Saving Myself (and it's going rather well)

Surgery went well, so much better than expected. I was up and about and moving like my old self within hours. I had so much love and support throughout the whole process.

A quick day by day account post surgery taken from emails:

9.24.06 I’m feeling well, although I’m moving a bit slowly. I came home from the hospital yesterday. I had exactly one pain pill while in the hospital and none since that time since I have absolutely no pain. Everything went extremely well. Now I’m trying to figure out how to take it easy for a while so I can mend. I’m learning how to sit in my garden without weeding or raking or watering. It’s quite a challenge but I think I’m up to it.

9.25.06 I’m spending a lot of time napping and receiving visitors instead. I actually washed my hair today and made some vegan raw food crackers to put into the dehydrator. That was more activity than I’ve managed in a few days and for a while it seemed as if I had overdone it. However, a long nap remedied that. The day flowed by and I had little time to listen to the radio, or delve into one of the many books that have been piling up by my bedside. Howard found me in the garden today and was so gratified to see me just sitting there. He commented that it’s rare for him to see me just sit still. And he reminded me that he had made the garden for me and according to my specifications. It’s time I enjoyed it. It’s been waiting for me for six years. The weather is gorgeous here, an Indian summer.

The upstairs is still a construction zone, but the second floor bathroom now has a ceiling again. The third floor bathroom is nearly complete, but still reeking of toxins so that when I go up to my office to fetch a few things I get dizzy and have to go back downstairs and lie down again. I’m currently living in the library, surrounded by books, brass nautical instruments inherited from my parents, and lots of flowers sent by friends. It’s a very pleasant place to be. My very old dog is blissed out and slumbers by my bed or at my feet when I wander to the garden or living room. She loves that I’m home, living downstairs, and am moving very slowly.

Tomorrow is another day of slow pleasures. Andrine will give me a massage. I could get used to this.

And back to today...

The run up to surgery was a marathon. I was so busy arranging my life so that I could take time off that those last couple of weeks became a blur. I've been looking forward to a little slow time. Of course, I felt so good yesterday that I completely blew it and did way too much, but I suppose some of us have to learn the hard way. Jasper (eldest son) came in at midnight and Gavi (younger son) drove to pick him up. Since Gavi has a learner's permit, I had to go with him. We didn't get back until one a.m. and of course I awoke early as usual. No naps yesterday, not enough sleep last night and too much running around acting like an already healed person led to a very slow day today and the first pain I've experienced since the operation.

However, it's okay to slow down today. It's fun, even. I called John next door and asked to borrow a chaise longe, which he brought over immediately and set up in the garden. I'm so very happy.

Jasper came in specifically to take care of me, and that is so sweet. It's so delightful to hang out with him. He bought a new accordian while in New York which he's playing. He plays such interesting music. When he had just purchased it, he was playing it on the street, not as a performer, but just playing it and two people offered him a job. It's not like he plays it expertly yet, but I can hear that his musical tastes are quite intriguing, and that must have been the attraction.

So, it's back to contemplating the garden, and listening to the spash of the fountain and distant sounds of the accordian on a spectacularly beautiful day in early autumn. The very old dog just got groomed and she's beautiful and even smells good. I feel incredibly blessed.