Category: Milestones

The Old Two-Day Meeting Test

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Well, nothing like an hour and a half drive and two full days of meetings to test one’s fatigue and stamina!

I had to attend a two day conference where just getting there was a first test. Driving an hour and a half away was the longest I have driven along since my surgery. It’s an easy drive, but one must concentrate on staying focused while driving. I did…I arrived…I was tired. I would have preferred to close my eyes for 15 minutes, but the agenda would wait for no one.

Paying attention, listening, interacting, taken notes, and just plain old thinking took their toll on me both days. We have very few meaningful breaks where I could rest properly and one day we worked through lunch while we ate, so I had not chance to leave and rest. I made the drive home and promptly just wanted to settle into a hot tub and soak my tension away – which I did!

I don’t expect anyone to understand what I’m going through and I certainly hope no one thought I was bored or falling asleep those few times I actually had to close my eyes during the meetings, but I had to take care of ME. I’m only a little over four months about. I may look fine, but I still have my days and times when it’s a struggle.

Well, at least I look better than I did four months ago! 🙂

 

A Clean and a Cut

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At the 15-week mark I got my hair cut! I wasn’t sure how having someone else comb and pull my hair would feel, but she was great and the process wasn’t too bad. My scalp is still numb and there is activity still going on with those pesky nerves, so there has been a lot of “activity” since I got home from the hair stylist.

Feels great to have a hair cut and have something better to work with. I still have the section of bangs that is sticking straight up, but the rest of the bangs have been cut around that section as it continues to grow out around the incision They surgical team at Maine Med did a great job shaving/cutting the hair prior to surgery.
My hair stylist had a lot of questions about the procedure and everything that was involved and how I felt. I never have a problem discussing it if I’m asked.

Also this week, I finally made that dentist appointment I have had to cancel twice because of the pain from my jaw muscle. I can’t say this appointment was pleasant, but I got through it. My jaw was sore afterwards and the antibiotics I have to take before each dental visit make me feel lousy too. Double whammy. And this was just a cleaning!

Back At Work Full Time

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It’s only Wednesday, but I’ve worked for 8 hours every day this week so far. Monday and Tuesday in the office and today from home. So far, so good. Haven’t fallen asleep or fallen down the stairs, so that’s a positive sign.

Monday I had a pretty good headache by the time I got home and was very tired. Tuesday was VERY tired all day, but no headache. Today I had a headache all day. Almost called it a half a day, but stuck it out after two Tylenol after lunch and even made a pretty good dinner. EXTREMELY exhausted right now. Forgot to call my mom today…hope she forgives me! I’ll do it tomorrow.

As I start to develop fatigue during the day, I get this zinging pain around the bone plate area. They don’t last long, thank God, but they’re very sudden. Almost like a little electric shock being sent through a pointer. Very sudden, sharp pain, then it’s gone.

My scalp is still numb. Maybe a LITTLE bit more feeling back. Hard to tell just yet. At least taking showers doesn’t wipe me out as much. My jaw is still hurting through. Sometimes it’ll get a longer, aching pain and other times it’s a zinger pain like the head pain is.

I now have one side burn. ONE. LOL The hair around my ear has grown back, but it’s not long enough to go behind my ear with my glasses, so it has a tendency to stick out straight. Thankfully the rest of my hair can cover it for a bit.

The few people who know I’m back at work have been very welcoming. I didn’t see any of them while I was out these two months. Thankfully, I didn’t have a huge pile of jobs waiting for me when I got back and I have a good project to work on that will keep me busy, but isn’t terribly pressing so I can take my time with it. I know the fatigue will be with me for a while, so I’m extremely thankful to work for a company that allows me to work from home so I don’t have to get up as early and worry about the drive. Dave has been driving me this week.

Hopefully tomorrow and Friday won’t be too tough and I can catch up on my rest this weekend. But, it’s another milestone I’m getting through getting back to the real world. I’m one of the lucky ones.

Day of Rest?

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Today was supposed to be my day of rest after working yesterday, but I’m not sure I did such a good job of it. I was tired when I woke up…or rather when my cat woke me up, over and over again, but not as bad as I was expecting to be. I’m pretty sure the good nap yesterday helped.

I wanted to try driving again and Dave needed to go in to town, so I offered to drive. This time I drove into town and back home. It was a bit of a struggle on the way back as I could feel my confidence and awareness waining. It was the perfect amount of time and distance to try this out again.

Had a pretty good headache when I got home and needed to lay down and rest. I did not rest enough though. Should have napped. Tomorrow could be interesting, but I got a full drive in today, so I’m proud of myself for getting that done. Need to do it more. One day at a time.