Pain, Patience, and Pleasure
Pain is not pleasant. Surgery is painful. Recovery requires patience. I may have increased my pain by my impatience.
My garden is a pleasant place to be and gives me pleasure. I walked around in it as much as I could yesterday because walking is good for healing. But maybe I pushed it too much. Today I hurt. Today I have to stop being impatient.
My post op instructions tell me that I am "likely to experience new incisional pain, as well as pain you noted previous to surgery." I am. I'm not good at rating pain on a scale of 1-10, but I am told to expect a typical range of 4-6 as I heal. I have pain meds - oxyCODONE - but on the 7th day after surgery I am just beginning to get my digestive system working again, so I will not use any opioids. Tylenol is a weak substitute.
These recent photos remind me that one year ago today we were celebrating our big 50-75 bash, with a garden full of friends and family.
I'll have to occupy one of my few comfortable sitting places and indulge in some pleasant memories. I'll have to work on practicing calmness.
In this year of COVID, if I have to throw away some time, this is the year to do it.
It's a good thing that anniversary and birthday were last year.
I can do this. I have before, and no doubt this won't be my last test on ageing.
Be seeing you on the web, where you remain near and dear to me.
Your pictures from your beautiful garden are so lovely. It's easy to overdo it (I know) when you're recovering from surgery. I will keep you in my thoughts as you recover. Don't forget you've got a fan club cheering you on! :-)
ReplyDeleteI can never do that 1 to 10 pain thing either. I am sorry the Tylenol are not doing the job but admire you for steering clear of the opioids. Enjoy your beautiful garden and just try not to push it. Prayers, thoughts and hugs coming your way.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is beautiful! Slow down ...you want a successful surgery outcome...yes those pain pills are a pain in the butt...and stop all pooping. You have to take stool softners and some kind of laxative to even get normal again. I was hoping your pain would be less after the surgery...some people notice improvement right away. Hang in there you can do this!
ReplyDeleteI think that beautiful garden surrounding you must be a source of solace. Pain is a fact of life sometimes but it sounds as though you have an ability to deal with it -- without relying on opioids. I am sure they have a place but they scare me. You will get though. Healing thoughts coming your way.
ReplyDeleteThere's a fine balance in what is enough or too much.
ReplyDeleteYour gardens are so beautiful and a great place for healing and resting and gentle walking.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. You CAN do this! You are not throwing away time, you are doing something very important - healing! Maybe you could find a good book to read or start a new series on Netflix. Something that will allow you to rest but keep your mind occupied. I'm keeping you in my thoughts!
ReplyDeleteSending you warm and healing thoughts from Hawaii. You will soon be up and about, better than before. I look forward to your posts of beauty.
ReplyDeleteaging and patience is a never ending curriculum until we graduate...sorry to hear of your pain but you are alive if not maybe kicking yet. GET WELL SOON. Hugs-Lin
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that the pain isn't managed with the Tylenol. As others have said, your gardens are a beautiful place to rest, relax, and heal. Take care!
ReplyDeleteAfter a surgery I had, nothing as invasive as yours, the dr told me I could go out and do anything I wanted to do. I jokingly said can I plow the back forty? Sure if you feel like it. What he didn't say was that I wouldn't feel like doing anything for about 5 weeks. ha... Patience is a good thing when you are trying to recover. I hate those opiods. I couldn't take them. They made me off kilter and I felt worse taking them. ugh... Do take care. Enjoy your previous hard work in the garden.
ReplyDeleteOh patience---ick. There are things to do and places to go and I have to havee patience--haha. You will do it because you must.
ReplyDeletePeace and enjoy sitting in your gardens and maybe with a notebook and write down things you may want to do in the garden next Spring
MB
I'm sorry for your pain. I have zero patience and always overdo it after getting an injection for my back pain. You do have such a beautiful place to relax and rest in while trying to be patient. :) That second picture with all the pink flowers is gorgeous! You deserve a rest. I never take the pain medication either...just Tylenol, or maybe Advil. Take it easy.
ReplyDeleteThe blue flowers (hydrangeas) are the best in the hot weather of summer. I am so glad you understand patience. Can you cut the opioid pill in half? Pain can really wear on a body.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you are in pain. I am in pain, too. Great minds think alike.
ReplyDeleteGlad you took the pills. Yes you will be groggy for a while but give your body time to heal!!
ReplyDelete