Day 7 – one whole week done
Well today is a special day, as I am one whole week done post surgery and despite feeling a bit tired I am very happy to be reaching this milestone.
Milestones are great markers aren’t they?
They tell us how far we have come and how far we have to go.
They tell us to take a rest and stop and reflect on what’s happened.
My one week milestone has a lot to offer me.
A week when I have more than managed the pain.
A week when my lovely family rallied around and supported me so much.
A week when my vases have been full to overflowing with flowers, flowers and more flowers.
A week when friends and family have visited and called to remind me that I mean something to them.
As I sit on this milestone, I am drawn to what is going on in my body right now.
I can feel a tiredness in my lower back which has come about due to a slightly longer walk than is necessary at this time.
What is that pain telling me? Do less and more often. Shorter walks, three times a day rather than one long walk.
I have a tightness around the wound. This is normal, a reminder that the skin is healing and everything underneath the epidermis too, which I cannot see but can still feel.
I have pins and needles in my toes.
This is normal too. After being flattened for months, nigh on years this nerve is going to take longer than a week to remember the shape it wants to be.
Patience and time – the two most powerful warriors in the recovery journey.
I need to keep them by my side.
The flowers I mentioned above have been so useful and helpful this past week too.
As it is peony season, many blooms have made it into my home.
Some opened straight away, some remained curled up, tightly holding their petals for one more week. Whether open or closed, each peony bloom has shared a key element with me.
Energy.
Their energy which erupts at this time of the year is essential to the healing process too.
I’m enjoying dipping into the book Light Rains Sometimes fall by Lev Parikian who describes a British year through Japan’s 72 seasons. By sheer coincidence this week was marked as Peonies bloom at last. This is what they write –
‘The unleashing of the peonies’ energy is the most dramatic change of this season. One minute they were tight as a furled umbrella, the next they were out in all their flumpfed-up glory, somehow pulling off the twin trick of majesty and camp outrageousness. They won’t be around for long, but they more than make their presence felt while they are.’
I am sharing a few photos of these energetic treasures, in bud, in bloom and in death. Each milestone is perfect.
