Yep, so in case you haven’t heard, I’m having surgery on my screwed up right foot next Friday. When I was first notified by my foot doc’s boarding department of the date, it felt like forever. Now, it feels too soon.
I have an impressive to-do list. I took on extra work for my VA clients because I wanted my first week of recovery to be easier. Which means…I have lots more work to do than usual. Like, I have two newsletters to put together before my surgery. One for a client, which I am totally okay with as I was the one to suggest it, and one for myself because I was an idiot and signed up to do a promo the day after my surgery. So that needs doing.
My mom and sister have been AMAZING. I decided that I should have frozen meals to get me through that first week (and possibly beyond). The original plan was the three of us were to make the meals. Except…I got bogged down in work so sister and my mom took over. And did they ever! Holy crap, it the past I don’t know, five days or so, they’ve made 4 or 5 meals already! So that’s been happening. I also need to pick up my scooter once the medical supply place calls. I know the surgery is scheduled for 7:30am but I am assuming they will want me there earlier. I’ll have a pain ball, and as I’ve never had one I have no idea what it’ll do to me besides numb my leg. Same with painkillers. I have lofty plans of returning to work on the latter part of the following week but I just don’t know.
I need to get anything from my office I will need as I won’t be going down there for like, ever—actually four to six weeks. I also need to write out my medication list for the hospital because my memory sucks when put on the spot.
I also took on two editing jobs that I need to finish ASAP. I love these two clients and wouldn’t dream of turning them down. It’ll be a bit tight but I know I can do it. Added to that is my immune system. I’m doing my best to get enough sleep so I don’t get sick and have to reschedule. Sometimes I shortchange myself on sleep…but not now.
And lastly…the emotional part of things. I’m trying to come at this gradually. I’ve had foot surgery before (the Great Ankle Joint Issue of 2011 which was a year of a brace, a cast, and eventually surgery) but nothing this extensive. I am preparing for pain. The fact that my mobility will be tied to a scooter. The fact that I won’t be going anywhere but the doctor’s office. The post-op cast. The rehab. I really hate being sidelined. I’m not the type of person who enjoys being laid up. A writer friend asked me if I’d have a good long recovery and I was like, “Ha ha, no. I’m not built that way. I’m going back to work.” But…my clients have been awesome about this…I’m afraid I WON’T be able to come back right away. Pain, painkillers…etc. And that part scares me. Fighting my damn body to do what I need to do. I’m already making contingency plans for writing (voice recognition) because I can’t possibly not write for an even longer period…but then again, I may not feel up to it and maybe I just need to chill and let myself heal. I am so bad at that, you don’t even know!
So, yeah, just counting down the days and hoping all goes well. Hoping to put this behind me as soon as I can. Because I hate not being able to walk. You never realize how much you depend on it until the ability is taken away from you. Every time I need something from downstairs, hubby or my mom has to grab it. I can’t help with grocery shopping or feeding the cat or the laundry. It’s temporary but I still feel bad every time someone has to do something for me. Ugh.
Anyway…wish me luck, and I’ll see you on the flip side. Expect a full report next time I blog. I should be coherent by then. 😉 Hopefully. Or maybe I’ll be doped up and what I write won’t make any sense. You’ll just have to see.