Recovery Journal #11
When you put your mind to work, it is a great feeling. I had been sedentary both physically and mentally. On Monday, March 23, 2009 - 10 days after the surgery - I started working on the plans in my to do list book. These tasks included making phone calls, cleaning up small areas of items and getting things together for my taxes. The daily lists included about 10 to 12 aactivities to keep my mind and body moving.
Probably the most important thing I did over the next two days were writing and delivering "Thank-You" Cards. Over my back pain and the surgery, I was blessed with visits, calls and cards. Many people offered to help both me and my father to take care of different parts of our lives. People checked up on us and delivered food. For these wonderful people and in the spirit of gratitude, I wrote about 14 thank you notes. I also sent 2 quick notes to friends on the mainland that I failed to send out Christmas Cards to. I even visited a friend's store. I do not know if it is a cause of some of my improvement, but I know that writing those Thank you notes helped to keep my positive attitude.
A huge test for me and my back came up on Wednesday. By that time, I was only taking one tablet of extra strength tylenol and two tablets of ibuprophen (in addition to my regular prescription meds) for the pain. I had a busy afternoon including a visit to my surgeon - including an X-Ray and check on the surgery. Pain control and management were still difficult. When all was said and done, I still had to get ready for the Journey Concert. There were three challenges for my recovery in that one event. First was walking the distance from John and Joy's apartment to the Neal Blaisdell Arena - which was not too bad, but I was slow compared to the others. Second, and mofre physically challenging, was the climb up to the seats - which also took me a while, but was not much of a problem. Third, was just being able to sit through the concert. Due to my back injury, I rarely sat for more than an hour and a half. I was able t survive both sitting in my seat and rocking out at the concert (although in a seated position instead of standing. The concert was great, but it was also a major test of how my back would take the pressure. With that, I felt I was prepared for work the next week.
Probably the most important thing I did over the next two days were writing and delivering "Thank-You" Cards. Over my back pain and the surgery, I was blessed with visits, calls and cards. Many people offered to help both me and my father to take care of different parts of our lives. People checked up on us and delivered food. For these wonderful people and in the spirit of gratitude, I wrote about 14 thank you notes. I also sent 2 quick notes to friends on the mainland that I failed to send out Christmas Cards to. I even visited a friend's store. I do not know if it is a cause of some of my improvement, but I know that writing those Thank you notes helped to keep my positive attitude.
A huge test for me and my back came up on Wednesday. By that time, I was only taking one tablet of extra strength tylenol and two tablets of ibuprophen (in addition to my regular prescription meds) for the pain. I had a busy afternoon including a visit to my surgeon - including an X-Ray and check on the surgery. Pain control and management were still difficult. When all was said and done, I still had to get ready for the Journey Concert. There were three challenges for my recovery in that one event. First was walking the distance from John and Joy's apartment to the Neal Blaisdell Arena - which was not too bad, but I was slow compared to the others. Second, and mofre physically challenging, was the climb up to the seats - which also took me a while, but was not much of a problem. Third, was just being able to sit through the concert. Due to my back injury, I rarely sat for more than an hour and a half. I was able t survive both sitting in my seat and rocking out at the concert (although in a seated position instead of standing. The concert was great, but it was also a major test of how my back would take the pressure. With that, I felt I was prepared for work the next week.