BACK TO WORK

I started back to work yesterday and am thankful that it is a short week. I knew that the two weeks was as much as I was able to take off due to staffing issues, but I could have done with one more. I was in bed at 6 p.m. after I got home and had a restless night. Healing takes energy. I had a complication after surgery and my hemoglobin when from 140 to 89. When I was tested a week ago, it had gone back up to 114. I need to learn to give myself a break and understand that although some come home from the hospital and start on the treadmill, others, such as myself, walked to the bathroom and went back to bed winded. Physically, I have no pain and my incisions are healing well. I have had no trouble with the second stage and am drinking all of my liquids plus Skyr yogurt and unsweetened apple sauce as my two snacks. I've lost 14 lbs. since surgery and I know a few inches (will measure at 4 weeks). All vitamins are also going down without difficulty. Other than awaiting an energy surge, I'm doing extremely well and continue to be very thankful to be on this journey. Can hardly wait for sunshine and some warmer temperatures. Like Sonja, I'm always cold. I think my husband is going to build a berm in our bed to keep me on my side.

Thank you for sharing this. I was really confused about how much time to take and what to do.

Originally I planned to only take off 2 weeks - but I have 4 full weeks I can take, and I think that I might take advantage of that.

Oh wow, I can't imagine having to work at 2 weeks post op. I still had pain with movement and was exhausted all the time. I hope you have a desk type job where you don't have to move around a lot. Don't forget you can't lift anything.

Congrats on the weight loss; that's great! I'm 10 weeks out tomorrow and am still cold almost all the time.

Good luck with work!

I have a desk job - some of the time. I operate a business service/courier shipping centre so I am hopping most of the time. When a parcel comes in, I scan it and ask the customer to put it on the cart for me. For pick-up, I do my best Vanna White impression and point it out for them to lift it so I can scan it and deliver it to them. We can all do what we have to do, but that is often not what we would prefer to do. My daughter is having Easter dinner, so I will help her cook in advance, pour my protein drink into a wine glass, and sit with my grandson downstairs while everyone has their dinner. Getting stronger by the day. All is good, albeit chilly.

Thanks Kathy. Wishing you continued progress.

Hey Linda,

Take it easy and don't lift anything too heavy. My blood was never rechecked after leaving the hospital...i assume it's fine since I had energy pretty quick after coming home. I also had two blood transfusions while in hospital to boost up my levels.

That's a shame about you missing out on Easter dinner...soon enough you will be enjoying a nice meal. It happens sooner then you think.

I will email you a longer message soon,

Glad you are well though..

Laura

sounds like you are recovering. I can relate to the Easter dinner. I cooked thanksgiving dinner 5 days post op. I ended up pureeing some of the turkey and vegetables with some bouillon and having a delicious turkey soup with a protein powder kicker. it allowed me to participate in the holiday meal while staying on plan post op.

The pureed soup is something I can do. I've decided not to tell everyone about my surgery - especially some family members who would rather not be educated about the process, but would just choose to add it to their Facebook post. I find friends - the family I've chosen to be in my life far more supportive, encouraging and knowledgeable than those who are related by blood. Everyone is different. My father and in-laws would have their pompoms locked and loaded; my own siblings and siblings in-law not so much. After all, isn't this taking the easy way out? (lol). I'm just going to plead an upset stomach and truly won't be missing the meal. I'll enjoy the turkey carcass soup - as my husband calls it, the next day. Sounds delicious.

Oh I'm sorry you can't rely on everyone in your family for support. That sucks

:(

you will enjoy the turkey carcass soup though! Mine was liquid gold at the time :)

Thanks, but no worries. Happiness really does come from within and as my girlfriend of almost 40 years tells me, "They aren't going to change, so why would you expect any difference?" Sometimes acceptance is the best medicine.

I appreciate your comments - many thanks.

Agree.