Every day of my life is a new beginning. The opportunity to achieve, produce, improve, or just plain live is enhanced by occupying a physical body that is fit and strong. Even when a day has been wasted in whatever way it was misspent, there is the likelihood that there are more days remaining to make up for lost time than there used to be.
It is not enough, however, to simply work, play, and fulfill obligations with the renewed vigor that each day brings. There are and always will be improvements to make in all parts of life. It is a MUST to have goals to pursue. To this end, organization and structure of one's time is necessary. Consistent study and practice are the only way to achieve any endeavor.
So what are my major goals and objectives? In the physical realm, training for increased strength and fitness is always top priority. This, in turn, enhances my performance in all things physical and mental. Bowling is my number one physical passion. It is no coincidence that while I'm by light-years in the best physical condition of my life, my skills as a bowler are the best they've ever been and getting better. The stronger and fitter I become, the more finely tuned and controlled my game gets. Better push-off step, stronger release, more extended follow-through, etc. It all adds up to (usually) stellar results.
In the arena of the mental, my main interests are chess and mathematics. These are areas that require study time that I am highly in need of organizing. It is my desire to renew and relearn calculus from the self-teaching manuals I have acquired. Also, I have been wanting to become as proficient as possible with Microsoft Office 2010 software as possible. Obviously, a regular study and practice time schedule is necessary for those pursuits while procrastination must be put to an end.
There is a requirement for fitness and strength in tournament chess as well. If you spend the time and money it takes to compete in tourneys, then you need stamina to exert the mental energy required to play serious, contested, and often very lengthy matches. It stands to reason that the fitter you are, the clearer and more focused your mind becomes. At times I am in high form and playing strong, but usually my play is erratic and inconsistent. Organized study time needs to be applied here as well.
With physical and mental competition and educational pursuits desire, discipline, organization, and determination are what it takes to become the best me (and you) that I (and you) can be.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Are Pro Bowlers Athletes?
Are pro bowlers athletes?
You have heard that question before, and you will hear it again and again.
The PBA official yearbook tells us that within a 42 game tournament, players will lift more than five tons, carrying it for a total of two miles while projecting the ball more than 700 times at an average speed of 17 mph at a target 60 feet away.
Dictionaries tell us that an athlete is one who contends for a prize. The word books also define an athlete as anyone trained or fit to contend in exercises requiring physical agility, stamina, and often strength.
The pro bowler fits. Though strength is helpful and even necessary at times, the type needed in pro bowling is not the brute strength so needed in the heavy contact sports.
In pro bowling, timing, coordination, and a delicate touch at times add up to a high degree of fitness to go along with measured force to score consistently. However, pro bowling takes rhythm, balance, and skilled muscular effort. The muscles must be supple and toned, always in shape, but not necessarily rock hard.
A pro bowler must be highly competitive. He pays to play, unlike baseball, football, basketball and other players who are paid to play. The bowler's pay is what he wins, and he cashes well only with superior performances.
Dedication is a must for any successful athlete. A pro bowler must spend long hours for many years perfectly maintaining and adjusting his skills. Too many times a pro bowler is classed with the average fun bowler.
That's akin to equating a touch football game at a picnic with the Super Bowl and a company softball game with the World Series.
A pro bowler rolls more games in a week than the average bowler rolls in a year. He probably spends more time in actual competition than any other sports performer. A pro bowler is firing away on the lanes more than seven hours a day. The total time involved, back and forth between squads, preparation (checking equipment and studying lane conditions) can more often than not add up to a 12 hour day.
There's no relaxing at any stage. Each and every roll of the ball counts since the total score takes in every game. There must be the utmost ability to concentrate under constant pressure, on TV, and in a sport where you're always in a crowd, yet always all alone.
Spectators are only a few feet away from the competing bowlers. You sit next to other bowlers, yet it's you against the conditions and the pins. No teammate to help, nobody to coach or instruct once you're on that approach. You roll your way out of trouble or wait until the next time.
Pro bowling has become a sophisticated and scientific sport. You must adjust practically every game to every lane. You must learn about equipment, lane surfaces, lane finishes, lane dressings, and other variables, each in themselves worthy of deep study and plenty of homework. The sport looks simple. It is simple to play, difficult to master, impossible to conquer. Each higher average plateau is a new challenge, tougher in every way, and the pro side is the highest peak.
