Not exactly what I had planned but I will take this delicious dish on a silver platter any and every day as opposed to the alternative. My INR numbers are slowly climbing and I actually got 5 hours of sleep last night during 3 well timed naps. I did dream each time so I was glad to know that I was able to reach deep sleep.
I did not realize how much I took sleep for granted. I would get in bed watch a little TV and off to sleep I would go. I did not have to set an alarm because I knew that 7 hours later I would be waking up.
Something else that was pointed out by an comment to one of my posts is how I underestimated the how the lack of endorphins was going to effect me. I simply thought that if I was able to get out and walk the halls a dozen times a day for a total of an hour or so that I would be okay.
NOT
With those pieces of valuable information I will now be able to understand as to why I am not my totally positive self. What I am going thru is simply temporary and right now is somewhat out of control. However my attitude is something I can control and I am going to start working what I can control more, look to the future more, and stop dwelling on the present and the past.
Yesterday the manager of the floor saw me out walking with my favorite running shoes on and suggested that I go to the Rehab facility near by my room today and I am like a kid waiting for my parents to wake me up on Christmas morning. They are open from 10- Noon so have my entire day planned around being able to go and maybe even take my heart rate up a notch or two. My original rehab plan was to wait until after I got home and then sign up with the local hospital after a week so this is great news.
It was as good as I had hoped. With my vitals up on a screen for the folks to review and Blood pressure taken every 5 minutes I was able to get in a slow walk for 20 minutes straight and around 6/10's of a mile. I now have a goal for tomorrow. Do a little bit better. My heart rate drooped a bit after my mid day nap and blood pressure is also more in line with what it was prior to surgery. Icing on the cake will be an afternoon walk on the roof top lounge. Oh happy day.
It did not matter that it was 90 degrees out the fresh air was worth its weight in gold.
I had some fun when a chopper landed near by so I imagined they dropped in to pick me up and get me out on the day that I had originally hoped. I did have a good laugh with that one. During the time on the roof I was also able to reflect on the fact that only one week ago I had the major of all major surgeries and by all accounts I am doing great.
Decided to name my scar MZ for Mini Zipper so you can tell that my positive attitude is back in full bloom. Thanks to all that have read my ramblings and that have sent me much needed words of encouragement. I also look forward to read the stories of success, setback, sidesteps, etc of others that have gone down this road or by those that will be soon be hearing the sweet sounds of the words, wake up because in reality you were only sleeping.
Now for something to think about for those that have their date set and are now counting down the days. Here at the Cleveland Clinic they give you an online password to what they call Guided Imagery. I also went online and found a great meditation application called, take a break! Meditation Oasis. I highly recommend both. With Guided Imagery they have several different meditation sessions. One for general use for you or family members and also one pre operation and one post operation. I found the pre operation sessions particularly helpful. It asks you to think of the perfect experience that is easy to remember and just prior to surgery while they are hooking you up go to that happy place. It really works. When asked my level of stress while getting ready for surgery on the scale of 0-10, I was easily able to answer ZERO.
Thanks
Tony
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