Sorry for the delayed update! I've decided that time is very weird when you're in the long process of recovery, or any long period of down time for that matter. When all of sudden all structure, routine, and normal feelings of energy and wellness are taken away, it's like time goes into a warp and your days somehow fill and your schedule somehow remains fairly deplete. All that to say, I'm in that warp, but I'll share a little how this time has been spent.
So I'm very grateful to say that I've gained a lot more strength than I had pre-surgery and my pain is so much better. I was experiencing all sorts of symptoms including my legs starting to give out on me again like they did way back when (10 years to be exact!). So now I've got all the strength back in my legs and my left arm again... still hoping and praying that the right arm eventually does the same thing. Yes, I'm right handed, and yes, I've tried switching that multiple times, but it's just not natural or comfortable for my brain! And so I continue to hope and try to remain patient in the waiting. (I was forewarned that it could take a while but for some reason I always think I'm going to beat the odds!) And I'm also hoping that my friend, Ned, will leave soon too! That's what my friends and I named the nodule that sits in my throat every day and makes things difficult to talk and my throat sore and hard to swallow. I've moved on from soft foods but I'm not sure that I should have considering how many times I'm choking on my food every day. Medically they call this side-effect, sore throat and dysphagia, but practically, it just means you have a long term cold and you chew your food REALLY well. Some people get their stomachs stapled and others just get spine fusions I guess.
But apart from all my complaints, I must remain grateful. For the first time, we were able to DO something to fix all my issues and I think this was such a great decision. I'm finally able to dream about my future without so much anxiety about how my body will hold up. I am so excited to go back to school soon. January 5th is my first day! I'm working on finalizing housing and school requirements to make the big move to Durham, NC. People often ask me if I'm nervous about the rigorous program at Duke, but I'm honestly more afraid of the culture shock and transition to moving to the South more than anything! I consider myself a good traveler, somewhat of a third-culture kid, and pretty good at adapting in new places, but for some reason I'm more nervous about this one. Kinda funny, I know.
Well if any of my friends have to go through a long period of down time for whatever reason, I would love to tell you how to enjoy your time warp! I've enjoyed everything from reading some of those books on my big list, writing, great walks in this fall season, trying new recipes, and great time spent with friends who've been so gracious to come visit. I've never been good at relaxing well without guilt pains, but I'm really in the process of learning how to live contentedly with or without a schedule to run your day. Although I think I'll have to put myself through a bootcamp to transition back into the life of schedules, school and studying!
Thank you all for all your sweet encouragements and immense amount of prayer in this time. Please continue to pray for full healing, for the financial aid that is pending on my bills, and for continued peace amongst so many things out of my control.
Grace and peace to each of you!