There are millions upon millions of bowlers. Only a few thousand average really high while those good enough to make a living at the sport can be counted in the hundreds.
Is a pro bowler an athlete? If you rate physical contact and brute strength at the top of your list, the answer is an emphatic no. But if you add up the definite skills and knowledge, physical and mental, necessary to success, there is little doubt that a pro bowler must be ranked as an outstanding athlete.
You have heard that question before, and you will hear it again and again.
The PBA official yearbook tells us that within a 42 game tournament, players will lift more than five tons, carrying it for a total of two miles while projecting the ball more than 700 times at an average speed of 17 mph at a target 60 feet away.
Dictionaries tell us that an athlete is one who contends for a prize. The word books also define an athlete as anyone trained or fit to contend in exercises requiring physical agility, stamina, and often strength.
The pro bowler fits. Though strength is helpful and even necessary at times, the type needed in pro bowling is not the brute strength so needed in the heavy contact sports.
In pro bowling, timing, coordination, and a delicate touch at times add up to a high degree of fitness to go along with measured force to score consistently. However, pro bowling takes rhythm, balance, and skilled muscular effort. The muscles must be supple and toned, always in shape, but not necessarily rock hard.
A pro bowler must be highly competitive. He pays to play, unlike baseball, football, basketball and other players who are paid to play. The bowler's pay is what he wins, and he cashes well only with superior performances.
Dedication is a must for any successful athlete. A pro bowler must spend long hours for many years perfectly maintaining and adjusting his skills. Too many times a pro bowler is classed with the average fun bowler.
That's akin to equating a touch football game at a picnic with the Super Bowl and a company softball game with the World Series.
A pro bowler rolls more games in a week than the average bowler rolls in a year. He probably spends more time in actual competition than any other sports performer. A pro bowler is firing away on the lanes more than seven hours a day. The total time involved, back and forth between squads, preparation (checking equipment and studying lane conditions) can more often than not add up to a 12 hour day.
There's no relaxing at any stage. Each and every roll of the ball counts since the total score takes in every game. There must be the utmost ability to concentrate under constant pressure, on TV, and in a sport where you're always in a crowd, yet always all alone.
Spectators are only a few feet away from the competing bowlers. You sit next to other bowlers, yet it's you against the conditions and the pins. No teammate to help, nobody to coach or instruct once you're on that approach. You roll your way out of trouble or wait until the next time.
Pro bowling has become a sophisticated and scientific sport. You must adjust practically every game to every lane. You must learn about equipment, lane surfaces, lane finishes, lane dressings, and other variables, each in themselves worthy of deep study and plenty of homework. The sport looks simple. It is simple to play, difficult to master, impossible to conquer. Each higher average plateau is a new challenge, tougher in every way, and the pro side is the highest peak.
There are millions upon millions of bowlers. Only a few thousand average really high while those good enough to make a living at the sport can be counted in the hundreds.
Is a pro bowler an athlete? If you rate physical contact and brute strength at the top of your list, the answer is an emphatic no. But if you add up the definite skills and knowledge, physical and mental, necessary to success, there is little doubt that a pro bowler must be ranked as an outstanding athlete.
Idle Bowling Thoughts
By Chuck Pezzano
Bowling World March 2013 Issue
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Ch Ch Ch Changes!
So here is a sample of some of the many, many ways life has changed for the better since the weight came off:
Athletically:
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I'm no drummer; it's my buddy's set. It's fun to try. But one song and I would sweat like there's no tomorrow.
Athletically:
- I hadn't done a push-up since 8th grade. Even then, I only did one and with great difficulty. Just before my recent surgeries, I was doing 20 full range of motion, chest to the ground, straight-backed push-ups at a time. And I'll be back to that as training progresses and my strength returns.
- At my worst, climbing a flight of stairs left me winded. Walking as far as a quarter of a mile was exhausting. These days I am routinely taking 3-5 mile walks without breathing hard. It's a great way to collect my thoughts, develop ideas, or just clear my head of the day's stress.
