Healing is humbling, and patience is not a virtue of mine. (*sigh*)
I am 4 weeks post-op, and while I have made serious progress over the past month recovery is still ongoing. Physically my body is not where it was. I went from running 21 km and training for distance races to barely being able to walk the dog and wash the dishes on the same day. It has been a truly humbling experience. I am battling to rebuild my strength and increase my energy levels. Everyday I feel like a work in progress.
As I flipped the calendar next to my desk signifying a shift from March to April - I can't help thinking...
"Where did that month go?"
Oh yeah, that month was spent on the couch as the reigning princess of slugdom. I am well verse in all things reality TV. I have memorized the daily line up for my favourite channels - like TLC, Slice, MTV, and OWN. I have probably read every magazine on the newsstand for March. I have had the chance to read several books, and had a few visits from friends and family, but have accomplished little else.
I admit that I was probably a bit naive - maybe even a little arrogant - when I thought about my recovery. All of my doctors had said it would be 8-12 weeks. So to be fair they really did warn me. But I was confident that this timeline did not apply to me. I am young. I am healthy. I went into surgery probably in the best physical shape of my life. So recouping was going to be a breeze! I thought...
"4 weeks and I will probably be doing Pilates and hiking regularly with the dog."
Well it has been 4 weeks, and I am no where near ready to hit a Pilates class or lace up my sneakers. I still can't stand up straight or reach any of dishes on the high shelves. Walking the dog - though he may be small - is still difficult. And I am slowly realizing I probably have at least another month of recovery to go.
It pains me to write this, but patience is a virtue. And while it is a virtue my type-A self does not naturally possess, it is one I am going to have to work on.
Love your Favourite Darwinian Fail,
Krysten
Ah, but recovery is worth that cancer-free report, right? :) I'm sure that being in such great shape will help speed your recovery process once you get your energy back. Just keep focusing on healing, and let Tina Fey make you laugh. (Isn't Bossy Pants entertaining?) Keep getting better; you'll get back in the game when your body is ready.
ReplyDeletePS: I absolutely love your shorter hair. You look fab!
LOL! I could have written this post - it's SO HARD to go from such an active life to being reduced to the couch, relying on help from everyone else. After my knee surgeries, my fiance had to drive me to and from work (and everywhere) for 4 weeks! I felt like a little kid again.
ReplyDeleteI was also SURE that I'd be on the recovery fast track - i signed up for a race (um... 5 miles) before I was off crutches. The race is in 4 weeks. I just ran 2 miles a few days ago - no WAY I'm going to be able to run 5 without hurting myself at the end of the month. Oh well :)
Keep on recovering - you'll find that your body will let you know when it's time to get moving again. But until then - it's only 1 month! It'll be here before you know it.
Has it really been 4 weeks already??? And I think we always expect to heal much faster than reality. You'll get there though.
ReplyDeleteOh Krysten - I can so commiserate with you. I'm one week post-surgery now and feeling super duper sluggish. Recovery is a ridiculous humbling experience. It drives me crazy to not be able to do everything that I want to, to be hobbling around on crutches. I'm trying my hardest to ask for help and to give my body the time it needs to rest and recover. But I do think that our recoveries will be faster because we were both strong and healthy and active going into our respective surgeries. We'll get through this together, OK?
ReplyDeleteI went through that last winter, where simple things like walking the dog were painful. Sorry to read that you're struggling with it, I know how hard it is to be patient! When you're ready, you're going to think back on this and know it was worth the wait. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI won't have a half marathon to do days before my surgery (though I would if it worked out like that!!) but I, too, hope to be at the peak of my physical condition and now that I know recovery is slow going either way...I'll be more prepared. Take your time and heal so that when you do come back you'll be stronger and faster!! And...worry free!! :o)
ReplyDeleteHey Krysten! I found your blog randomly through twitter. I was tested for BRCA through my cancer drama but fortunately didn't have it. Keep your head up girl. Sending you good vibes from TX!
ReplyDeletewww.greetingsfromtx.com
Krysten, keep it moving forward you will make it. Have you ever heard of Zeal for life. This product heals and restores the body. Try it for 90 days I can assure you will feel better and it will assist in the work out try and let us know how you are doing after a week. This is going to change your life. heal.zealforlife.biz
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