Friday 18 June 2021

Getting better......

28th May 2021: Five weeks post op

So I was lying in bed, thinking about getting up. I am now post op....... five weeks since I had open heart surgery. Four things were done. One was a replacement heart valve, for which I have the paper receipt. Not sure what to do with a paper receipt if the  new valve fails and I am rendered without life......too late then to have a refund.........! Three other repairs were made as well, one of which was some tubing made of cloth...... no receipt though. All good stuff, or it would be if I wasn't so beset with a weariness which is undermining  to the soul. These are the thoughts I was having as I tried to raise myself up of the bed, an effort which took up to thirty minutes if my OH was not available for a 'haul me up' arm to act as a hoist. 

Back in early March I had a phone call from my  would-be surgeon, explaining in graphic detail about  what would be done during my open heart operation ...... He mentioned the possible negatives,  but said if all went well with the op then that I would be out of bed within two days, walking by five, and home within seven. Well that sounded OK. To my mind I would be up and jollying about on my life's pathway again toute suite...this is what I took from his phone call. 

I was feeling no pain pre-op. However, post op ..... and I was fetched up in a completely different landscape, not only full of physical pain, but all sorts of other pain as well....emotional, psychological, physiological, and all sorts of other depressional pot holes as well. This was a landscape I thought I was never going to escape. Gone was my optimism for life, but worse still was my zest for life, ........I was rendered all in pieces, like a jigsaw puzzle with all the pieces jumbled up. 

It is now the 16th June, three weeks after I started this blog, and eight weeks post op, and I am driving my husband mad, because my jigsaw puzzle pieces are now slotted back together and I am now in mid recovery although still tottery on my feet,  huff and puff with my breathing sometimes, and my energy levels are still not up to maximum. Sometimes my mind feels ten steps ahead of my body, which has my husband frequently telling me to slow down and rest. But I am me, and I am feisty, so I argue back, but then feel guilty because he is right and only wants to look after me, bless him. 

I can now walk 100 steps along the lane, but use a walking pole to stop me from tottering too much, but it is one hundred steps more towards recovery and the next chapter in our lives which will begin when we have finally found a home of our own and we can stop living out of boxes. 

Bye for now, 

Love and hugs, 

Vx



 


17 comments:

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Vera - I am so glad to hear from you and grateful that you are on the mend, even if slowly. Please take the best of care and heal soon. Prayers up!

Vera said...

ROSALEA: Thank you for your kind words. Vx

Vera said...

TOIRDHEALBHEACH BEUCAUL: It has been a hard journey, but the most personal growth comes from staying in faith that all will be right in the end.....thank you. Vx

DUTA said...

I've missed you, Vera. I thought you were perhaps busy with moving to another location.
I'm glad you're past the op, and on the way to recovery. Hopefully, all goes well with you, and you'll even resume blogging.
Hugs and Blessings to you!

Tommo said...

Hope you regain the old zest!

Jean said...

What a terrible time you have had and it's good to hear that you're getting better.

Janice said...

Oh my goodness, what a journey you've been on. I'm sure you're sick of hearing 'baby steps' but every little bit helps in your recovery. Sending big hugs and much love to you. Take care.

Rhodesia said...

So happy to hear from you and I hope that you are well on the road to recovery even if it is a bit slow. Take it easy, time will heal, thoughts are with you. Very best wishes to you both, Diane

Ally said...

I have looked for you every day. So pleased to see you back. Warm and healing thoughts going out to you x

Ally said...

I have looked for you every day. Healing prayers and warm thoughts going out to you x

Vera said...

DUTA: I have missed blogging as well, but sometimes I do not have the words to write with! Thank you for your best wishes. Vx

TOMMO: My old zest is trying to come out, but still remains elusive sometimes! Vx

JEAN: I shall be converting those recent 'terrible times' into a huge learning curve eventually, but am still only mid way through doing that! Thanks. Vx

RHODESIA: Thank you for your best wishes, and I shall try to keep the pace slow, which is not easy when we are house hunting! Not to worry. everything will turn out OK in the end! Hope you are well. Vx

ALLY: Thank you for your 'warm thoughts' and prayers. Bless you. Vx

Vera said...

JANICE: My 'baby steps' were indeed just like that when I was just getting back on my feet, and I could have done with a toddler's walking frame at that time! Thanks for the hugs. Vx

Vera said...

LOCIAL ALIEN: Thank you, and I shall try to update more. Vx

Travel said...

It is so good to hear from you, I had no idea. Take care, take time, one day at a time, one additional step at a time,

walking in beauty carmarthenshire said...

So glad to see you back, Vera, I have been looking for you and wishing you well. As we get a bit older it takes more time to recover(but our determination to do so, maybe stronger) May I send you healing energy ? xx
Kathy

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Hi Vera! Checking in to see how you are continuing to do. Hope all is well!

Vera said...

TRAVEL......Thanks, am still continuing to move forward.

WALKING IN BEAUTY.....Thankyou for your healing energy....it is much appreciated. Vx

TOIRDHEALBHEACH...... I am doing well, and thank you for caring. Vx