- In my 20's, my bowling average was in the low to mid 180's. I thought I was a real hot shot at the time. When I got to my heaviest weight, I wasn't bowling at all because I couldn't get out of my own way. Currently my average is 205 and the sport is more enjoyable than I could've imagined. This level of ability could only be attained as a result of my training.
- One unforgettable moment was the first time I slid into a booth at a restaurant. For decades there was no choice except to sit at a table on a chair that perilously held up my bulk. Now, when I do dine out, I PREFER to sit at a booth and marvel at the space between me and the table's edge.
- Driving used to be an absolute chore. First, I had to carefully wedge myself into the car. As my middle crowded the steering wheel, steering was a challenge. Then getting out was the toughest as I had to push myself up after dislodging from the driver's seat. And, of course, I had to park with enough clearance to be able to get out without hitting the car next to me with the door...or my body. Now I can easily get in the driver's seat of any car, big or small. It's a wonderful feeling!
- Being on an airplane was total embarrassment. I dreaded asking for a seat belt extension. And I was always the guy nobody wanted to be stuck sitting next to. In October 2010 I flew to Las Vegas with family members. As soon as we boarded, I insisted on having my picture taken as I easily fit into the seat and actually CINCHED UP the seat belt!
- At amusement parks, I had the mortifying experience of having to get off the roller coaster when the bar couldn't fully come down. The last time I went, it was pure joy as the bar clicked into place and we whisked away.
- When the need to use a public restroom arose, my only option was to use the more spacious handicapped stall. The regular stalls left me no room to maneuver if I could actually get into them at all. And I won't even get into what was necessary to clean up afterward. Well, no more of that. I'm slim enough and flexible enough to do whatever I need to do in the closest of quarters.
- I used to have a raging case of sleep apnea. When sharing lodging with someone, I could snore a person right out of the room. Many times I woke MYSELF up with my snoring. These days I'm getting quiet, quality sleep that is only interrupted when my bladder insists.
- Headaches of varying intensity would plague me at least once a week. At times I would wake up with one. There was always a bottle of Advil on my headboard within arm's reach. Lately, I can't even remember the last time I had more than a mild hint of any real head pain.
- At age 13, I hyper extended my knee. Eventually, I developed 2 "trick knees" that would do their tricks doing the most mundane things. This was because I tried to do things and play sports that my weight would not accommodate me for. And every time it happened, it hurt like hell! I'd wrench a knee stepping off a curb, swinging a baseball bat, swinging my leg to kick something, whatever. There is now some arthritis in my left knee and it twinges on me quite often, but as long as I'm careful, my knees are sturdy and there's been no real threat of any new injury.
+08-2003.png)
I'm no drummer; it's my buddy's set. It's fun to try. But one song and I would sweat like there's no tomorrow.
I've said it before and it bears repeating: It took me 2 years to reach my goal weight and another 6 months to reach my record low. But it was SO worth it! I'll bet if you need to drop weight, it won't take that long. The time is going to pass whether you do something about it or not. So a year from now, will you be in a beautiful new place...or just another year older? Your choice.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
How Time Flies!
It has been 4 years to the day since I walked into that gym and unexpectedly began this magical mystery tour which has happily turned my life upside-down (or should I say right-side up). In many ways 4 years can seem like a very long time. For me, it has been a less than 8% sliver of my life that has fast-forwarded me to the best part.
Yes, I did all the work and lost all the extra hundreds of pounds that I’d been packing on for close to 50 years. But if not for the kind-hearted professionals who took me in and showed me how to do it, I’m certain I wouldn’t be around to write this or any other post.
In my mind, there are very few events that happen purely by accident. People come along in our lives seemingly by chance and make an impact that we couldn’t begin to imagine. My belief is that for most of us these special, life-changing individuals are divinely placed to prompt us into fulfilling a major purpose.
All this being said, I can only theorize that languishing in super-obesity for over 90% of my life was meant to serve as an example of how a person can come out of an awful life situation and change into a more positive existence. How ironic that not so long ago I didn’t much care about what the future held. This is certainly no longer my attitude towards life. Now, if it is meant to be that there is something even better and more challenging on the horizon that all the past has been preparing me for, then let’s get TO it!
