The Crimson Sprinkler
October 6, 2009
Just one day short of a two weeks since surgery and my recovery is moving along great. Little pain. Minimal pain medication. More mobility. While I’m still spending much of my days in bed being attended to by my two furry nurses, I’m also doing a few chores around the house, going on the shortest of walks, and running errands to the grocery store and Starbucks with Dana behind the wheel. I tire out quick but can definitely notice my endurance is getting stronger every day. I can actually walk to the bathroom at this point without a nap being required afterwards!
The funny in a strange way part has been the spontaneous bleeding I’ve been having from various incision sites. I don’t even have to move to spring a leak. I’ll just be laying here minding my own business and blood will start dripping from here or there. This morning I woke up to find my super suit (D’s name for my compression suit) and my teeshirt soaked through from an incision leaking near my hip bone. There wasn’t any pain or discomfort involved, just a whole lot of blood. I didn’t know this in advance but apparently this is perfectly normal; that as the swelling goes down around incision sites there can be spontaneous bleeding. Ergo, the post title of “The Crimson Sprinkler,” my temporary nickname around the house.
As to my weight, I went into surgery weighing just over 150 pounds and as of this morning that’s what I weigh again. That means I’m still carrying about 8-10 pounds worth of swelling which could take several months to lose. I’m really not concerned about the weight at this point but I’m being intentional in what I’m eating and how many calories I’m taking in which need to be less than I’ll normally eat due to the total lack of activity but at the same time should be higher in protein since the body requires more of it to heal properly. 
While I haven’t taken any after photos yet due to the sutures, bandages and swelling, here’s one couldn’t resist taking. I realize it shows nothing at first glance since I just held my iPhone camera out in front of me and pointed at my waist, but the after of this photo is that the jeans I’m wearing are size 8. They’re a baggy style jean from Life is Good which is why I think I’m actually able to wear them but hey, the label says 8 so 8 it is! It’s really hard to absorb; that I’m wearing small/medium tops and size 8/10 pants when I remember the days all too well of barely being able to squeeze in size 30-32 jeans and a man’s 3XL tee shirt. To be able today to walk into just about any clothing store and not only find something that fits but be able to choose from a number of clothes that do…it’s just surreal.
I won’t ever take it for granted, I won’t ever stop being grateful, because I know as sure as I know anything that what has happened in my life is a miracle. I always thought of miracles as something extraordinary only God could do, and I still believe that but I also believe now more than ever that Divine intervention requires human participation. When we work in partnership with God; when we do our part, then we make ourselves available to receive the part that only God can do. I went to the gym. I monitored my food intake. God gave me the strength I didn’t have in myself to do both. That I weigh less than half of what I once weighed was a team effort. No doubt.
Time to end this post as I’m heading to the doctor’s in another hour to have some of my sutures removed and I need to pop a few pain pills in preparation….just in case any ouch is involved. Fine. I’ll admit it. When it comes to pain I’m a total babypants.
Posted in Reconstructive Surgery
October 6th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Anita,
You could never be more brave than when you decided, with whatever help you had to make the decision, to go about this surgery. This is one of the most difficult surgeries that one can have on the outside of the body. I mean that they didn’t have to take out any organs or rearrange any vital organs. But to experience the pain. We all know how badly it hurts to get cut. We either step on something that cuts our foot, or we cut ourselves with a knife or whatever sharp object that seems handy and we have to go for a few stitches. Then we spend the next week, babying that spot as if it was the worst thing we could endure.
So don’t sell yourself short. We all know that God is in control but it doesn’t make those incisions hurt less or maybe it does. I’ll just say that I’d hate to have the pain and know that God is not involved. I’m sure you would too.
Blessings to you and your wonderful wife D
Bev
October 6th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Dear Miss Babypants,
It is such a remarkable story…. and I am just so happy for you and the struggle that you had for so many years, is now a thing of the past. A long and happy, healthier life to you both.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Anita Babe….you are amazing! I cannot even believe what I am seeing and know how remarkable this accomplishment is. You are an inspiration! I will always love you no matter what size you are – your heart will always far outweigh anything on the outside!
October 6th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
ohhhhh. once again i am scarred by the ‘image’ of your bloody wounds. if i had had any warning as to what the post title meant i could have saved myself some wincing…hang in there wonderwoman. you’re getting cheated out of being showered of gifts and cards this go-around since i’m so distracted right now, but you are sooo in my thoughts and prayers.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Miracles. There are miracles, more miracles and then even more kinds miracles. It was a revelation to me when I first experienced some of the instantaneous-type miracles. I was taught that miracles “weren’t for our times”. But afterwards those instant, can’t-be-denied miracles were my definition of miracles. Flashy. Exhilarating. Lusted after.
Then I saw in my life and others miracles that were slower, a process. The working of them was subtle yet profound. The more I watched, the more I saw; miracles unfolding everywhere. Quietly, without fanfare, sometimes without my awareness or knowledge. And these miracles are he ones that have had the most profound and lasting influence in my life.
And now, the idea that you put forward, that we can be involved in the making of the miraculous is a new one. So my definition of miracles is stretched, and I am going to be watching to see these new ones.
If the Lord keeps working this way, soon everything I see will be a miracle!!! Thank you for opening a new way of seeing for me.
And keep on going slow to get where you want quickly!!!
Good rest, and peace, and new comfort and strength I pray for you.