Recovery and other thoughts

It sure feels good to be home. I've been getting some solid sleep, usually four to five hours consecutively, totaling nine to 11 hours for the night. Although I miss being able to sleep on my left side (I can't put added pressure on the incision site), I can sleep for several hours on my right side once I get the pillows and my legs in the right position. I woke up Ed several times last night snoring, which is rare since I usually don't sleep on my back, but I have no choice for the time being. Since Spot isn't back home yet, Ed's been able to sleep in later so hopefully he's making up for the times I'm interrupting his sleep. I'm still not on pain medication, and I'm enjoying each day that I don't have to take any.

I had my first dream about cancer the other night. In short, I was at some event and made a negative comment about the economy in front of Laura Bush. A Bush spokeswoman responded that it was obviously my experience with cancer and its related medical costs that made me so negative. I asked how she knew I had cancer and why my privacy had been invaded, and then proceeded to lecture her on the sad state of the economy (high energy costs, huge trade deficit, job losses, etc.). I guess I've been watching the news a bit too much, and seeing Mrs. Bush at the Olympic opening ceremonies must have stuck in my brain. This isn't meant as a political statement; rather, it's interesting to me that I admitted to a stranger I had cancer -- a move forward in facing this disease despite it having taken place in a dream. I think accepting something subconsciously is a step in the right direction. I still haven't dreamt about the loss of my dad, so I obviously have other acceptance issues to deal with. One thing at a time, I guess.

We got socked with about 16" of snow over the weekend. Ed was out for several hours yesterday blowing and shoveling snow, and he's out there again now shoveling in the back and chipping away at the ice out front. It seems a shame to do all this work since it's supposed to reach 50 by week's end.

Meanwhile, I sit at the kitchen counter and spend hours on the computer. There is so much information that can be accessed through this thing, and I'm even able to do some work to help out at the office. It continually amazes me what I can learn through the web and how easy it is to connect with people all over the world, many of whom I will never even meet. The best part, though, is being able to keep you informed about my continued recovery, read your notes, and share e-mails with you. Maybe I'll post one of the photos Ed took of me post-surgery, if I can find one in which I don't look too bad. :)