Notice how in the first 3 photos I'm constantly hovering around food. Do I look happy?
Now check out these pics. No food around. Do I look happy? 
One last silly bragging little thing (just can't help myself). Another dream bowling night last night. 279+234+228=741 series! The point is before, I wasn't even trying to do the things I love to do. Now everything's off the charts...in a good way!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Moving Forward...
Hello, all. It's been 6 weeks since my last post. After this last setback with the infection and a 2nd stay at the nursing facility, I wound up being let go from one of my part time jobs. After some reflex resentment, I realized that this wasn't such a bad thing. I no longer have to sift through people's donated filth while physically taxing myself for minimum wage with no hope for a raise or any future advancement. Turns out after nearly 2 years, this is a fine time to move on.
With the extra time I've found, I subconsciously have been shying away from Facebook, blogging, and most computer related activities. My focus has been on healing, walking, seeing my friends at the gym and the lanes, and appreciating not being confined to a building with tubes stuck in me.
Now, Lord willing, it looks like the worst is behind me as the wounds close and my strength returns. And this is where I'd like to leave it in the context of this blog and life in general. Behind me. My plan here is to pick up where I left off writing about my life experiences as an obese person and the events that shaped them. So, without further ado...
As I began my 40's, my frustration level and dissatisfaction with life in general seemed to rise along with my weight. The difference was that the increase in pounds was far less subtle than the other problems. It took a very long time and a rude awakening to realize all these things fed off one another and became the most vicious of cycles.
By the time completing my degree was close at hand, my attitude was souring to the point where I just wanted to get it over with. What started as an exciting challenge in 1999 to complete my education became a tiring nuisance in 2003.
Only recently have I realized that all this negativity was brought about because of the PHYSICAL effort it took to do all the things I was doing. There was no way I could handle everything for much longer simply because I was nowhere near the condition necessary to handle it! I was taking on all the challenges I felt were important EXCEPT the most important one. Sound familiar, anyone?
So early in 2002 I gave up the job. In September of 2003 I finally earned my degree. Where did this get me? To the status of an unemployed college graduate. With a horrible weight problem.
As my mid-forties passed, I found out how tough finding employment is for a severely obese individual. I got interviews, but once I walked in and met the employers, there was always 2 strikes against me. I was perceived as a liability with all the labels that severely overweight people are subjected to. Without certain benefits I managed to qualify for and ever dwindling savings, I could easily have been out on the streets.
Fortunately, in 2007, at age 46, I picked up a tutoring job as a result of a TELEPHONE interview. The whole process was applying on line, e-mail arrangement of the interview, and the interview itself. In the entire process I never saw anyone face to face. There is no doubt in my mind that this made all the difference in my hirability. Being hired for this position began a series of events which slowly turned my life around for the better.
Obviously, starting my training and weight-loss has been the highlight and cornerstone of all these events. The acquisition of the tutoring job will be a good place to start the next post as it signifies the dawn of a slow but sure turnaround to positivity in a massively negative life.
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| My buddy is reaching for his next move. What am I reaching for? |
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| Engaged in my old favorite activity. |
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| That's more like it! |
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Back to the Future
It has now been 10 days since my release from the skilled nursing facility. After 3 days in the hospital and 25 days at the SNF, I have developed a huge appreciation for the "ordinary" things in life. It was a real paradox for me; there's no way I could've recuperated as much (or even at all by myself in my apartment) as I have without the care of good ol' Garden City and their staff. Yet, the days stretched out as my condition caused a great deal of uncertainty on my part. Boredom with the monotony of being stuck in one place, having to move and sleep ever so carefully while the tubes and stitches were still in me and predictable meals created a mood I never care to visit again.
However, my condition did improve, obviously. I just had to learn that the body takes time to recover after any surgery, much less two surgeries in 3 days. And who knows how much longer it would've taken had I not been in the best physical condition of my life beforehand? Times like this call for new perspective and a firm philosophical mind-set on the positive. There was a real wrestling match going on between something close to despair and the knowledge that I was closer to recovery with each passing day. I've never been much of a wrestler but I won that match!
