This is my 5th day at home since returning from UVA last Saturday. Every day the pain gets a tiny bit more manageable. From last Saturday - Monday, I've been pretty dosed up on pain meds and Tylenol. Yesterday (Tuesday) was the first day where the pain has ceased a tiny bit.
My in-laws, Tommy and Holly and my parents have been so incredibly helpful. They are taking care of all the cooking, cleaning, and keeping track of when I take my medicines. I couldn't imagine trying to navigate chores in my first week home.
Here are several things I've noticed about my brain in recovery mode:
I can only focus on one thing at a time - if there are multiple conversations, I can't process them all and will literally just stare at people
All of my senses are heightened. Sometimes it sounds like people are yelling when I know they are speaking in a normal voices
I can tell when my brain needs a "rest". For example, I went to get the mail yesterday and I opened some cards - then 10 minutes later, I found myself still staring at one of the cards
Here is what an average recovery day looks like for me so far in this process:
Wake up between 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.
Drink a brain recovery smoothie: spinach, cherries/blueberries, 1/2 banana, citrus, almond milk and 3 scoops of my powder mix (ground flaxseed, maca powder, spiralina, collagen, hemp seeds, ground turmeric)
Go for a short walk / restorative yoga at In Balance Yoga
Meditate
Lunch
Afternoon rest/visits/chat with the dog walkers
Dinner
Wind down with podcast or reading
Bed by 9:00 p.m.
Being in recovery makes me appreciate the little things that I normally take for granted. Yesterday, the highlight of my day was our morning walk. My senses were heightened and I welcomed the warm sunshine on my face, the birds chirping, and crisp morning air. Walking is easy for me because my brain only has to focus on moving my legs and doesn't require much mental power. It's harder for me to process conversations and tasks that require more thinking.
I'm oh so grateful for the "Give Huck Exercise" sign up that Erin has created because our little Huckster requires a lot of activity. Since I've been home, he's been to the horse barn to play with Otis and Corrine and on a trail run with Nicole. I appreciate every card, text, meal and gift that I receive daily.
My healing space is so special and I spend a lot of time in my dining room. Tommy added a shelf on the wall for some of my pretty healing things.
I am going to my first restorative yoga class today at noon and convinced my mom and mother-in-law to join me. Restorative yoga is definitely a "yin" activity and exactly what I need in recovery.
Tonight my mom is whipping up an incredible "Shirley" dinner. She won't tell me what she's planning, so stay tuned!
I appreciate all the love, thoughts, and prayers you are sending my way. Writing continues to be therapeutic for me. It's much easier for me to get words on paper, than to absorb a lot of information externally at this point.
