Healing and Reading

Since my October 30th back surgery and being home on medical leave, I have finished two books and started a third last night. I read a very long book on Truman by David McCullough which was well written and I recommend if you are a lover of history as I am. The book left me respecting Truman more and caring for Eisenhower less. The book is about 1,000 pages so be prepared to sit for the long run. The second book I finished since the 30th of October was Queen Victoria's Children by John Van der Kiste. It gives a fairly decent description of Victoria as well as her children and allows a window into the history of Germany/Prussia as Victoria's children married into those families. The book I started yesterday and which has held my interest a.k.a I stayed up late last night reading is The Last Republicans by Mark K Updegrove which highlights George H W Bush and his relationship with his son George W Bush. I am assuming the title is indicative of the current Trump Presidency.
I will let you know what I think of the book upon its completion however I read ten chapters last night and find it very well written so far.


I am feeling so much better and I am healing from the surgery however I find myself wanting to do more and knowing I have restrictions I must follow for the next four weeks as it will take time to heal on the inside. Until you are not permitted to lift anything you do not realize how much of daily life is "lifting something". I cannot carry the laundry basket to the basement but I can place clothes in the washer. I cannot carry the clothes back upstairs but I can fold them and put them away. I cannot grocery shop or bring the bags into the house however I can put the groceries away as long as it is not a case of water or a gallon of milk. I can wipe down a counter top but I cannot mop a floor or vacuum a carpet. When I have my granddaughter she knows she must climb up onto the bed if I need to dress her because I cannot lift her.


As difficult as it is following restrictions, I am following those restrictions because I do not want to undo  what has been fixed. I have always been an avid reader so read I shall. I have other books lined up as I will be on medical leave until December 18th when I return to work.

Surgery and Genealogy

I am officially eight days post surgery and I feel pretty good. When I woke up from surgery I realized the chronic nerve pain in my right leg and buttocks was gone replaced by a throbbing surgical site. It appeared the surgery was a success as it had corrected the problem. I spent two days in the hospital and struggled with a low grade fever for three days. By the time I was five days post surgery, I was getting up and down with minimal help and had taken my first shower without assistance. Six days post surgery I took a walk on the supportive arm of my husband however later on that day I noticed fluid from the wound which increased suddenly and resulted in an emergency room visit where I met my surgeon to rule out a CFS leak (complication of spinal surgery). Thankfully, it was not a CFS leak but a hematoma which was removed and received a set of new stiches. Seven days post surgery was a tough day because the new stiches caused pain and it was difficult to get comfortable but now I am here at eight days post surgery and I feel so much improved.


In the days a head and as I convalesce, I thought about researching the history of the hospitals of Philadelphia past and present. I do not always have the time to engaged in the genealogy side of myself these days with a busy career and family so this could be an opportunity to engaged in the creative side of myself.

The Grace of Aging.

I went to the neurosurgeon last Thursday and it appears I will need to have spinal surgery. I have been in constant chronic pain more than three months that prompted an Urgent Care Visit, X-Rays, a Primary Care Visit, MRI then Neurosurgeon. I have five herniated lumbar discs however it is only the L5-S1 that is creating issues for me. The herniation resulted in the disc laying on a spinal nerve which prompts sciatic pain down through my buttocks to my foot, The pain in my buttocks and right below my knee are the most severe. I cannot stand for more than a few moments without pain or weakness or numbness in my leg. Walking short distances is ok. Sitting is ok. Trying to sleep at night is horrendous. I have not missed any time from work. I suppose my sense of responsibility supersedes my pain. I never had an accident that could have prompted all this so it appears genetic.


When did I become old?


That was the question I pondered last night as I sat around the fire pit in our back yard. I used to have so much energy and I was so active. I first felt I aged right after I experienced all that stress with Joey's issues. I would be lying if I said it did not affect me. By the end, I felt so tired emotionally and physically from trying to hold it altogether that when it was over I felt so much older. I slowed down significantly hence forth. I was forced to accept my new norm in life. Things would never be the same for me. I would always view life through new lenses whether I liked it or not. Loss would be a term I would have to be comfortable with. I would also have to come to terms with the fact that most people would never understand what this loss felt like or how much of a challenge it would be to keep moving forward despite it. That being said I am pretty tenacious, and I know how to persevere, be persistent and have patience. I also know how to find the positive and I have faith in God.


Who else but God knew the gift of Aubree at that same time would be the hope and joy we all needed. My faith in God and that little girl has sustained me.


I am not sure what the future has in stored for me. I suppose I will find out tomorrow when I will have surgery and once I know I will need to get my responsibilities at work and home organized. I hope for a speedy recovery as I plan to work fulltime for the next ten years.






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