back to "normal…"

This week, it was Beatrix’ turn to be under the weather. Surgery Monday to begin the reconstruction process for her breast went off without a hitch. Well, there were hitches: she had to deal with the pain and stiffness. No hitches for me.

But suddenly, I became the driver and caregiver, and Beatrix became the patient! The ole reversal was weird. She required very little real “care,” just comfort and tenderness. She was sore and a bit groggy. Over the next few days, she came quickly to a near-normal state. The body-binder came off Thursday, and with great relief, she was able to have her first shower since the previous Monday morning.

What has been interesting for me is the transition from the one state (recovering stroke victim) to another (caregiver and driver) and then reaching some kind of balance between the two states. For a day or two I forgot to monitor my blood pressure. I found myself rushing, or getting annoyed with some aspect of my computer, and then remembering that I mustn’t shoot my blood pressure up.

I have slowly recovered the healthy practices of the past months, and am settling into monitoring and behaving, even as Beatrix slowly moves back into some kind of normal life. We’ve been for a couple of short walks together, as she monitors her pain level without pain medication. And I wait for the time when I can take a longer walk, to stretch my legs and test my heart rate.

All quite boring, really, but the life of recovery often is, I suppose. Unless you ignore the limitations. Mistake!