I returned home 12:30 yesterday. In the United States, that’s called afternoon. In Spain, it’s still morning. I slept Tuesday night. I moved around a lot before the doctor arrrived at 10. I felt excellent. San Geraldo was delayed and the doctor kindly waited for his arrival at 10:30. He removed the bandages and showed San Geraldo how to do everything. That took all of 1o minutes. We were given all the instructions. SG took notes. Dr. Antonio then had to run, so he told a nurse to put fresh bandages on and release me. Since I had nothing protecting the wound, I couldn’t sit or lie down. Since I was naked, I couldn’t go strolling the halls while I waited. Standing makes me ache. And I was cold. I wrapped myself in a sheet. After 40 minutes, San Geraldo went to the nurse’s station and reminded her I was waiting. She said distractedly, “Oh, yes, I was waiting for someone.” She arrived minutes later and did an awful job applying the bandages. They’re loose and sloppy. SG had to remind her she had forgotten one bandage. He will do new ones today.
I’ve been fairly miserable since I got home — except for SG and the cats, and our bed which is so comfortable. I had initially thought I wouldn’t take pain medication at all once I was home, but I ache and when I take the medication (which at this point is only paracetamol) I mostly don’t ache. So, it will be a regular part of my day. I had commented on someone’s blog from bed using my iPad this morning. Blogger let me exit without saying “You haven’t hit publish.” You should have heard me. When I ranted to San Geraldo he said he was going to put a sign on the door, “Enter at your own risk.”
SG made me my typical breakfast of yogurt, peaches, Special K (horse tranquilizer might be better), almonds, and dried cranberries. Worthy of at least several Michelin stars. The plumber was here to look at installing new showers that will make my clean-up so much easier. And Isabel will be happy, too, to have hand-held shower heads for cleaning. After walking around the house with the plumber and discussing options, and visiting my desert roses. I’ve been seated at my desk for a bit now. Right now, SG will be pleased to know it’s safe to enter my office. Unfortunately, he’s out grocery shopping. I’m doing so much better. I may have come through the surgery brilliantly. I may be healing perfectly. But Antonio told me yesterday, “No exercise for another month!” At least I can do the gentle movements for range of motion but … never mind. I promise every day will not be a list of complaints.
Tuesday when San Geraldo was visiting he said he could sing an entire song from start to finish to entertain me. “Could” is never true in this case. He began, “Mary had a little, little lamb, little lamb…” I knew exactly where he would go off the tracks. “Mary had a little lamb” [crickets]. I finished for him “It’s fleece was white as snow.” All he knew of the entire song was that Mary had a little lamb. He then started on “The ants go marching one by one” and I commanded, “Stop!”
Dudo wants me to play with him. He follows me around with a number of toy mice to fetch. Sorry, Dudo. He at least cuddles with me in bed. Moose, as usual, wants me to get down on the floor to cuddle. I don’t know when that will happen again. Poor guy. Meanwhile, he thinks I could make up for it by giving him treats every 30 minutes instead of every 4 or more hours. I will publish and go back to bed now. Next pain pill in 4 hours and 32 minutes. Serenity now!
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Regresé a casa ayer a las 12:30. En los Estados Unidos, eso se llama tarde. En España, todavía es de mañana. Dormí el martes por la noche. Me moví mucho antes de que llegara el médico a las 10. Me sentía excelente. San Geraldo se retrasó y el doctor esperó amablemente su llegada a las 10:30. Se quitó las vendas y le mostró a San Geraldo cómo hacer todo. Eso tomó todo de 1o minutos. Nos dieron todas las instrucciones. SG tomó notas. Entonces el Dr. Antonio tuvo que correr, así que le dijo a una enfermera que me pusiera vendajes nuevos y me liberara. Como no tenía nada que protegiera la herida, no podía sentarme ni acostarme. Como estaba desnudo, no podía pasear por los pasillos mientras esperaba. Estar de pie me hace doler. Y yo tenía frío. Me envolví en una sábana. Después de 40 minutos, San Geraldo fue a la enfermería y le recordó que la estaba esperando. Ella dijo distraídamente: “Oh, sí, estaba esperando a alguien”. Llegó minutos después e hizo un trabajo horrible al aplicar los vendajes. Son sueltos y descuidados. SG tuvo que recordarle que no había olvidado un vendaje. Él hará nuevos hoy.
