months with the spinal fusion. I haven't lost any noticeable weight this time either despite 3 days of (gag) hospital food. I'm busy enough not to mope, but not too busy to eat.

It's so helpful to have other things to focus on besides my recovery. I've been really feeling the whole I have a break in the most major bone in the body today. I got out for an hour this morning and spent the rest of the day in bed. I napped and iced it, but I also had conversations with the kids. I listened to them laugh and play in the backyard with Mike while I read a book. It was a downer day pain wise, but not a bad day at all in general.

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