Things have gotten progressively better since we got home. The first day was sort of miserable- I walked three times that day, tried to drink all my water, and was so exhausted by it all that I wanted to take a nap but felt like I couldn't because I couldn't get in all the water if I was sleeping! I ended up daying a nap anyway. :) Since then things have gotten better. I've been able to get all my water in most days, and I've eaten all the things I'm supposed to eat (and not eaten the things I'm not supposed to eat!). It's tough, but not that bad. I've started the Compass Aftercare Program- I just printed off module one, I highly recommend it. It's been pretty interesting so far. I think that Compass sells the program to people who have had surgery but not through them. It provides some great insight and tips, and comforting "what most people feel at this stage" examples. It's nice to know that what I'm feeling is normal, and the bad stuff will pass. :)
Well, it's been a busy month! :) We stayed with my parents in Rhode Island until Aug. 27th. While we were there we house sat for them while they went on a trip down south- that was nice. We came back up a few days before Labor Day so that I could have some time to get ready for the new school year, and we could get settled back into some kind of routine at home. I'm glad we came back when we did- it seems like there's been so much to do. I picked up the mail that we had the post office hold while we were away on Wednesday, and Thanasi and I went shopping, which was surprisingly okay. He insisted on coming, mostly because I can't lift the heavy shopping bags- usually I go alone, but it went pretty well. I will be able to lift things again in a few weeks. On Thursday I had my first "bad food" incident- well, it wasn't the food that was bad, but the thought o beef jerky kind of still makes me nauseous. I had had some beef jerky on Tuesday and Wednesday, and it went down fine and it gave me something good to chew, and it was a good source of protein. I had some on Thursday and I either ate too much of it, or I didn't chew it well enough- either way, my tummy hurt! I have had some discomfort eating different foods before, but nothing like this- I thought I would pass out from the pain! It was terrible! But after about an hour or so, it passed, and I was ok- but a little sore. Another bit of "food for thought..." I made some chicken stew on Thursday- it went down really well! I used zucchini, cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, and chicken, and poured some seasoned chicken broth in with it all, turned on the crockpot and let it cook away. It was pretty good, it should last us awhile. I wish I could have put more chicken in it, and maybe some more seasonings, but I'll remember that for next time. I meant to put potatoes in it, but I totally forgot. That's ok- it was good, and Thanasi liked it. It was EXCELLENT with some grated parm. cheese. The Healthy Choice soups were pretty good, too- also with parm. cheese. :) Saturday I went to Borders to hang out for the first time. Amazing- I didn't even really miss my cinnamon bun, even when the lady at the next table ate one! It looked dry and icky, like it would get stuck in my throat. I sat and did some planning for the first month of school, and didn't even have any coffee. I think that's a first! And I didn't even miss my super huge mocha coffees, either. :) We went back on Sunday, with Karen, and I got a decaf coffee with a raspberry flavor shot (sugar free)- it was okay. I think I like decaf coffee better. I don't feel as thirsty afterwards, and Thanasi says the same thing, so I can't be that crazy. :) Today Thanasi made me eggs- it was another one of those things- they went down fine the first time he made them for me a few days ago, today, I thought they were going to come back up! Thankfully my tummy didn't hurt as much- I prefer nausea to stabbing pains, I think. :) Other than that, things have been going pretty well. I have been working at school all this week, I think I might have overdone things a little- that spot on my abdomen had been fine, but it was really sore after one day at school. Of course, I was climbing up on chairs to put up posters and stuff, that could have had something to do with it. But, I learned how to pace myself better, and the rest of the week went fine. I hope it goes just as well this week when there are students there. :)
P.S. Matt called me today to tell me that they had put Fluffy to sleep earlier today. She was 19 years old. Thanasi and I went out to drive around so I wouldn't be tempted to snack- I realized that I didn't even feel like it. I felt so much better talking to Thanasi and crying on his shoulder than I ever would have felt by downing a pint of Ben & Jerry's. The worst part about facing your feelings is just that- I have to deal with the real problem. It's sad, but it's comforting to know that she had a long life, and that she was well-loved, and she didn't suffer. *sigh* More to come...