On this, the 4-month anniversary (or “annie”-versary) of my ruptured aneurysm and coiling surgery, I am trying to reflect on what I HAVE been able to accomplish during my recovery, instead of what I still can’t do. It goes something like this

Four months from the time of my ruptured aneurysm, I am able to:

Bend over without getting dizzy.

Lift things heavier than a breakfast tray.

Fill and unload the dishwasher without the aid of sitting down.

Go downstairs to the basement.

Do laundry.

Go downstairs to feed the cats.

Shower and bath unaided by a seat.

Dry my hair standing up.

Make meals.

Sit at the computer for a few hours.

Lay down without my head pounding.

Control most head pain I have without Vicodin, but with Tylenol.

Go into a store, albeit smaller ones still.

Drive!

Go to work part-time.

Sneeze without fear of my coils exploding.

Go to a movie.

Fill the bird feeders.

Walk without the aid of a cane.

Laugh and not get too exhausted.

See my psychologist.

Read a little bit more and it doesn’t bother me.

Make the bed.

Make love. (it’s gotta be said for those other survivors who are reading this and are nervous about themselves.)

Bake a cake.

Clean the house a little bit more.

Speak to other annie survivors.

Plan my future!

LIVE!

I’m sure there are more things I’m forgetting, but those are the biggies that I’m recalling needing so much assistance with during those first few weeks when I arrived home after 20 days in the hospital. There are still downsides to my recovery, but today I choose to acknowledge the things I CAN do now, that I wasn’t able to before. ‘nuff said.