Recovery requires Plodding

Last week I passed the 3 month mark. Unfortunately there was nothing magical about it. I was hoping that it would be the date that I'd feel normal. Dream on Cheryl! These days I must describe as plodding and more plodding. I am with discomfort every day.... just part of the recooperation. When I really get discouraged about this I get my "surgery journal" out or this blog and read where I've come from... like the days I couldn't get my head up or even get myself out of the bed.

What is recovery like? It is nothing heroic. I am to either swim, walk, exercise bike or exercise machines 3-4x weekly for 20 minutes. This sounds so small to me but after I have done it I am whipped so I must fall back on that my doctor knows best.

Thinking about plodding ...it is a wonderful and tangible illustration for me of what life is like. The initial stages of recovery showed big giant steps - walking, walking unassisted, showering, showering on my own, driving, swimming. These were a great encouragement and needed to be that way. However, most of life is not walked in giant steps but in doing the next thing and doing the right thing and choosing to be content with where one is.

I still have not forgotten what it feels like to not hurt. Thankfully I know I will be there again one day... probably months from now. For now I am choosing to do what I must do and to be content and pressing on. It will get better. As my surgeon's nurse tells me -- "Be patient Gertrude!!". Another recurring thought are the words we taught our kids from a wee age that now ring in my ears. Those words were "whinning is a No No".

If you are a prayer, please pray for the constant pain in my joints. It gets old after these many days. I don't think there is any magic remedy, but just doing what I am supposed to do and staying active.

My Georgia & A Faraway Georgia

When I began preparing for my surgery, one of my desires in undertaking such a huge/massive operation is that God would allow me to be of use in other's lives who are dealing with scoliosis. Scoliosis is not a widespread disease and few people need to undergo corrective surgery. I have had the privilege of meeting two people dealing with this condition. One lives nearby in "my Georgia" and the other in Tiblisi, Georgia. The one locally is a woman who will be having this surgery in June. It has already created a bond between us. Everyone has experienced how helpful it is to know someone who has gone through what we are going through no matter if it is a physical or an emotional condition. It is a blessing to have another to help you along, to suppport and encourage you. This is what is developing between Jean and I.

The "other Georgia" is a doctor I have connected with from Tiblisi, Georgia (formerly part of USSR). Presently there is nothing in his country to treat or even advise scoliosis patients. He ultimately would like to begin a clinic in his country for just such a purpose. As God's providence would have it I have been able to connect him to my surgeon to discuss just such a venture.