A Short Update on My Recovery

1. Saw the doctor today and the incision on my throat is healed enough that I don’t need to cover it anymore; I can shower without bandaging it or even bathe or SWIM for the first time in months!

2. It’s been long enough for both my artificial (lumbar and cervical) discs to heal, that I’m FINALLY cleared to safely start physical therapy. I’ve never been so happy to do exercise! I’ve gained 16 pounds thanks to all of this sitting around, and inability to start the exercises (other than daily walks), and the only way I’ll know how I feel with these discs is by actually using them, so I’m really excited to get started!

3. I’m allowed to start driving as soon as I don’t feel drugged anymore, and one more week on this gabapentin and I’ll be allowed to stop taking them FINALLY. It’s been months of feeling drowsy much of the day, and inexplicably wide awake late at night. So I can’t wait to feel clear headed AND be able to drive myself around again! (This is by far the longest I’ve gone without driving since I got my permit at 15.)

4. As a nurse, my hospital requires me to be back to 100% full capacity without restrictions to return to work. My goal and plan that we are confident about is to get me back there late August, unrestricted. I also really look forward to being able to play sports again; I haven’t been able to play tennis in over a decade or softball in over 5 years.