Post Op Part 2

I don’t do sick well. I’m one of these weird folks who actually likes to work and, if I’m not working, to be doing something in general. So, when my surgeon told me I had ten days post surgery to do NOTHING, I thought I was going to go bonkers!

Thankfully, the first five days, I spent mostly napping, couch surfing, and watching my favorite movies to recover from the anesthesia. Several friends checked in on me to make sure I wasn’t doing anything. (Admonishing me is more like it!) The next five days were spent in San Antonio celebrating my seventh wedding anniversary with my husband; thus, it was exceedingly easy to do nothing since he insisted I be spoiled.

Day 11 was a grand day! I was going back to work! Well . . . sort of. I could only do Santa stuff, no bridal. I could cut stuff out, sort of, but I couldn’t do any hand sewing. Forget writing anything–my scribble was so bad, I couldn’t even read it! Eating . . . well, that was left-handed. Actually, most things were left-handed for the first month, and everything took longer to do. I even impressed myself by learning how to use chopsticks left-handed!

Certain hand and wrist positions hurt, so I backed off and tried something else. Eventually, gradually, I could do the things that hurt. I’m now four months post surgery, and I’m still wondering why I had my knickers in a knot about it. The only thing that still bothers me now and again is writing. Most days, it’s fine, but, sometimes, my hand shakes so badly with a pen that I just have to put it down and come back to it later.

The most important bit is that I’m thrilled there’s no pain anymore. I’m ecstatic that fire needles don’t wake me in the wee hours of the morning anymore! I’m over the moon that I don’t have the numb balloon feeling in my fingers anymore. In fact, I’m so impressed by the results that I want to have the left hand done before the euphoria wears off.

It’s funny how fear keeps us from doing some things that are extremely beneficial to us. If this situation has taught me one thing, it’s that bravery comes in all forms and that I shouldn’t let fear slow me down or keep me from doing something I love.

So the next time something scares you, remember a funny seamstress in Texas who faced her fears and “got ‘R done!” There are plenty of things scarier than surgery … like an EMPTY BOBBIN! Lol!

Until next time, dear readers. May your bobbins be full and your seams straight!

Heather