Week 7/Day 49 - I made it!

The end of today will be 7 weeks post-surgery, and I'm feeling fully recovered.

Last Saturday (end of week 6) was my clinical clearance to resume all normal activities, including exercise. Right in time with that, I felt completely back to my personal normal on both Sunday and Monday. Tuesday/Wednesday there was an ever-so-slight 'presence' in my uterine area, but come Thursday I was great again.

This morning, I took my first post-surgery run. Just 2 miles to see how it went.

• Post-surgery-wise, it went great: no pain, discomfort or weird feelings in the surgery region. 
• Exercise-wise, I definitely have some work ahead of me: My lungs aren't as strong, from 7 weeks of no cardio. And while my legs felt good because of the lunges I've been doing, I could feel in the first 5 minutes how much weaker my abs and waist area are from no attention all this time.  

Still, it's a start. It felt great to release the energy, and I have no excuse to get back into a routine; not even the holiday season. My body's good to go.

How strange, physically, to feel like I never had surgery (except the feeling of my scar lumps when I run my fingers over them). I've gone through such a range of stages in my personal health in this short period of time. 

I would have preferred not to have needed surgery, but in some ways I'm grateful for the experience. And I'm so glad I kept this blog, as much of it seems so distant, now....

It really is amazing how our bodies are able to go through such trauma, and heal. I can truly say that this recovery journey has come to an end. Thanks to all who stopped by from time to time to share it with me.

A final sayonara. :)

Week 6/Day 37 (Sunday) - I can see the light...

This Friday will mark the end of 6 weeks post surgery, and I'm feeling 97%. This past week I've been filled with energy and feeling like I can actually use it.

First, I survived the period from Hell. In addition to the killer cramps, it was super heavy. I hope that's a surgery side effect and not my new normal.

My daily life is mostly back to usual. I am doing my daily work commute, during rush hour, and working full days; I have full range of motion; and I'm not on any kind of drug, powerful or mild.

Since I still don't have the OK to do physical activity like jogging, Pilates, or sex (going nuts, here! Richard, too!), I've been doing torso stretching/leg strengthening moves + fast-paced walks for exercise. I'm proud to say I'm back to overtaking the average walker. Despite the frustration, I can tell that my body's not ready for the bigger stuff yet.

My only complaint is an occasional twinge in my lower right (similar to the ligament pains I mentioned in an earlier post); it's been going at it for a bit tonight.

For the record, I'm posting a timeline of my visual healing, as my scars are now looking much better and probably close to their permanent recovery place.

Day 1 - Saturday, Oct. 13 (Fresh wound padding)

Day 3 - Monday, Oct. 15 (Steri-Strips)

Day 14 - Friday, Oct. 26 (Scabs)

Day 37 - Sunday, Nov. 18 (Scars)

That all for this week. I'll check in again once my full 6 weeks are up.

Sayonara.

Week 5/Day 30 (Sunday) - Period Pains!

Wooow. My period arrived today, with a vengeance.

I'm only posting on this because I'm a full two days earlier than usual—it technically came last night, but without the pain—and it's super crampy. Both of these are incredibly unusual for me since the birth control pill I'm on regulates the hell out of my system (fantastic for someone who thrives on consistency).

Even post-surgery, when I was due for my period just several after (great timing, right?), it came precisely on schedule. And contrary to my doctor's warning that it would likely be heavier than usual, it was completely the opposite, with minimal additional cramping to my existing discomfort.

Well, no such luck this time around! One of the worst periods I can remember.

My period is either:

1. in the process adjusting to my new and improved uterus, in the final stages of healing;
2. teaching me a lesson for dancing/overdoing it the other day; or
3. getting me back for an easy first post-surgery period.

I'm thinking it might be a combo of 1 & 2. 

In any case, it's good to feel..."alive"? 

Week 5/Day 29 (Saturday) - Oh so close...

I am officially into week five, and only a couple days away from my one-month mark. This past week has been inching along in terms of noticeable progress, but I can taste full recovery.

Monday was the start of my daily subway commute into Boston/working in the office. A colleague applauded my decision to work from home during week 3; he had abdominal surgery years ago and returned after week 2, and said it was so hard on his body.

