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The Kitchen Table

Doing good after surgery

15 years ago

Just wanted to let you all know I'm doing ok. I came home yesterday and have been trying to stay as active as possible, even did a load of dishes in the dishwasher last night.

On full liquids today and for the next week and a half. So far, so good.

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Comments (46)

patti43
15 years ago
It's great to hear from you! Glad to hear you're doing well. I just know it's going to be a really happy new year for you!
gadgets
15 years ago
That's really good news!! I hope you continue to do well. Just don't overdo.

Shirley
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I've been with the same company since 1989, and so we are very familiar with each other by now, but it was not like that in the beginning. When I first met my boss, I felt an instant rapport with her and felt like we were meant to be together. When I looked at her furniture, I thought to myself, "These are the exact same proportions I would use," and so I knew from the beginning that we had a compatible design style/sense. It took her a little longer than it did me to realize this, but once she did, she trusted me with all new designs. Kevin has some good friends at work, and a couple of the them live not too far from us. One has offered to help cook and help with grocery shopping, if necessary, but I think I am recovered enough by now to handle shopping. I just cannot get anything heavy yet, but that will come in due time. As for the garden, I will hire help probably in October. It would nice to have him sooner, but he is my friend in Sacramento, and I have to work with his schedule. I don't trust the local landscapers here. I could possibly find a good landscape architect here, but that would be expensive and more than we need right now, although I'll keep it in mind for the future. It depends on what we end up doing in Palm Springs. I think Kevin will be much happier when we can buy a second home in the Palm Springs area. We'll probably end up in Cathedral City (Palm Springs adjacent but not walking distance), and hopefully Cathedral Gulch. This won't start happening until next year, but it's something to look forward do that I think might help Kevin feel better. What is odd is that so many people ask us if we are twins, but I am 15 years (+3 weeks) older, and I think this must be very insulting to Kevin. First people ask us if we are brothers. Then they ask if we are twins. Then they ask which one is older, which is the worst question of all. I've afraid that Kevin is going to appear even older after this ordeal, but if he can have a week-end house in PS, then I think he won't mind so much. I don't know yet how I will look after my full recovery, but I am keeping plastic surgery as an option. I've had hospital technicians tell me that if you live in Los Angeles, then it is almost mandatory. When I had a bike accident that cut my forehead, they would not release me from St. Johns until I interviewed with a plastic surgeon. Back then (around 1996) I did not care about having a small scar or two on my forehead, and now it's barely visible anyway. If anything, what I can see of it makes me look more rugged, I think. I wear bike helmets now. Sorry for rambling - I'm having trouble sleeping some nights, and after just having seen Kevin, I am feeling even more anxious. I think I will be able to help him with most of what he needs, but he is very private and introverted and often likes to be by himself. I hope he will spend his alone time in the back yard instead of his bedroom, but for now, I know it is painful for him to sit in a chair, and I expect that to last for a while. I could see the evidence of the surgery that had been done, having to remove part (or all) of his sphincter, which I mentioned before but had not seen evidence of before. He's going to be on disability for about three months, I think, but since he has been paying disability insurance for many years, he will get paid pretty much his normal salary - from the insurance. However, they deduct Californian disability payments, as California is fairly generous with these payments, and so Kevin will have to apply for those as well - since the payments will be deducted whether he receives them or not. He cannot file for California disability until he gets out of the hospital, but I think he knows how to do this.
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Marilyn Sue
15 years ago
So glad to her you are doing so well. Keep up the good work!

Sue
kayjones
15 years ago
That's great, Kathy!
country_bumpkin_al
15 years ago
Happy to hear you're doing good!!
moonie_57 (8 NC)
15 years ago
Wow, that happened so fast, didn't it? So glad that you're doing so well!

Happy New Year! Great way to start off 2011!
monica_pa Grieves
15 years ago
Glad to hear you're doing well.
Georgysmom
15 years ago
Welcome home. Be careful and do not overdo. Here's to a great and successful New Year.
glenda_al
15 years ago
Sending you good thoughts and hope you continue doing well.
Just don't do TOO much!
sue_va
15 years ago
I've been thinking about you but didn't expect to hear anything this soon. That means you are doing well and on the mend.

Take care of yourself and don't try to do too much. Let the youngster help.

Sue
lunchlady1948
15 years ago
Good news Kathy do not push yourself too hard ;)
bigfoot_liz
15 years ago
Great news! What an awesome way to start 2011 for you! don't over do it and check in when you are up to it ~ liz
nodakgal
15 years ago
Great news Kath!
A new year, a new you. Just make sure you don't over do!
(hahaha I kill myself some days!)
linda_in_iowa
15 years ago
Happy new year Kathy. I wish you a speedy recovery.
phyllis__mn
15 years ago
Good to hear you are up and about,Kath.....take care and heal well!
FlamingO in AR
15 years ago
Great to see you, Kath and I hope you do really well and that it's all good from here on out!
OklaMoni
15 years ago
Glad to see you here, which in my mind means, you are doing ok. Wishing you the best.

