Non-productivity and the proletariat

Despite my numerous days free of the burden of toil and the respite from practically anything I deemed unnecessarily taxing to my post-operative self, I haven't really done a damn thing for the last 10 days! I slept alot which was nice, I guess. But I couldn't lay on my side or my stomach for several days and even now I'm still a bit tender when I do. The stack of books on my bedside table just soaked up the moisture that collected on the outside of my glass every time I had it refilled and, for one reason or another, didn't use the coaster. Note that I "had it refilled" (the italics are mine, obviously) because rising from even a slightly reclined position was no easy or pleasant task. It still isn't, honestly.

I did venture into the outside world though for various errands and whatnot but I was usually tagging along just to get out of the house. If you happened to see any guys walking around with an unusual and slow deliberateness wearing flip-flops, loosely fitting athletic shorts or pajama pants and an equally loose shirt while simulatenously retaining his Adonic charisma, that may have been me. Actually, I still can't wear regular pants or shorts comfortably due to the tenderness and the stitches that remain covered with the original tape. Nevertheless, I have managed to begin resuming those activities that don't necessarily require extensive range-of-motion on my part but still provide enjoyment such as crocheting a nice hat, reading a new book, cooking a savory meal...or doin' the nasty. You were thinking it, don't try to say that you weren't.

Stayin' Alive

So I made it through surgery. Not that I'm surprised or anything but I did get this pathetically morbid feeling as they wheeled me into the Operating Room. "So this is where it all ends". But I woke up shortly thereafter in the Recover Room only to learn that I couldn't leave until I peed into the little plastic thing. I had a glass or two of water and was finally able to squeeze out a few drops, literally. And each one burned as if it were battery acid. I guess they don't tell you about the catheter until after the surgery. I certainly would've refused it had I been given a choice. I was told that another catheter would be put in if I didn't pee so the floodgate on my IV was opened and I had a few more glasses of water (around 8 in total) and two cups of coffee. Eventually, I expelled just under 100 mL and begged the nurse to let it slide. After a second bladder ultrasound showed that, despite all the fluids, my bladder was pretty much empty I was allowed to leave. It's funny how eager the hospital is to get rid of you after surgery, especially in light of the fact that I was called in several hours early before the surgery ("the Doctor is moving rather quickly") and then forced to wait several hours.

Now it's just me and my new bedmate, Lori Tab. She's nice enough but I guess I expected her to be a bit more exciting. I'm sure she'd be alot more entertaining with a glass of wine but apparently she's not much of a drinker. It's probably for the best though.

Going under

Normally, by this time I would be brushing my teeth and searching for my keys so that I can make it to work on time. But this Thursday is a bit different. I'll be going in for minor surgery at eleven this morning. I'm not worried about the procedure itself but I am hungry and I want coffee (no eating or drinking after midnight, remember). It'll be a quick in-out sort of thing but I'm not sure what I'll be doing with my time off from work. I was planning on knitting something with some bargain yarn I bought at the Salvation Army (17 balls of an orange Italian wool blend DK yarn, 50g each). I remember seeing the bag of yarn with a little paper inside from the original store that had the $80+ price tag with a discounted price underneath that one and then seeing the cheap little sticker from the Salvation Army that had something ridiculous like $2 on it. I've had it for awhile but I figured now would be the time to use it. I've got some knitting needles in my trunk from yard sales past but I still don't have a pattern. I'm thinking about mittens with detachable fingers for the winter; I've got plenty of scarves and I don't like wearing thick socks as my feet get sweaty pretty quickly. I'd love to make an actual article of clothing but I don't have enough yarn for a sweater. Sad face.

I've also got a stack of books beside my bed, just in case the boredom becomes too intense. I'm not much of a reader though. Let's see...I've got 1001 Puzzles to Challenge Your Brain, Following Your Path by Dickerman, Jose Silva's Ultramind ESP System by Bernd, The 21 Lessons of Merlyn: A Study in Druid Magic & Lore by Monroe, The Witness of the Stars by Bullinger, and I Will Fear No Evil by Robert A. Heinlein. It's doubtful that I'll (want to) finish any of these books in the short week that I'll be out of work so I'll probably just do a few puzzles and ignore the others. But there's always Hulu and the collection of DVD's that's gathered itself next to the bookshelf in the living room. That's like reading only better.

Ugh...I'm starving. My intention was to gorge myself at a quarter til eleven. After some fried chicken and my second glass of wine, I fell asleep and awoke again just before midnight. I wasn't hungry so I went back to sleep. It was dark when I opened my eyes next but too late to go back to sleep. The nervousness in combination with my programmed alarm clock wouldn't allow it. So here I am. Stuck. Waiting. Hungry.

I wish I had taken the earlier rescheduling when they called yesterday. But I figured sleeping in would be better than getting to the hospital by eight. Dammit.

April Showers...

Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to go your way? Your bed apparently doesn't have a "right side" and by mid-morning you're ready to pull your hair out and it just keeps getting worse as the day progresses. You tell yourself that the day will be over soon enough and that tomorrow is a brand new day. Well, April was like that for me. A slow but steady descent into my own personal hell with the occasional glimmer of hope that exists only so that it may be smashed in a reiteration of my inadequacy.

But it's May now and hopefully things will start to look up. I'll be starting the month off right with a trip to Disney followed by a short excursion in South Florida. Hopefully,"'The Happiest Place on Earth" will be just that, despite my recent downtroddenness. And I'm sure a few relaxing days by the pool would me good. I better pack my sunscreen though; the last thing I need or want is a blistering sunburn! I have a tendency to burn quickly and easily and I'm not about to push my luck.