Me he sentido bastante miserable desde que llegué a casa, excepto por SG y los gatos, y nuestra cama, que es muy cómoda. Inicialmente había pensado que no tomaría ningún medicamento para el dolor una vez que estuviera en casa, pero me duele y cuando tomo el medicamento (que en este momento es solo paracetamol) casi no me duele. Entonces, será una parte regular de mi día. Había comentado en el blog de alguien desde la cama usando mi iPad esta mañana. Blogger me dejó salir sin decir “No has pulsado publicar”. Deberías haberme oído. Cuando despotricé a San Geraldo dijo que iba a poner un cartel en la puerta, “Entra bajo tu propio riesgo”.
SG me preparó mi desayuno típico de yogur, duraznos, Special K (el tranquilizante para caballos podría ser mejor), almendras y arándanos rojos secos. Digno de al menos varias estrellas Michelin. El plomero estaba aquí para considerar la instalación de nuevas duchas que facilitarán mucho mi limpieza. E Isabel también estará feliz de tener duchas de mano para limpiar. Después de caminar por la casa con el plomero y discutir opciones, y visitar mis rosas del desierto. He estado sentado en mi escritorio por un rato ahora. En este momento, SG estará complacido de saber que es seguro ingresar a mi oficina. Desafortunadamente, está de compras en el supermercado. Estoy mucho mejor. Es posible que haya superado la cirugía de manera brillante. Puede que me esté curando perfectamente. Pero Antonio me dijo ayer: “¡Sin ejercicio por un mes más!”. Al menos puedo hacer los movimientos suaves para el rango de movimiento pero… no importa. Prometo que todos los días no será una lista de quejas.
El martes, cuando San Geraldo estaba de visita, dijo que podía cantar una canción completa de principio a fin para entretenerme. “Podría” nunca es cierto en este caso. Comenzó, “Mary tenía un pequeño, corderito, corderito…” Sabía exactamente dónde se desviaría. “María tenía un corderito” [grillos]. Terminé por él “Su vellón era blanco como la nieve”. Todo lo que sabía de toda la canción era que María tenía un corderito. Luego comenzó con “Las hormigas van marchando una por una” y le ordené: “¡Alto!”
Dudo quiere que juegue con él. Me sigue con varios ratones de juguete para buscar. Lo siento Dudo. Al menos se acurruca conmigo en la cama. Moose, como de costumbre, quiere que me tire al suelo para acurrucarme. No sé cuándo volverá a suceder. Pobre tipo. Mientras tanto, cree que podría compensarlo dándole golosinas cada 30 minutos en lugar de cada 4 horas o más. Voy a publicar y volver a la cama ahora. Próxima pastilla para el dolor en 4 horas y 32 minutos. ¡Serenidad ahora!
It is great to hear you are home. Take care of yourself, and the boys.
David:
Can’t do much for the boys. Great to be home.
There’s no place like home, especially after the hospital! Hand held shower heads are the BEST! Love them. Keep popping those pain pills! Eventually you won’t need them anymore and that will be a sweet day.
Debra:
I’m dreaming of my shower, but I need to get back in bed for a bit.
Now that your home it will be like a weigh was lifted. And since no walks or exercise, we don’t have to worry about you having an accident or stairs trip!!!!! Or the cats may just drive you nuts!!!!! I love how when we’re at a doctor they leave us in sterile room, naked, waiting for 30 minutes or more. Yet when Im in the baths I don’t mind it? Funny thing that.
Mistress Borghese:
Well, I did fall back too hard in a living room chair and nearly flipped it. I have my ways! Oh, please, you don’t like being left waiting in the baths.
Thanks for sharing this……..gives good picture of what you are going through.