Moni
teresava
15 years ago
Hi Kathleen! I also hope you are doing well and don't do too much EVEN if you are feeling good! Isn't it funny we are all ordering you to take it easy!!

I hope 2011 is a great year for you!
hale_bopp
15 years ago
Good news Kath!!! Happy New Year! : D

Blessings,
Haley
User
15 years ago
Hi Kath,
Glad to see you back. Take it easy and enjoy the New Year!

Cheers,
Peggy
kacram
15 years ago
Yea! I "saw" you on facebook! Glad you are well!!!!!!!!!!
petaloid
15 years ago
Thank you for the status report and happy to hear you are doing well.

Keep following doctor's orders, okay?
ruthieg__tx
15 years ago
Wonderful...keep up the good work but don't over do it...slow and easy.....
jannie
15 years ago
Glad it's over. But be careful-don't climb stairs, don't vacuum, no heavy lifting for a while.
socks
15 years ago
That's such good news. As others have said, don't overdo it. Just go slow and easy for now. You'll be up to speed soon enough; take advantage of this opportunity to rest.
lindyluwho
15 years ago
I am so glad you posted. I've been worried about you. Glad you are on the mend. Keep us posted.

Linda
lynn_d
15 years ago
Good luck, Kathleen! Don't over do things and of course) watch your intake...and stay away from anyone you even think might have a sniffle!
roseluver
15 years ago
Yeah!!! Take it easy and Happy New Year!!!
Linda Wayman
15 years ago
Glad things went smoothly and you are feeling okay. Take it easy to help prevent complications. Happy New Year to you.
Linda
donna37
15 years ago
Good to hear you're doing well. Just take it slow and easy.
minnie_tx
15 years ago
good news a great way to start the year !!!
taigen_gw
15 years ago
That is great news! So glad you are doing well...what a great opportunity for you be be on the road to a healthy life style. Wishing you well :)
kim_okla
15 years ago
I'm glad to know you're doing well.
Lindsey_CA
15 years ago
What a great way to start the new year! As the others have said, take it easy and don't try to do too much just because you're feeling OK. But you're a nurse, you know that!! :-)
susan_on
15 years ago
So glad you're doing ok. Just don't overdo!
wildchild
15 years ago
So glad to see all went well. Take care of yourself Kath.
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all the good thoughts. We've been playing card games and just watched "Fried Green Tomatoes". I've been trying to stay up as much as possible today because I kept taking naps the last few days...can't walk if I'm napping and I sure don't want a blood clot.

The only restriction I have is heavy lifting, I can climb stairs...yeah, like that's going to happen! Glad I'll have all this time off to spend more time here at the KT. What with the exchange students, my kids and work I've barely been here lately.
Granlan_TX
15 years ago
Keeping my fingers crossed for you Kath...I admire what you're doing and wish you all the best!
yayagal
15 years ago
Great news. Yes, keep walking and don't sit for extended time. Also remember that you have internal stitches. They take time to heal and you don't want to get adhesions. Drink lots of water, it's important. May 2011 be your dream come true!!!
tami_ohio
15 years ago
Glad to hear you are doing ok.
sleeperblues
15 years ago
Glad you are doing well and hope you lose all the weight you want. Happy New Year, happy new you!
hayjud_mn
15 years ago
Kath,
I'm so glad it is all going so well for you. I think napping during this time is normal, isn't it? As long as you take short naps during the day and able to sleep at night.

I look forward to hearing about the big difference this will make in your life and self esteme. You seemed to have a lot of energy before, just think of what you will be able to accomplish after this all heals.

Sounds like 2011 is going to be exciting!
lydia1959
15 years ago
Great to hear. Looking forward to more updates as time goes on.
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, thanks, this post never seems to go away, does it? lol. Today was a worn out day for me. Made crock pot dinner for the kids, but started it too late in the day, it took forever. Have been having some nausea and trying to get all the protein and other stuff I'm supposed to take down was harder today. Asked Alex to get me some ginger root so I could make some tea and it's helped.

Reminds me I still have to take my multi vitamins. GACK!
Charlee_MO
15 years ago
Kathleen, I'm sorry to hear this. I guess this surgery is alot like any other, around days three-five post-op you feel kinda cruddy.
Hope you get to feeling better soon.

You're in my prayers.

Charlee
brightonborn
15 years ago
Good to hear Kath..just keep drinking the liquids.It gets trying at times..but you must follow the rules..or you end up back in the hospital..dehydrated.

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