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20 September ~2009
The morning of my
surgery I was hungry, having not eaten solid food for a day and a half.
I couldnt' eat or drink anything, or else they might cancel the
surgery, which was scheduled for 1pm. Its not easy making it to midday
when you are starving and thirsty. The hours pass slowly. I got through
the morning by riding my bicycle to the hospital, about 12 miles. The
only tough part was when I passed the best fish and chips shop in
Denver - GB's, on south broadway, and remembered how good the food is there. I kept on going.
The nurses and doctor were surprised that I rode my bike there, saying that doesn't happen often. I assured the Doctor I went slow, so as not to work up a sweat. He acted like he appreciated that. I felt ok that I had my exercise for the day, and was ready to lie down for a while.
I was up walking within eight hours of the surgery, putting on my robe and baseball cap and circling the third floor with my IV rack. I only got a couple of hours of sleep that night because the pulse monitor they had me hooked up to was set to trigger a buzzer at 50 beats per minute. Everytime I fell asleep it would go off and wake me up. The nurse lowered it to 45, but it still went off when I went asleep. So much for recovery through resting while I was there. The next night at home I got a good night's sleep.
Yesterday (Sept 19th) I went to horse rescue, the first time post-surgery. It felt really good to be there, since it is such a positive place. They gave me the job of going to Murdock's to buy a solar electric fence charger, which did not seem like real work. Later I got to use the tractor to level out a hoof path in the training ring, and then spread loose dirt from the edge back over it with a shovel. That felt more like finishing a decent job.
At noon I used the tractor to load my truck with manure for my garden, then me and the dogs walked through the barns and around the grounds. Those three act like they are in heaven checking everything out around the ranch. It seems like they like going to horse rescue as much as they do the mountains.
Today, Sunday, I unloaded my truck beside my garden with a pitchfork, and still feel strong. I don't see why I shouldn't go down to the Mercury and dance a couple of dances tonight. Not too much, just to keep the feel of it, and to hold a couple of women in my arms. I guarandamntee it, there is plenty of fire left in my blood.
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(I did go, and had several good dances, including one with Marilyn, the owner of the Mercury. Since I still feel great now, at 11pm, I figure I can continue to go dancing. Doing what you love is certainly part of the healing process.)