As soon as I was released and said good-bye to the staff and patients, I went home and breathed it all in. My apartment was exactly as I left it, but it felt for just a little while that I had just moved in all over again. It was weird. I just had to lay down on my king sized bed for an hour and how sweet that was. Then, I got in my car and drove for the first time in a month! Where did I go? Straight to Full Force Personal Training, of course. I needed to see my trainers and friends again and be back in the workout environment. That went over well as we shook hands and caught up on things. The next day, after getting up 5 times in 7 hours to go to the bathroom, I showered at my leisure and resumed my pre-surgery eating habits. Real, healthy food is SO tasty! Then I saw my old friends from bowling as I returned to that environment. I'm not ready to bowl yet and may not be for a while, but the point was to get back to it in some way and it was great to do that!
As time passed, I started walking each day. First for 20 minutes. Then I got impatient and started walking 30-40 minutes. It was tiring at first, but I'm finding my strength is increasing the later it gets. Finally, after a week at home, I returned to work. Got back to both my part-time jobs and it was fantastic to be back in action. You never appreciate the privilege of being productive and earning ANY kind of paycheck until it's forced away from you for whatever reason. And now I'm looking forward to my first full week back to work and, with the Good Lord's blessing, a swift track to full recovery.
This is still going to take several months of rebuilding strength, full closing of the wound and losing the swelling and water weight. But my trainer has a plan, my friends are behind me, and my surgeon is monitoring me weekly. The new me is on the horizon, I just need to not rush it and let it happen...
However, my condition did improve, obviously. I just had to learn that the body takes time to recover after any surgery, much less two surgeries in 3 days. And who knows how much longer it would've taken had I not been in the best physical condition of my life beforehand? Times like this call for new perspective and a firm philosophical mind-set on the positive. There was a real wrestling match going on between something close to despair and the knowledge that I was closer to recovery with each passing day. I've never been much of a wrestler but I won that match!
As soon as I was released and said good-bye to the staff and patients, I went home and breathed it all in. My apartment was exactly as I left it, but it felt for just a little while that I had just moved in all over again. It was weird. I just had to lay down on my king sized bed for an hour and how sweet that was. Then, I got in my car and drove for the first time in a month! Where did I go? Straight to Full Force Personal Training, of course. I needed to see my trainers and friends again and be back in the workout environment. That went over well as we shook hands and caught up on things. The next day, after getting up 5 times in 7 hours to go to the bathroom, I showered at my leisure and resumed my pre-surgery eating habits. Real, healthy food is SO tasty! Then I saw my old friends from bowling as I returned to that environment. I'm not ready to bowl yet and may not be for a while, but the point was to get back to it in some way and it was great to do that!
As time passed, I started walking each day. First for 20 minutes. Then I got impatient and started walking 30-40 minutes. It was tiring at first, but I'm finding my strength is increasing the later it gets. Finally, after a week at home, I returned to work. Got back to both my part-time jobs and it was fantastic to be back in action. You never appreciate the privilege of being productive and earning ANY kind of paycheck until it's forced away from you for whatever reason. And now I'm looking forward to my first full week back to work and, with the Good Lord's blessing, a swift track to full recovery.
This is still going to take several months of rebuilding strength, full closing of the wound and losing the swelling and water weight. But my trainer has a plan, my friends are behind me, and my surgeon is monitoring me weekly. The new me is on the horizon, I just need to not rush it and let it happen...
Sunday, September 16, 2012
My Ordeal
It's been a while since I've posted here. Had my surgery and because of some complications, was hospitalized for 3 days and in a skilled nursing facility for 25 more. Here is the account of what happened up to about a week before my release:
Tuesday, August 14, 2012, I went into the operating room to have the excess abdominal skin resulting from my weight loss removed. One moment I’m being prepped and fully aware of my surroundings. The next moment I’m in the recovery room being roused awake. I don’t even recall becoming drowsy or any sense of drifting off. Just bang, bang! And it was done!
As much as I tried to brace myself for how post-op would feel, there was no way to anticipate the sensation. I was told that 8 lbs. of skin was removed, which is considered a hefty amount. My abdomen and groin were what I considered in an unnatural state of soreness and sensitivity. It felt like if I moved too fast or the wrong way, I’d rip myself apart.
