Rick
My surgery was 8/8/08 (a day that will live in infamy) I was in the hospital for 8 days and I got nothing to eat during my stay. As I left, I was given a tray of delicious hospital fare (I left it uneaten, as I had a better offer... Mcdonalds)
I was not an unusual case in hindsight. Rudy is the Champion. I am merely an average recovery.
I just set goals. I also did not want to be a burden on my caregiver. My wife was GREAT and was really there for me. But, I still wanted to get this behind me.
I did not go crazy though. I pushed myself but was very careful not to overdo it. Walk, Walk, Walk was my mantra. I also put up photos of golfers, skiers, and racing drivers to give me encouragment.
Some of my favorite little triumphs...... I got dressed every day (I read a story of a cancer survivor who said she would not let this disease take away her dignity. I liked her style and tried to emulate it)
I talked to my friends and family about the experience (only enough so that they were comfortable in knowing that nothing was off limits) I also sat on the front porch and invited my friends to stop for a chat. Aside from the bathroom visits, they would have thought I was perfectly fine.
I think my greatest achievement was around mid Sept when my priest came over for a visit and was amazed at my progress, saying "Did you think a month ago you would feel this good?" My answer was, "heck yeah, that was the whole point!" We had a good laugh about it and he has used that in his other visits to recovering patients.
I wish I had known about this site when I was going through the surgery. I was in the middle of a tornado of activity with very little to hold onto as far as information. As I was at home recovering, I stumbled on this site and, Just as I was starting to feel very alone and slightly depressed, I found these great people who made it through, and continue with the struggle with their heads held high. Just having someone who can relate is a godsend. It also took the pressure off my wife as I could bend someone's ear that had "been there.. done that." She was surprised at how little I talk about it at home. I usually beat a subject to death as I try to wrap my mind around it. I do that here.
One final thought. Everyone recovers at a different rate. This is not a race.... Even for Rudy (the winner and still champion) You will recover, we will help with the down times. AND, You WILL laugh at it all down the road! I promise you will feel a great feeling of having taken charge of an out of control event and tamed it.
George.......sorry for the crushing word count
