Kim's Recovery

It's been two weeks since surgery for me, and I'm doing ok, a little stir crazy. I'm mostly lying around reading and spending too much time on Facebook.  I can stand and walk a little now, 10 to 15 min at a time. People keep telling me to treat myself like a rehab horse. I can't wait till I can sit for a while, I have all these ideas for blog posts but can't sit at my desk yet for very long. This post is a race to type everything I can before the leg hurts!  I have concluded that I must be part border collie or thoroughbred, since Highboy and Dewey and the dogs are eager to go back to work, too.

To answer some frequently asked questions:

Were you hurt in a glamorous horse accident?:
 No, the surgery was not due to an injury, I'm blaming this one on genetics.

What did the surgeon do (don't gross me out)?
I had back surgery to remove arthritis from the lower vertebrae in my spine.  Essentially the tunnel that the nerve runs through had become too narrow for the nerve to fit, due to arthritic changes filling in the space and irritating the nerve.  I had weakness and pain all down my left leg, I couldn't sit or walk at all without heavy pain meds.  In layman's terms, they basically rotor-rootered my back so the pipe is clear for the nerve to run through.

How is recovery going?
A little rocky at first, there were some complications with recovery necessitating that I return to the hospital and stay there for 2 days and a night.  Once my pain was under control I went home on oral meds, and had a follow-up with  my regular doctor to address the other issues.  I'm still expected to make a full recovery, but it likely won't be the short month the surgeon predicted.  That's ok with me, as long as I make a full recovery.

What do you need?
Mostly I've been asking for reading recommendations.  Those who have visited me have generously brought me all kinds of books and DVDs, so I am well stocked with a variety of reading material.  I'm always open to new suggestions, I just avoid horror and monster-type books.  Since my stomach and system are still in an uproar I'm only able to eat basically toast and applesauce, so we don't need any more food.  Owen does the cooking normally so we're good for meals. 

I have called in reinforcements for cleaning paddocks - on one of my very short trips outside to visit Highboy and Dewey I was appalled at how my normally tidy and tightly run ship seems to be sinking in frozen horse manure.  I have saintly friends who are taking care of feeding, water, and blanketing for me, and very saintly friends and neighbors who are coming to clean paddocks for me when things thaw out a bit later this week.

Nase the house dog is enjoying all the time lounging around the house, and he's happy to have the comfy chair in the living room since I can't sit in it yet. 

Thank you to all of you who have supported me and continue to do so - it's a tedious road back and I'm so grateful I'll get there.