Update

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I’m on day 10 at home. I’m having a headache pretty much every morning. Some days much worse than others. I’m finding that if I do too much in the morning, which is when I feel the best after breakfast and a pain pill, I feel much worse around 1:00 and the rest of the afternoon. So, today I experimented and did nothing this morning. Literally nothing. I have felt much better this afternoon and just took a shower. I guess I might be overdoing it. I didn’t think so, but perhaps my head is telling me otherwise. Some days it’s an all-day headache that even the Vicadin won’t touch. I’ve been given permission from the Dr. to take Sudafed when I feel it’s a sinus issue, so that’s good.

I go for my follow-up MRI on Tuesday down in Scarborough (south of Portland), but do not get the results until my visit with Dr. Kwan the following Tuesday. A nurse is coming in twice a week and the occupational therapist is in one day a week to work with me. They’re both really nice.

I’m trying to bend down a bit more each day and continue walking in the house. I can’t move quickly as that throws my
balance off and bending completely over is a no-no just yet. I’m feeling a bit more stable when walking and standing, so I think the cane might be history soon. It’s more of a safety thing right now. If I SHOULD get dizzy, or I walk outside to get the mail on an uneven surface, I’d rather have it there, than not. I haven’t attempted the stairs yet. Laundry is piling up, so I fear I’ll need to soon but I won’t be able to lift the wet clothing.

I am sleeping very well though. I’ve never been much of a napper, so just laying down in the middle of the day isn’t
easy for me. Once I do, I always fall asleep, but it’s making myself do it that’s difficult.

Yesterday I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher (sitting on a chair) as well as sorted out and threw out magazines  and catalogs (threw them all on the floor and sat down) that
have accumulated throughout the house since I left on Oct. 5th. It took a lot out of me and I paid for it later in the day. Poor Dave came home to grumpy, whiny Heidi. She’s just so unattractive. I should have stopped after the dishwasher and called that my therapy for the day. But I felt good, so I pushed it. Bad Heidi, bad. I just fear I’ll become a couch potato, so I feel I HAVE to do something, but I can’t push it. A little at a time still. I just have to remind myself I’m recovering from brain surgery!

Recipe for Recovery

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One of the kind care givers who stopped in to check on me gave me a copy of a poem a patient had written. I thought it was very appropriate.

Recipe For Recovery

    • 1 Cup of Hope
    • A Dash of Courage
    • 2 1/2 Cups of Trust
    • Several Months of Therapy
    • 4 Tablespoons of Faith
    • Work by the Load
    • A Bag of Knowledge
    • A Pinch of Reassurance
    • A Ton of Support
    • One Box of Memories
    • 2 Pints of Higher Power
    • A Handful of Friends
    • 1 Platter of Patience
    • Lots of time
    • A Plate of Mistakes
    • 1 Stack of Affirmations
    • Buckets of Tears
    • One Box of Crayons
    • A Bunch of Soft huggy things
    • 1 1/2 Gallons on Rewards
    • A good effort
    • 2 Big Bags of Understanding
  • Most important ingredient: LOVE!

Follow-Up

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Dave got confirmation today that my follow-up MRI has been scheduled for next Tuesday with my follow-up appointment
with Dr. Kwan scheduled for the following Tuesday, the 14th.

Of course I’m already nervous.

Therapy

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Yesterday I met with the nurse who will be stopping by to check on me for a few weeks and today I met the occupational therapist who will be stopping in.

I liked both ladies very much and they offered some much needed advice. The occupational therapist gave me some interesting exercises to try. One will come easy to me as we’ve played that “game” in my family for years! It’s hitting a balloon to someone or to myself. It’s a good exercise for my balance. Only to do it until I get tired or feel off-balance.

Another one is using a clothes pin on a curtain. Clipping it at different heights and grabbing it from different distances. But the most important exercise she gave me was to do everyday, functional things…like loading the dishwasher or folding laundry. Make it a goal to do it. If I have trouble, then stop and pick it up later. To not push it. It will not only give me a good gage, but it will also make me feel useful around the house.

She also stressed the importance of listening to my body. When I’m overly tired…rest. If I need to nap…nap. Also recommended a hand-held shower head which would help I think.

Also taking a short drive to get used to being in the car again. Not any destination in mind but just a drive.

Both nurses have both been here about a year and adjusting to Maine life. The occupational therapist lives nearby actually and had admired our yard and garden as she’s driven by. Maybe I’ll hire her to winterize my roses! LOL

I was exhausted after she left. I think because I did too much “work” on my computer in the morning. Got my finances in
order, which took awhile.

I meet with Kelli, the nurse again on Wednesday.