For all this, when the time came, I was able to take some shuffling steps to the bathroom, get wheeled to my ride’s car and go home. From the car I managed to gingerly walk to my stairway, climb 18 steps and enter my apartment under the supervision of my buddy.
Although I was extremely delicate, I felt confident and strong enough to putter around my apartment as needed. My niece’s son came over to spend the night and my best friend went home. I got around pretty well walking from room to room and sitting at my computer.
The next day my grand-nephew went home and I was on my own. Things seemed all right until I went to bed. Then I went through the most frightening night of my life. There are 2 plastic bottles attached to tubes emerging from my lower abdomen called J-P drains. Well, I started noticing that one of the drains would fill up almost as fast as I could empty it. Whenever I got up it would be only a few seconds before I got nauseous, light-headed, my legs started giving out, and I knew I was close to passing out. It was a wonder I could rush back to bed and curl up in the fetal position just to feel close to “normal”.
This continued through about noon the next day. Thank God a great friend of mine who is an experienced registered nurse came over to check on me. She quickly assessed the situation, made the calls to the hospital where I was insured and called 911. Before too long I was being carried downstairs, loaded into the ambulance and on my way back to the OR.
Less than 2 hours after I was admitted, a hematoma was removed and I was given a transfusion of 2 units of blood. This time it was certainly NOT an out-patient procedure. I was hospitalized for 3 days, carefully monitored and well taken care of. Although this was an experience totally foreign to me, I certainly had no objections! I got stronger, did some standing and walking without any feeling of possibly passing out or worse. This was a huge relief and an ENORMOUSLY positive sign of improvement for me!
Finally, it was time to be discharged. Fortunately, it was taken into consideration that being home alone was not really an option just yet. I was sent to a skilled nursing facility for treatment, evaluation, and rehab until it could be determined that I truly can go home and take care of myself.
Obviously, there’s no way I could’ve anticipated the ordeal I would go through. Truth be told, this was a rather uncommon complication to deal with. It was the kind of misfortune that would’ve been very tough to brace myself for prior to the surgery.
As much as I tried to brace myself for how post-op would feel, there was no way to anticipate the sensation. I was told that 8 lbs. of skin was removed, which is considered a hefty amount. My abdomen and groin were what I considered in an unnatural state of soreness and sensitivity. It felt like if I moved too fast or the wrong way, I’d rip myself apart.
For all this, when the time came, I was able to take some shuffling steps to the bathroom, get wheeled to my ride’s car and go home. From the car I managed to gingerly walk to my stairway, climb 18 steps and enter my apartment under the supervision of my buddy.
Although I was extremely delicate, I felt confident and strong enough to putter around my apartment as needed. My niece’s son came over to spend the night and my best friend went home. I got around pretty well walking from room to room and sitting at my computer.
The next day my grand-nephew went home and I was on my own. Things seemed all right until I went to bed. Then I went through the most frightening night of my life. There are 2 plastic bottles attached to tubes emerging from my lower abdomen called J-P drains. Well, I started noticing that one of the drains would fill up almost as fast as I could empty it. Whenever I got up it would be only a few seconds before I got nauseous, light-headed, my legs started giving out, and I knew I was close to passing out. It was a wonder I could rush back to bed and curl up in the fetal position just to feel close to “normal”.
This continued through about noon the next day. Thank God a great friend of mine who is an experienced registered nurse came over to check on me. She quickly assessed the situation, made the calls to the hospital where I was insured and called 911. Before too long I was being carried downstairs, loaded into the ambulance and on my way back to the OR.
Less than 2 hours after I was admitted, a hematoma was removed and I was given a transfusion of 2 units of blood. This time it was certainly NOT an out-patient procedure. I was hospitalized for 3 days, carefully monitored and well taken care of. Although this was an experience totally foreign to me, I certainly had no objections! I got stronger, did some standing and walking without any feeling of possibly passing out or worse. This was a huge relief and an ENORMOUSLY positive sign of improvement for me!
Finally, it was time to be discharged. Fortunately, it was taken into consideration that being home alone was not really an option just yet. I was sent to a skilled nursing facility for treatment, evaluation, and rehab until it could be determined that I truly can go home and take care of myself.