Monday though Wednesday were trying on my core from sitting at my desk. I now realize how ergonomically lacking my chair is. (And I work in occupational safety and health! Go figure.) But by Thursday, quite a dramatic change actually, I felt fine. So I should be in great shape for next week.

Even the subway was doable, though tough, the one day I had to stand in a sardine-packed car during rush hour.

Other positives for the past week:

• I'm back to my regular walking pace, without feeling winded.
• There's barely any tenderness when I rub my incision spots (which expands my wardrobe options tremendously).
• [to tune of 'The Safety Dance'] I can dance if I want to!

Me and Richard at Dance Spot #1

I really tested myself yesterday, but passed with flying colors:

My sister held the 'Last Dance' of her public art piece, Dance Spot Boston. Since I couldn't participate earlier due to my surgery, I had to join the congo line for this.

I tried to be cautious, and took several breaks from the action. But dancing inevitably involves quick movements and bouncing. And I was fine! I think the tiredness I felt was more due to my lack of exercise than my body still healing. No cramping, no soreness.

They really have this 6-week recovery timeline down to a science. In another week, it's going to feel like my surgery never happened. Except for feeling even better than I did pre-surgery.

Week 4/Day 23 (Sunday) - Take It Easy!

I'm to the point where my body feels normal much of the time. This both good (great, even) and bad.

The great side is obvious: It's nice to feel like my old self. I've even started to view some of my previous posts about discomfort/pain as whiny, even though I know they are 100% legit; so that shows how removed from surgery I'm beginning to feel.

The bad side is that even though I feel back to normal, my body still has another couple of weeks to go before it is.

I physically have the strength and mobility back to do active things, like walk briskly or carry heavier groceries, but doing these things strains the parts of me that are still healing. And because I feel better and want to be active again, it's hard to remember (and accept) that I'm only halfway through my recovery and still need to take it easy.

Good thing my body has natural reminders built in!

The steps I jogged down this morning.

Reminder 1: On Friday, feeling really good and energetic, I dropped my car keys under the driver's seat and had to dig them out. Not very active, but a lot of bending and twisting. I was completely winded after the 45 seconds it took to get them out.

Still not OK to make awkward movements.

Reminder 2: I quickly hopped down our front steps today when I went out to get the paper. Didn't think twice about it because I, again, felt so good, and my pre-surgery pace up or down our steps was a jog. After I went inside, I started to feel cramp-y in my uterine area, and almost a little queasy.

Still not OK to bounce.

Both good reminders for my first day back in the office tomorrow. I'd better get some sleep before the big day.

Sayonara.

Day 20 (Thursday) - Milestones

Several updates and milestones to report on, this morning! Today marks the end of my third week post surgery.

• Milestone #1: I slept on my stomach last night for the first time since my surgery. This is a major 'normal' activity for me that's been impossible because of both how it stretches my core (similar to standing up straight) and the pressure it puts on my incisions. It's especially exciting/surprising that this happened last night because I slept horribly the previous night; my incision spots were really acting up and I could not get comfortable. Now, it's really just my belly button and lower right incisions now that still hurt at times when pressure is applied.


• Milestone #2: On a similar note, I can officially stand up beyond upright (shoulders completely back, back arched), and for more than just a minute. I have been moving pretty well, anyway—no more waddling, I can twist—but this is going to make such a difference in my daily activities in terms of fatigue because of the stress it takes off of my back.


• Update: And speaking of movement, I have continued with my 1.25 mile walk at least every other day, and my pace has picked up tremendously. I've gone from a 35-minute-mile to about a 22-minute-mile, which is only 5 minutes off my personal normal. Still very winded from it, but all the more reason for me to be doing it often and picking up speed as best I can.
  
  I am officially a human animal again:

I'm passed the zombie stage, but thought this was appropriate post-Halloween.

I was saying to Richard just last night that it's been really bugging me out to feel winded after such low-key movements, like walking or sitting upright for long periods of time. So I'm really pleased to be able to report on these milestones.

Off for my walk and coffee, and then work.