Ahh, what another glorious day in the land of leisure. I think I could get used to this. Haven't even thought about work stuff. Nor have I run out of things to do. That's probably because it takes me twice as long as it used to to do anything. I find that I am getting winded very easily and tire very quickly. I guess I didn't notice it so much the first few days at home because I was so exhilarated to be home and alive and moving around at all. But yes, it is exactly as they warned me. Healing is a very slow process. I go to see my GP tomorrow and will then find out for sure how I'm really doing.
We had a lovely afternoon today. Our friends Mary Jane and Perry visited us from Niagara-On-The-Lake. With them they brought a fantastic lunch (menu item #76) from our favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Vic Hong. Dory was out at the LCBO (the provincially owned liquor stores here in Ontario) this morning to pick up some wines, and they were setting up for the launching today of the Beaujolais Nouveau wines. So needless to say, along with a fine meal we also had fine sampling of "new" wines. One French, one Italian and one local Niagara. Consensus was reached. The Niagara was as good or better than the French. Ha! My first glass(es) of wine in a few weeks, went down extremely well and definitely assisted in my muscle relaxation.
It was a delightful few hours, lounging around with good friends and good food. Mary Jane brought some of her homemade biscotti which we enjoyed with coffee after lunch. And (always a kid) Perry gave me a wind up choo-choo (see photo above), `a la the movie Arthur, when Dudley Moore brings Sir John Guilgood (sp?) a choo - choo on his return home from hospital. Very sweet Perry. Scooter (the german shepherd) went crazy as the silly locomotive crawled along the floor. She wanted to kill it, but maintained her puppy apprehension and kept a safe distance. Good comic relief. Thanks you two for a lovely afternoon.
Just got back from Dr. Marlow's and all went well. He was very pleased with my condition and commented how much better Dory looked (he saw her the week before surgery, when she was overwraught with worry). As he looked at my scar, he jokingly said, "You're a member of the club now." The zipper club. I told him about how the last couple of days the pain has changed and shifted. My first days home the soreness came mostly from the incision area and my front left shoulder. Now my entire rib cage, front and back, and both shoulders are killing me. It feels like someone is constantly poking a finger or sharp stick in me. It's hard to find a comfortable position, especially in bed. He said to expect this kind of stuff for another three to four weeks. Yikes. I'm almost out of Percoset! Hopefully Tylenol with codeine will do the trick. I have really cut back on the Percosets and really only take it at night along with a sleeping pill to help me get to sleep.
I have been corresponding with Peter dellaFemina, the author of a journal which inspired this one, and we were discussing his recovery period around the same stage as mine. I reread his chapter called "Straighten Up & Fly Right" which deals with post surgical depression, and avoidance. I have found myself falling into this trap as well. Heading towards my computer instead of the treadmill. I have to walk. They want me walking at least 20 minutes several times a day. I have not done that yet. So last night, after reading his chapter, I was so motivated I got on that treadmill and did about half a mile in a twenty minute walk. It was easy, really. Thanks again Peter, for your continually motivating me whether you know it or not.
To: Peter dellaFemina
Date: Thursday November 19, 1998
Subject: RE: Welcome Home!
Peter,
Just a quick note to say hello and that the reality of recovery is finally starting to sink in. While I don't think I am in as much severe pain as you were, it is hard to get motivated to walk and I am really starting to notice how quickly I get short of breath and tired.
It is so funny how in your story, the part about the recliner really made an impression on us. In retrospect, it's actually very funny.
We were out looking in stores at recliners. We were actually thinking, " how are we going to make it thru this without a recliner?". And if we got one, where the hell are we going to put it??? A good friend (Steve Oprici) even offered to lend and deliver his to our house for me to use. We never did get one and while it probably wouldn't hurt to have one, (they are so comfy) I haven't found the need for it. Never did see myself as the recliner type anyway. I am out of bed in the mornings, and go from hangin' on a stool in the kitchen, to my desk chair by my laptop, to the bed for a rest... And doing quite fine. Yessiree.
Well a recliner is still not out of the question. Just to have one. But thankfully the sense of urgency is over with. Anyway, thank you again for your journal, as it inspired me. And what I've gotten out of mine, from the feedback from total strangers, to the piece of mind from just writing, is invaluable.
I guess I'm kinda stupid sometimes. All during my hospital stay I wondered why they didn't serve carbonated soft drinks. My meals always came with milk (yuk) and a vanilla milk shake (blech) and a fruit juice and a tea or coffee. Why no good ol' Coke or Pepsi or just ginger ale? Well when I got home I poured myself a great big Pepsi, ya! Only to find out that gee, soft drinks make you burp. Burping is not good when your guts and bones have just been sewn together. Live and learn. Pretty obvious. But lost on me till that moment.
From: Warren Hogg
Date: Wed. November 18, 1998
Subject: It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'
I guess you heard what happens when you reverse the batteries in the Eveready Rabbit. It keeps coming and coming! Just a little joke to keep in the vein of making light of what probably has been the most mortally awakening episode of your life.
Steve, you have set an awesome precedent for all of us boomers heading into the millennium of middle aged old farts. The way you have handled this ordeal is inspiring and your web site should be compulsory reading for all those people we've known over the years who say things like," I"d like to go see Bob, but you know hospitals reeeally depress me". It' seveident that our approach to this has not only been to make it more palatable for yourself but for all those around who were likely worried out of their skin. That's your problem Goldberger, you're always living in the present!
All seriousness aside I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you letting me know about your progress in this way and am elated that things have turned out so well. I will be back in touch, but must go now, ou see, SOME OF US HAVE TO WORK!!!!
Give my love to Dot and hope to see you both soon.
Warren Hogg
This afternoon another gift arrived from my niece Shari and nephew Jesse. In a giant metal tin with a graphic of pigs eating popcorn that said "PIG OUT" was a most original care package. Complete with a piggy get well card, were some inividually wrapped little packages including:
I know Shari's been reading this thing and she's obviously paid attention to my needs. What an excellent niece.
Sorry to interrupt your reading, but if
you are enjoying this journal so far, then you'd probably enjoy my music as well. Please check out my music site
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