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.

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.

Day 1 (Saturday)

It is my first full day home after my surgery.

I am the now happy survivor of a robotic-assisted laparoscopic (minimally invasive) myomectomy (surgical fibroid removal). Not so happy yesterday....

Yesterday, Friday, I left home at 5am, arrived at Faulkner Hospital at 6am, and went under/into surgery around 7:30am.

I totally freaked out before going under, as anticipated. I cried. They brought in my husband, Richard, and Mom to calm me (which I was told I wouldn't have been able to do at Brigham & Women's), though I think it just made things worse because I wanted to make them proud. My doctor/surgeon calmed me more than anyone else. She was wonderful.

I woke up in recovery for the first time around 1:30pm. I slept on and off for another hour or so, and then was joined in recovery by Richard and Mom.

My surgery took an hour longer than expected because my fibroid was much larger than they thought - about the size of a grapefruit (last ultrasound suggested the size of a large apple or orange). An extra hour under general anesthesia = longer time getting back to normal afterwards. Ugh.

Richard and Mom waited patiently while I built up both enough 1) fluid in my body (was catheterized throughout surgery) and 2) control of my abdomen muscles to be able to pee on my own. Never thought it could be so hard to pee.

Home by 5pm. What a long day, and I was out for most of it! Much longer for my company, to whom I'm incredibly thankful for staying so close by.