In time you will look back at this with a smile maybe.
Oh, is SG ‘in tune’ when singing? Would make all the difference I am sure.
Jim:
SG has a strong and on-key voice. There’s at least that.
We’ve had a hand held shower head for ‘centons’ and so glad we did. Pain killers are the way to go ~ they work. Ok, now go back to your bed and catch some more Zzz’s ~ your body will heal after all you “SuperMan” correcto mondo!
Ron:
We had hand-held shower attachments that sprank leaks, so the plumber removed them several months ago. We haven’t like that and Isabel has hated it.
Glad you’re home and have musical entertainment to keep you perked up.
Listen to the doctor!!!!!
And to Dr. SG!
Bob:
Dr. SG is really good. I’m listening.
We long for things to heal immediately but each minute that goes by IS one minute better. You have passed the big ordeal – soon it will all be in the fast-fading rear view mirror. It is difficult to remember all this right now. Go take a nap.
sillygirl:
Amazing to think that this time last week I hadn’t even left yet for the hospital.
Hope the surgery will leave you pain free, once you get past the pain of the surgery. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work? Hang in there!
Frank:
Sadly, there’s still the sciatica to contend with. At minimum I’m dangerous tumor–free. THAT’s something.
I am glad that you are now home. To coin a Judy Garland line, “There is no place like home.” Take those pain meds, don’t try to suffer through the pain. Soon, you will need them less and less. With each day, things will get better! Oh, also complain all you want as it is good therapy!
mcpersonalspace54:
Judy also said “somewhere over the rainbow.” Complaining DOES help.
Don’t hesitate to get things off your chest here, to us… that’s what we’re here for, since we can’t help in any other way :). I hope you’ll continue letting yourself take the Paracetamol … it’s not like it’s an opioid. After a surgery of mine, the doctor reminded me to “get in under the pain”… don’t wait until the pain starts, to take the pills, take it on a regular basis for now. It’s not going to hurt you, it’s just going to help.
Signed,
Doctor Judy (who is not, actually, in any way, a doctor or nurse LOL)
Judy C:
I’m sticking with the paracetamol because, at minimum, it helps me sleep. Do you play a doctor on TV?
Hang in there, kiddo! 😘
Wicked Hamster:
I am surviving and enjoying some pleasurable moments.
I’m glad you’re home, and the cats are too, I’m sure. Oh, and SG, of course. 🙂 He sounds like such a character. It cracks me up that he couldn’t finish “Mary Had a Little Lamb” — and that you knew the point at which he would go wrong!
Steve:
I think I know SG better than I know myself.
Welcome home. I applaud SG for his patience and humor, love and care.
Shirley:
SG is one of a kind.
so pleased to hear you are back home and this is over with, at least now you will be more gorgeous. I think SG was sweet to sing to you, let him entertain you.
Laurent:
I love lyrics. SG muddles all lyrics. It makes me crazy and makes me laugh.
Good to hear you’re back home again — there’s nothing like the comfort of one’s own bed, is there?! No need to rush your recovery, the human body heals on its own time table. In the meantime, enjoy your cats, SG’s care and the pain killers!
Tundra Bunny:
I have to remind myself that I wasn’t even in surgery at this time last week. 7 days!
Home at last! And magical nursery rhyme songs to greet you – how lovely. 😜 Jx
PS the picture of you stood waiting in the ward, wearing just a sheet – must have been reminiscent of a scene from the last days of the Roman Empire. Or a Nun.
Jon:
I felt like the Angel of Death.
One more try….very pleased to know that you are recovering well.
And…post comment…here goes
dinahmow:
I’m fortunate it all went so well.
I’m glad to know you are home and it sounds like you’re in good hands/paws. Now you can really recuperate.
Kelly:
Absolutely. Let the recuperation begin. Now. I said, NOW!
Also happy that you’re back at home. The pain notwithstanding, I’m sure it feels better to be in familiar surroundings with SG and the felines around. Heal quickly!
Walt the Fourth:
I’ve often heard “one doesn’t get well in a hospital.”