Survive and Thrive. Nap Time!

As you know, I survived the surgery just fine. The knee is doing great. I'm very pleased.

You also know we lost Natasha, my beloved kitty. Yes, we still have seven indoor kitties that need my attention. Mr. L even carried Sneaky in to say hello the day I came home and got settled into my chair. Today, I sat on the side porch steps and coaxed Junior to eat from the bowl beside me.

In home physical therapy is going well. My knee is a little ahead of schedule on recovery but not by leaps and bounds. My surgeon encouraged me to get off the OxyContin as soon as possible, so instead of a morning and evening dose, I've just been taking an evening dose (except for this morning when I forgot and took it). I'm not sure how necessary the Hydrocodone is every six hours, but I take it religiously. The idea being, to prevent pain from emerging to keep it manageable.  I have my first follow-up appointment this Friday, and I'm sure we'll discuss the next step, because I need to be off the narcotics before I can drive, and it would be nice be able to hold a thought for more than a minute or two at a time.

I'm sleeping a lot. Despite not pitching in for a lot of household chores like I'd hoped, Mr. L has been most attentive in other, more important ways. I was lamenting the unexpected loss of Natasha in another forum, and I was reminded how fortunate it was that I hadn't lost Mr. L instead. What a sobering thought that was. By doing the dishes and laundry, I work in short increments, and it helps make sure I do get up and get moving for short bursts, which is helpful to my recovery.  Besides, if i were alone, like I was for my last surgeries, I'd be doing it all myself anyway.

While Mr. L was mowing today, I retrieved the hedge nippers from the shed and began trimming the hedge by the street. I could feel my energy being visibly sapped. I've been napping for the rest of the afternoon, trying to regain my strength, and I'm still feeling wiped out.

The Week Ahead:

• Sleep
• Physical Therapy
• Follow-up Visit with surgeon (most likely staples will be removed)
• Try to form a coherent thought