After my icky day on Thursday, I turned things around and had a great Friday. I began my day with a phone call from my long time friend, Tracy. She gave me a good pep talk and as always, gave me lots of things to smile about. I have known Tracy since I was little. My sister began babysitting for her son, Connor, when he was a baby, and by the time he was 3, I was babysitting for him. Now, Connor is 20 and in college!! Did I get that right Tracy -- 20?!?! I love chatting with her, even if it's only a few times a year, and hearing all about her boys and family. She is always so positive, and since she is also a mother of two boys, I love hearing her stories and advice on raising TEEN boys! Oh boy! That phone call was the perfect start to my Friday. Thanks Tracy!
We were also excited because yesterday marked 2 weeks since surgery! I have heard that 2 weeks is the sweet spot-- the time when things begin to get easier. So we've been waiting for it, and here it was. And boy was it a good one! My butt has been so sore from sitting on it for the past 2 weeks. I have bed sores, and my muscles and joints are so weak. I have stretches to do a few times a day, but it doesn't compare to the busy life of a stay at home Mommy. I feel like a lump on a log! So after my phone call with Tracy, Mom helped me up to use the bathroom. I did some stretches, which now include hip extensions, hip abduction, and knee raises. I looked over at my spot on the couch with disgust. I swear the seat will have my butt imprinted on it when this is all said and done! "I need to lay on my side," I told Mom. She looked at me, bewildered. "How do you assume we go about that?"she asked. I sat in my spot, looked to my right, and just kinda flopped over, ever so slowly. We laughed at my attempt. "Now what?" Mom asked. We worked together to move me to a laying position along the couch. Then one limb at a time and many pillows and blankets around me, got me over to my side. Yay! It felt like such a relief! I have attempted the side thing 2 times before, but both times it took longer to get me there than to actually stay like that. My hips just didn't feel stable enough. But yesterday, 2 weeks from surgery, it was finally (somewhat) comfortable. I stayed like that for about 30 minutes until I had to roll over onto my back. Such an achievement! We will have to try it again today.
Last night we celebrated with Tara and her girls, with some monkey bread pizza, salad, and cheesecake. I even got out of my jammies, fixed my hair, put on a dress, and added make up. It felt good to actually prepare for something! Tara's family used to live down the street from us, but recently moved, so the kids don't see each other as often as they used to. The excitement when they are together now, is, well, overwhelming. The kids were so happy to see each other. Seriously, they used to play almost every afternoon outside together, and now we are lucky if they can play once a week. Pizza parties are a great way to keep us all together as friends, and help me from going crazy in my spot on the couch. Thanks Tara for a fun evening!!
Now, here we are today, Saturday. Ben just took Landon to Trader Joe's and Owen is playing upstairs while Mom does some laundry. I will be taking a nap any minute. I still get so exhausted and nap 1-2 times a day. Mom has been my day nurse since Ben went back to work this week. She has also been in charge of giving me my Lovenox shot each day since we came home. It is a shot in the belly once a day that helps prevent blood clots. She does great, and although you can now play connect the dots on my belly, they rarely hurt. Today was our last shot!! We are both happy about that one! Mom has hated it since day 1, but always does her best. Each day after she finishes she asks, "Did that one hurt?" All done- no more! So happy!! We were so thrilled that today was our last shot, that we asked Owen to be our photographer for the occasion. He happily excepted the challenge. He did a great job capturing the moment (see photos below).
Thanks to my beautiful Auntie Bev, who, on her own birthday thought of me and sent me a beautiful flower arrangement, balloon, and stuffed dog. It is sitting next to me in the living room so I can see it all the time. I just love it!
Thank you also to Bruce and Linda for the nightgown! It is so comfy!
Keep the uplifting comments coming. I read each and every one and am so happy to hear from you all.
We were also excited because yesterday marked 2 weeks since surgery! I have heard that 2 weeks is the sweet spot-- the time when things begin to get easier. So we've been waiting for it, and here it was. And boy was it a good one! My butt has been so sore from sitting on it for the past 2 weeks. I have bed sores, and my muscles and joints are so weak. I have stretches to do a few times a day, but it doesn't compare to the busy life of a stay at home Mommy. I feel like a lump on a log! So after my phone call with Tracy, Mom helped me up to use the bathroom. I did some stretches, which now include hip extensions, hip abduction, and knee raises. I looked over at my spot on the couch with disgust. I swear the seat will have my butt imprinted on it when this is all said and done! "I need to lay on my side," I told Mom. She looked at me, bewildered. "How do you assume we go about that?"she asked. I sat in my spot, looked to my right, and just kinda flopped over, ever so slowly. We laughed at my attempt. "Now what?" Mom asked. We worked together to move me to a laying position along the couch. Then one limb at a time and many pillows and blankets around me, got me over to my side. Yay! It felt like such a relief! I have attempted the side thing 2 times before, but both times it took longer to get me there than to actually stay like that. My hips just didn't feel stable enough. But yesterday, 2 weeks from surgery, it was finally (somewhat) comfortable. I stayed like that for about 30 minutes until I had to roll over onto my back. Such an achievement! We will have to try it again today.
Last night we celebrated with Tara and her girls, with some monkey bread pizza, salad, and cheesecake. I even got out of my jammies, fixed my hair, put on a dress, and added make up. It felt good to actually prepare for something! Tara's family used to live down the street from us, but recently moved, so the kids don't see each other as often as they used to. The excitement when they are together now, is, well, overwhelming. The kids were so happy to see each other. Seriously, they used to play almost every afternoon outside together, and now we are lucky if they can play once a week. Pizza parties are a great way to keep us all together as friends, and help me from going crazy in my spot on the couch. Thanks Tara for a fun evening!!
Now, here we are today, Saturday. Ben just took Landon to Trader Joe's and Owen is playing upstairs while Mom does some laundry. I will be taking a nap any minute. I still get so exhausted and nap 1-2 times a day. Mom has been my day nurse since Ben went back to work this week. She has also been in charge of giving me my Lovenox shot each day since we came home. It is a shot in the belly once a day that helps prevent blood clots. She does great, and although you can now play connect the dots on my belly, they rarely hurt. Today was our last shot!! We are both happy about that one! Mom has hated it since day 1, but always does her best. Each day after she finishes she asks, "Did that one hurt?" All done- no more! So happy!! We were so thrilled that today was our last shot, that we asked Owen to be our photographer for the occasion. He happily excepted the challenge. He did a great job capturing the moment (see photos below).
Thanks to my beautiful Auntie Bev, who, on her own birthday thought of me and sent me a beautiful flower arrangement, balloon, and stuffed dog. It is sitting next to me in the living room so I can see it all the time. I just love it!
Thank you also to Bruce and Linda for the nightgown! It is so comfy!
Keep the uplifting comments coming. I read each and every one and am so happy to hear from you all.