The evolution of man

  I had my 4-day post-op appointment yesterday. My goal this week is to learn to stand up straight again.  Right after surgery it is physically impossible to do anything other than hunch over like a caveman.  A walker would have been nice. Shopping carts were my best friend.  Now I'm forcing my body to stand up straight, to stretch the skin back out.  It's painful, but it's also painful to hunch over. I'm in dire need of a good massage after this. Yesterday, at the doctor's office, I was "scolded" for not standing up straighter. But then I tried and I got dizzy. Apparantly I've been having vasovagal reactions to my pain. I get dizzy and nearly black out. I've had this in the past and always thought they were blood sugar attacks. But really, it's more blood pressure related.  It's scary and not fun at all.

Today I put my back against the wall, slowly moved my feet back and did it! I stood straight! It was difficult and won't happen all day, but I did it.

I got my drains out yesterday as well (the reason for my appointment). It was not fun, I said some bad words and put a curse on my doctor in my head, but I'm glad they're out. Now there's nothing to do  but heal. I feel very numb and bruised. Wherever it's not numb it's bruised. But it's getting better every day. It's been 5 days since surgery. I think by Friday (1 week) I'll be functioning well again.

But girls! My stomach? It's flat. Flat!!

As soon as I can get the sharpie marks to wash off and some of the swelling goes down I'll post a before and after picture.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the upside to major surgery.  I had the longest "break" I've had in three years. I lounged around, got meals brought to me in bed, slept in after the kids went to daycare, didn't have to wake up in the middle of the night, and napped during the day.  I watched three movies, read a book, read the entire Sunday paper (even the comics, can you imagine!?). I was in the same house as my kids (hiding in my room) so I could hear them and know they were safe and happy with Daddy and Grandma. 

Don't tell anyone, but it was kind of nice.  ;) Shhhhhhhh.