Hey… it’s Anna. 🖤
Well…
I’m officially four days into recovering at home.
And I’m happy to report that things are definitely moving in the right direction.
Recovery is still… well… recovery.
But every day feels a little easier than the one before.
I’ll take that as a win.
The Pain Is Changing
One thing I’ve noticed is that the pain isn’t necessarily gone.
It’s just… different.
The first couple of days home were rough.
I actually ended up taking the stronger pain medication they sent me home with.
I had been trying really hard not to take it because I don’t like feeling groggy or out of it.
But sometimes you have to stop trying to be a superhero and just take the medicine.
That’s literally what it’s there for.
Thankfully, I only needed it for those first two days.
Now?
Tylenol and ibuprofen have been enough.
I never thought I’d be so excited to say those words.
My Incision Has Opinions
The incision itself is healing well.
It isn’t constant pain anymore.
It’s more of a burning sensation.
Almost like my body is politely reminding me…
“Anna… you’ve done enough for today.”
I’ve noticed it happens if I sit upright for too long.
Or if I spend too much time walking around.
It’s like my body has installed a timer.
Once I reach the limit…
The burning starts.
So I’ve been learning something that, if you’ve followed this blog for a while, you already know I’m terrible at.
Listening to my body.
Not pushing through.
Not thinking, “Oh, I can do just one more thing.”
Recovery has a funny way of humbling you.
When your body says it’s done…
It’s done.
And honestly?
Maybe that’s a lesson I should have learned years ago.
💨 Ah Yes…
The Gas.
I feel like this gas deserves its own series at this point.
Because wow.
It is still, without question, the rudest part of this entire recovery.
Nobody warned me it would hang around this long.
Thankfully the medication they gave me really does help.
And I’m finally passing gas much more freely.
Never in my forty years did I think I’d be publicly celebrating that.
Yet here we are.
Recovery is glamorous, isn’t it?
My Left Arm Is Still Being Dramatic
The biggest issue right now isn’t actually my incision.
It’s my left arm.
The doctors told me it’s most likely from how I was positioned during my eight-hour surgery.
Apparently sleeping for eight hours while someone rearranges your insides isn’t exactly kind to the rest of your body.
The feeling has improved a little.
But it’s still there.
It’s this strange combination of burning…
Pins and needles…
Tingling…
Tightness…
Almost like my arm fell asleep and forgot how to fully wake up.
The good news is they expect it to improve.
The bad news?
It’s incredibly annoying.
I’m right-handed, thankfully.
But you’d be surprised how often you use both hands without even thinking about it.
Simple things suddenly become complicated.
Picking things up.
Opening containers.
Holding a bowl.
Even typing this post.
Which explains why today’s update might be a little shorter than usual.
My left hand has officially decided it wants no part of blogging today.
🛏️ Sleep Is Still A Puzzle
I’m getting more comfortable in bed.
Which feels wonderful.
My own mattress continues to be one of my favorite parts of coming home.
Seriously.
Hospital beds are built for many things.
Comfort isn’t one of them.
I’m still experimenting with different sleeping positions.
Turning over is getting a little easier.
Very little.
But easier.
The only position I still absolutely cannot manage is lying on my left side.
That arm immediately lets me know it disapproves.
So for now…
The left side remains closed until further notice.
🍲 Soup Has Become My Best Friend
Food has been pretty simple.
Nothing fancy.
I’ve mostly been eating broth and soup.
And honestly…
Warm food just feels good right now.
It goes down easily.
It’s comforting.
And I’ve noticed something.
The lighter I eat…
The kinder my stomach seems to be.
Less discomfort.
Less gas.
Less complaining from my digestive system.
I’ll happily take that trade.
I’ve also been drinking lots of water.
And coconut water.
Trying to stay hydrated feels like one of the easiest ways I can help my body do its job.
After everything it’s been through…
The least I can do is keep it hydrated.
Recovery Isn’t Linear
One thing I’m learning very quickly is that recovery isn’t about waking up one morning completely healed.
It’s tiny improvements.
Walking a little farther.
Getting in and out of bed a little easier.
Needing less medication.
Feeling a little stronger than yesterday.
Those little victories add up.
And I think that’s something worth remembering.
Not just after surgery.
But in life too.
We spend so much time waiting for the big milestones that we forget to celebrate the small ones.
Today my win is that I don’t need the strong painkillers anymore.
Tomorrow it might be something else.
And that’s okay.
Healing doesn’t have to be dramatic.
Sometimes it’s quiet.
Sometimes it’s slow.
Sometimes it looks like drinking soup, taking a nap, and calling it a productive day.
One Day At A Time, Lovelies
That’s my little update for today.
Things are getting better.
Slowly.
My body is healing.
My arm is still acting like it missed the memo.
The gas pain is finally becoming a little more manageable.
And I’m learning that rest isn’t something I have to earn.
It’s part of the treatment.
Now, if you’ll excuse me…
Typing is starting to irritate my very stubborn left hand, and I think it’s telling me today’s writing session is officially over.
So I’m going to listen.
Rest.
Drink another cup of caffeine-free tea.
Maybe have another bowl of soup.
And continue taking this recovery exactly the way it’s meant to be taken…
One day at a time.
Until next time, lovelies.
Anna out. 🖤💋
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