Good morning buddies!

Just a quick note this morning to let you all know I am thinking of you, and hoping you all have a wonderful day!

In this journey we are all on, we often tend to be very hard on ourselves, and judge ourselves so harshly. In the end, how does this serve us? It really doesn't. If anything, it sets us back. So, today, I want to suggest an activity for all of us to engage in. It will only take a few minutes, but is a good step to take. This applies to those who have not yet had surgery as well.

Find a quiet space for just a few minutes. Turn off all of your self judging thoughts. Mentally, embrace yourself with a big tight hug, because we all need those. Now, scan your mind for a moment. Think of all of the positive actions and choices you have taken in the past week. Even the little things. DO NOT let your mind wander off to what could have been better or what you should have also done. Just focus on what you did do. Acknowledge your accomplishments, praise yourself for them. Enjoy the good feelings of knowing that you took those actions to do good things for yourself or others. Allow yourself to feel great about these things. Believe it or not, when you take a moment to do this exercise it can really lift your spirits and set a good tone for your day. It will also serve as an encourager for you to accomplish yet another good step in the right direction.

Remember, it doesn't matter how big or small these accomplishments were / are they are all great and all serve to move us forward in our journey. Enjoy the good feelings of all you have done!

Have a wonderful day my friends / extended family! Feel free to share your thoughts if you'd like!

Hi Patrece: I just joined but it has been almost 4 weeks since my surgery. I still have some abdominal pain- mostly when I drive- at the bigger incision site... but there are moments that I have to remind myself that I actually had the surgery! So far things are going well... though it took me about 10 hours to make it home from NC to PA.

It was quite comforting to know that there are people out there to talk to... I hope to keep in touch. Tomorrow it is back to work! Any ideas how to make the transition back and how to deal with the muscular pain at my incision site(the big one.) Any ideas will be greatly welcome. I am a therapist.... LOL.

Hello Annmarie! Welcome to our group! So glad you joined us here!
Sounds like you had a very long drive for so early out. Kathy did the same, but think her muscles are feeling a bit better than yours. I was like you, I had that sore spot. It bothered me for several weeks. I tried to support the area by putting mild pressure there with my hand. I also tried to not sit up tooo straight, as that seems to create a fold right at that incision area, and I think it irritates it alot. Try leaning your seat back a bit to relieve some of that additional pressure. Another thing that can help is to apply heat to the area. It helps the bruising heal quicker. (this is only after 24 hrs after bruising occurs, which it has been way more than that for you).
Seems like they are rushing you back to work a bit. Would be better if you had 2 more weeks before you had to return. it is recommended you take 6 weeks off. Just take it very easy, take lots of small walks, and don't sit for too long at a time. Sip sip sip tha****er alllll day! And get your meals in when you are supposed to.  Don't want to see you get dehydrated or suffer nutritionally.
If it is possible, try not to put in full days for the next couple of weeks. You really do still need some more healing time.
Hugs and welcome!

Wow, what a cool exercise.  My thoughts included, driving past all the fast food choices and heading home to cook up a quick high protein snack, getting to the gym everyday for some treadmill time, sending good thought to my friends here at buddies and inviting new members to be my friends.  Getting my fluids and protein in every day.  And cleaning over-sized clothes out of my part of the closet, yeeehawwwww.

Thought for today...... The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.  Live isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.  Let's all dance today, rain, snow, wind, whatever.  Get up and just move your bodies.  Go Buddies.

Hugs, Kathy

Ohhh Kathy! I love it! Great job!
Hugs and Love!

hey, your pictures sure look great.  looking very pretty with you angel.  Keep up the good work.

Thank you Annie Lou! I love that little lady so much. She can make anyone look good...lol.
thanks for the compliment, I am trying hard to continue my loss and following the rules!
You are doing awesome too! Look at you gooooo girl!