Oh Well…

Didn’t realize it has been a week since I last posted. I feel like I wrote at least 2 or 3 updates over the past week, but guess I never actually got them down on paper (or computer screen). Well, this one is getting done. I haven’t been “busy” the past week, just a little pre-occupied. My mom left on Tuesday, so I’ve been officially been on my own since Tuesday afternoon – however, Pat decided to work from home on Wednesday and I spent 5 hours at doctor’s appoints and out gallivanting on Thursday, so I guess I really haven’t been “on my own” just yet. And the way things are looking between out of town guests and Pat’s schedule, I won’t really have to find out what I can and can’t do when I’m by myself for another couple of weeks. I’m not complaining.

I did have a few hours to myself here and there and they were OK. I’ve managed to get my own breakfast and carry it to the table without falling or dropping anything and that’s an accomplishment. And I’ve been able to keep up with beverages so no danger of dehydration either. All in all, pretty successful. My upstairs neighbor also noticed I hadn’t been outside for a few days so now she knocks on my door once a day to take me for my daily constitutional around the neighborhood. I’m really grateful for the exercise and the company. I am lucky to have so many people watching out for me.

Now onto the not so great news. I had another cystogram today followed by an appointment with Dr. Karian in anther attempt to remove my catheter. No go. The bladder is still leaking, so 2 more weeks of this ball and chain. I finally asked him if was worried it wasn’t going to heal and he said no, “I’ve never not seen one of these heal”. I reminded him who we were talking about and he said that in my case it’s taking longer because of the damage caused by the radiation (5 years ago!!!) and also possibly because I am not absorbing quite as many nutrients as I should. He’s worried about my weight loss and the fact that I haven’t put anything back on since I’ve been home. I’m only just getting a semi-decent appetite back, so I’ll be making an effort to eat a little better (perhaps even a green vegetable or 2). The problem, we all know, is not what or how much I eat, but how long it actually stays with me. Average time is about 30 minutes, so I’ll be working on ways to slow this end down once again.

We also had a follow up appointment with Dr. Hanto this week. I told him that I had almost forgot about the fact that he cut me open 3 times in 3 weeks, that I really had no pain or problems with that part of my body. I also let him know that I am very happy with my incision – it’s healing great and is my prettiest one to date, though I am still considering having a zipper installed. It was a good appointment – he’s pleased with my healing, still ignoring the leg issue, and following the bladder problems. I have physical therapy tomorrow and I’ve been very diligent with doing my exercises twice a day and walking (with the brace) as much as I can. I’ve gotten out to a few museums (though I did give in and use the wheelchair at the Peabody Essex just because I wanted to see all 100 paintings in the exhibit and I knew if I used the crutches I’d tire after about 30), to the mall, around the block, to the grocery, etc. I have about 3 hours of social / outside time in me then I crash – and then I remember that I’ve only been home 3 weeks, not really a long time in terms of recovery.
That’s pretty much all there is to report on my end. I continue to have good days and bad ones – usually after a rough night, but that’s to be expected. If all I had to do was recover from the 3 operations in 3 weeks, I’d probably be back at work in another week, but thanks to this leg issue all my recovering is slowed and I’m just going to continue to take it nice and slow.