surgery

If I have learnt one thing in my 65 years on this planet it’s this, you will never know what a day will bring.

Last night when I hopped into bed my heart started having intense palpitations like I have never experienced before. I put it down to the raft of pain meds I am on after major dental surgery last week.

I woke at 4am and as soon as I stood up the world started spinning and I crashed onto the floor. Unfortunately this woke my Wife and she was instantly concerned. I assured her I was ok and must have slipped. I tried getting up again and this time crashed down harder. She had the presence of mind to get my blood pressure machine and it registered 88 over 64. Normally my bp is about 130/90. I knew trying to get up again was futile so we called an ambulance.

I was devastated. Over the past few years there have been 10 surgeries my Wife has nursed me through and emotionally she is exhausted. Here we were another medical emergency.

She didn’t come in the ambulance with me. I assured her I understood and was fully supportive of her decision. Two years on if she hears the words “code blue” she freezes. I am ok with the words as I have no recollection of the incident.

Self pity started knocking on my door today. I sent it away. Yes, it’s a major disappointment and the CT scan of my brain won’t be reviewed until tomorrow as it’s a public holiday today.

Whatever happens I know, in Australia we have amazing medical care. It’s not cheap but it is extremely good. My family made sure someone was with me all day. Many people have no one.

I didn’t break a bone which is amazing considering my current poor bone density.

I thinks it’s critical we never try and intertwine depression and self pity together. Depression is not a choice. It’s a medical condition. It’s horrendous. It doesn’t discriminate.

Yet, in spite of what’s happening around me, God help me to see what is going right even though there are many things going wrong.

The photo is my youngest Granddaughter. She had the miseries one day and wanted everyone to know about it. As is her way, 5 minutes after the photo she found reasons to be grateful. May I always follow her great example.

Hi everyone. Three days ago I went into hospital and had all my upper teeth removed and dental implants put in their place. This is a decision I have been putting off for a few years but the deterioration of my teeth left me without many options.

Practically this means only soft foods for the next 4-6 months. As you can see from the photo I look like a teddy bear at the moment. Since that photo black eyes and black cheeks have emerged. I am trying to focus on the end results. The swelling will retreat and the black eyes will heal. It’s the yucky in between season I hate. I am sure you can relate.

I am typing this from a hospital bed. It’s been two years since I have been in hospital. That was a crazy season of 7 surgeries in 8 months.

Tomorrow I say goodbye to my appendix. I won’t miss it at all!!!!!

I’m just a couple of weeks short of being five months recovered from my emergency surgery right after Christmas. I feel like I’m FINALLY getting back to my baseline — take that skull removal!

This entire period has felt like one long test in endurance and patience. I kept telling myself “you WILL get better, just keep going” and I feel like it’s finally coming true.

Here’s what’s kept me going:

📱 Group text chats where I don’t have to filter myself

📚 Books and all of the goodness that is my local library

🧘‍♀️ The concept of yoga (I knew that once I felt up to practicing again, that it would be a huge milestone for me)

🐶 My dog, Doxon, who has not left my side and slept with me on the couch for THREE whole months

🍭 Hot Tamales (the candy… such a comfort treat for me!)

What about you?

#CheckInWithMe #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #RareDisease #Migraine #Surgery #CheerMeOn