Obviously, there’s no way I could’ve anticipated the ordeal I would go through. Truth be told, this was a rather uncommon complication to deal with. It was the kind of misfortune that would’ve been very tough to brace myself for prior to the surgery.
This has been about as challenging an experience for me as it was when I lost the weight. I can never repay the debt of gratitude to my friends who helped me through my crisis, those who provided transportation, and family and friends who came to visit. Along with the fitness community which I’m proud to be a part of rallying to support me, I feel blessed far more than I am able to comprehend.
It has now been one week since checking into the skilled nursing facility. Ten days since the second surgery. The healing is progressing but not as fast as I’d like. A place like this really produces a conflict of emotions and moods. There’s no way I could get along alone in my apartment which makes me very much appreciate being someplace that can tend to all my needs. However, I’ve never missed anything as much as my king-sized bed. The overnight hours seem to be the toughest part of the day to get through. With the drains and tubing where they are as well as the stitches, I basically have to stay in one position on my back all night with very little room to maneuver. What a number this does to my upper back and tailbone area! I will say, though, that it’s getting somewhat easier to get through the night as I learn to adapt.
Getting up in the morning has become a comparatively delightful experience. At first it was challenging swinging my legs out to get into a sitting position and out of bed. Now I find myself much stronger and doing those things with little discomfort. It still needs to be done carefully, but the transition is smoother. As I think about it, the new morning brings a number of positives to bear. First, I’m one day closer to recovery. Next, I rise up early (often times 6AM or earlier) which feels much, much better than sleeping in most of the time. Then there are things to look forward to like breakfast (such as it is) and physical therapy twice a day Monday through Friday. And now I have my laptop and healthy snack foods to keep myself occupied and eating better.
Getting up in the morning has become a comparatively delightful experience. At first it was challenging swinging my legs out to get into a sitting position and out of bed. Now I find myself much stronger and doing those things with little discomfort. It still needs to be done carefully, but the transition is smoother. As I think about it, the new morning brings a number of positives to bear. First, I’m one day closer to recovery. Next, I rise up early (often times 6AM or earlier) which feels much, much better than sleeping in most of the time. Then there are things to look forward to like breakfast (such as it is) and physical therapy twice a day Monday through Friday. And now I have my laptop and healthy snack foods to keep myself occupied and eating better.
No one “gets used to” being in a place like this. The fortunate ones cope with it and adapt to the situation until things become tolerable at best. The staff here has certainly gone a long way toward helping me get to that point, not to mention my physical improvement. Visits, care packages, prayers and support from the best people anyone can ever have on their side have sustained my mental and emotional well being. There are certainly people here that are going through worse than I am with fewer people to help. While I need to avoid dwelling on the negative, this fact helps me guard against falling into the trap of self-pity. After all, this is leading to an incredibly positive result after the healing period passes, so I need to just keep looking ahead…
And now it is September 5 and I have been here at Garden City for 2 ½ weeks. Today I had my third follow up appointment with my surgeon and a huge step has been taken. At last, one of my drainage tubes has been taken out and WOW...
, what a difference! It was such a relief to get that out of me. Immediately, I was able to walk much more smoothly and with increased pace. To have that much less pressure and discomfort in my groin is a giant leap toward feeling like my old self again.
Next week (Wednesday the 12th) the doctor says the other tube should come out and probably my stitches as well! Just as a safety measure, it was recommended that I stay here at least until Monday so the proper meds and monitoring can be administered while I still have the one drain. Even when the doctor pulled the one tube out of me, I didn’t feel a thing which was a real bonus as I thought there’d be at least some pain. Just gotta tough it out a little bit longer and I’ll soon be back to active status.
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and I can hardly wait to get to it!
Next week (Wednesday the 12th) the doctor says the other tube should come out and probably my stitches as well! Just as a safety measure, it was recommended that I stay here at least until Monday so the proper meds and monitoring can be administered while I still have the one drain. Even when the doctor pulled the one tube out of me, I didn’t feel a thing which was a real bonus as I thought there’d be at least some pain. Just gotta tough it out a little bit longer and I’ll soon be back to active status.
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and I can hardly wait to get to it!
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