At almost 3 weeks post op, I’ve hit a strange phase of my surgery recovery. Physically, everything is healing better than expected. My incisions look amazing, even the problematic one that took its sweet time closing up has finally healed. That means a proper shower is on the horizon. Now that I’ve perfected my bird bath routine, I’m choosing to be extra cautious with getting my incisions wet before they’ve completely healed. However, that last drain incision has officially closed up, and the 24 hr countdown to a proper shower has commenced.
Everything is progressing like it should…actually better than expected. I’m feeling stronger every day. My swelling is decreasing every day. I still require a lot of sleep and naps, but I have more energy than I’ve had in years. Everything is great, and yet I’m fighting this strange feeling of being in limbo. So much of my focus this last year was to make it to my first surgery date and to get well down the road to recovery. Every decision, every choice, every plan was to get me to where I am right now. Make no mistake, I’m absolutely giddy with how things have unfolded. I worked so hard to get here, and the reality has far exceeded my expectations. However, per usual, I just can’t help but start thinking about what’s next.
I have more surgeries on the horizon, and that requires a lot more planning. The next one will be much more complicated. It will cover multiple areas. I will need much more help. I suspect the recovery will look much different than this one. When should I have the next surgery? How much prep work do I need to do to get ready? When do I want to consider taking on more freelance projects at work? I have ideas rattling around in my mind for lipedema (and women’s health) awareness and education initiatives. When and how do I officially want to launch those? I want to plan some short trips in December/January to see family and friends. I want to plan an international trip for next February/March. There are all these things my mind wants to think about and plan, but my body still requests 12 hrs of sleep a day. So, I’m stuck in this place where I can’t move really move forward until I’m a bit further along in the healing process.
I know this is temporary. I mean, it’s not even been 3 weeks since I’ve had surgery. I need to be patient, which is not a strong suit of mine. I don’t need to figure out all these things at this precise moment…or relatively soon. I scheduled and rescheduled this first surgery 3 different times. At first I had a freelance opportunity I wanted to take, so I pushed the date until after the project was done. After that, I wasn’t mentally ready for surgery, so I postponed it. Then I didn’t feel I was physically ready, so I pushed it out again. Finally, the timing was just right. Things happened when they were supposed to, and fell into place beautifully. I’m confident that will happen again…whether it’s surgery #2, my next freelance assignment, my next trip, or my next business venture. Meanwhile, I need to be patient with myself and trust that I will make the right move at the right time.
The LipeDiva 