Sometimes I go about with pity for myself and all the while Great Winds are carrying me across the sky.
– Ojibway Saying (quoted from The Book of Awakening)
The days leading up to Christmas must have taken their toll on me. We purposely made just super-simple plans for Christmas Day, but even those proved to take more energy than I had. It was just Mom and Tim and me for the day, and all I planned to do was make waffles for breakfast before we sat around the tree to open our gifts. Later, we would drive to Las Vegas (New Mexico, not the glitzy one in Nevada) for dinner at the Historic Plaza Hotel and then enjoy the lights of the Victorian neighborhoods surrounding the old town before heading back home.
But the morning was a rough one for me. I decided to change the ostomy bag by myself – with no supervision from the home nurse who’s been coming weekly. I encountered some minor problems (bleeding, raw skin, etc.) and without the nurse there to reassure me that all was normal, I found myself getting more agitated by the moment. After what seemed like an inordinately long time, I finally emerged from the bathroom too exhausted to prepare breakfast. Tim took over the kitchen duties while Mom and I sat by the fire. I was also experiencing more pain from sitting on the wound on my bottom, so I wasn’t in a very festive mood as we opened our gifts.
Eventually, we bundled up and headed out for our drive to Las Vegas – me with my ever-present pillow to sit on. It was a nice, clear day and the hour drive went quickly. Dinner at the Plaza Hotel was a bit of a disappointment, but we all agreed it was more about the outing and being together than about the food. But, by the time we began the drive home, I was rapidly sliding downhill. No amount of pillows were able to make me comfortable. I got crankier and crankier squirming in the passenger seat until Tim thought to ask if I had any Percocet stashed in my purse. Hallelujah! Yes! One little pill tucked away for emergencies just like this!
As soon as we got home, I immediately took up residence on the sofa, drifting around in a bit of haze until bedtime. I tried hard to remember all that I have to be grateful for (and there is so much!), but I have to admit as I laid there on the couch I was feeling a little sorry for myself.
So, on Saturday, I finally accepted that it was time to simply rest. I spent nearly the entire day lying on the sofa reading Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel The Lacuna. It was just what this frail bag of bones needed – a finely woven tale to take me away from myself and my little world. By evening I was thankful to feel more restored than I have in a while.
Tomorrow (Monday), I will have another ultrasound to see if the blood clot that once ran from my clavicle to my elbow has finally “resolved.” If so, I’ll have the port removed from my chest at 1:00 PM. If the blood clot hasn’t dissipated enough, I may have to wait a bit longer for the port to be taken out as they don’t want to risk disturbing the clot during the port removal procedure. We’ll know more tomorrow!
On Wednesday, I have an appointment to see my surgeon, Dr. Brown. The home nurse says I will get a good report (she thinks all the wounds look like they’re healing properly). I am most interested to ask him when I’m likely to start feeling like myself again!
And, on January 14th, which will be exactly six weeks after my surgery, I’ll begin taking the Xeloda again (with faith that it will assure a healthier 2010).
My New Year’s wish for each of you is that, like me, you’ll be bowled-over to find just how deeply loved you are by so many others (without the need to become ill to learn this!), and that you’ll take full advantage of the good health you now have to live just as fully as you can dream up!
A Different Wholeness 
Hi Karen, I always feel appreciative of being ‘included’ in your life experiences. Although I haven’t been to your home I feel I can peek in and see you by the fire. I contineu to marvel at your STRENGTH!! You have no idea how much you inspire me.
I think of you daily and pray for your continued recovery. I am happy that you have made a decision regarding further treatment in trusting your well-tuned intuition.
I look forward to future entries about your progress and future creative endeavors.
Loving you,
Karen
Karen
I’m smiling, because for the first day in decades, I felt like all I needed to do on Sunday was rest, and that’s what I did. I stayed in bed all day – not feeling 100% and knowing that I must just be exhausted. Amazing what a difference it made. And, if I felt that way, I can only imagine that you needed the rest too! Holiday, despite how simple we try to make them, take their toll. I know you are also trying to catch up on everything else in your life – so I’m especially glad you took a day to take it easy.
I am imagining the fireplace and the birds gathering at your bird feeder. Am also hoping the little bunny is still sneaking into the garden nibbling at what is left of the kale and other green things! Enjoy and know that so many of us are sitting beside you with thoughts of warmth and continued strength for the new year. Love you, Ali
You’re gonna SOAR, my friend…..once you start healing up & finished up with your “added insurance” xeloda, you’re gonna SOAR. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me these past several months. I would so love to see you in Key West again one of these days……and if I ever get to Santa Fe, I’m taking you out for a wonderful high calorie lunch! Hugs!!!!
hi karen
as i’m reading this, snow is falling here. pure, white, cold, lovely snow. and mackenzie is clinging to my right arm hoping for lunch and singing “i love you mama”. smart little devil knows i can’t get mad at THAT interruption. i think you are very wise to recognize the need for rest. get all you need before this next phase of things. and then move forward. xxpaula
happy new year karen
glad to hear that you are slowly recovering from the surgery and as always are able to keep a level head about all of this. there`s no way i`d be leaving the house on christmas day i don`t think and going for a drive…..well thank god for that little pill. i hope you get nothing but good news from the doctor and that 2010 is full of the love that you so greatly deserve.
love siobhan
Karen you are truely amazing. i am glad that you have decided on the xeloda followup. i know that you so badly want to be done with all the drugs so i am sure it was a tough decision for you to make. i cought up on your blogs today. Erik and i were in Naples visiting with Larry and Janeice. I couldn’t wait to get on the computer and “catch up with you”.
I think the rectal area pain may take longer to go away. i had a patient once with the same surgery and it took longer than the 6 week projected healing time, so don’t get too discouraged.
Skin around the colostomy needs to be completely covered with the wafer or it will break down and bleed. Have the ostomy nurse make sure it is fitted right. The stoma will shrink over time and a different size wafer may have to be used. i don’t know if you are cutting the whole to size yourself?? the wafer has to stick really well so stool will not leak under it. Enough on the poop issue.
i continue with prayers for you.
Love Candy