Recovering from surgery - how to pass the time?

[Banned]

Hi everyone,

i haven't been on in quite some time but thought I could benefit from some of your experiences.

I keep a pretty tight schedule under normal circumstances, working (now) only two jobs but loving my work and life.

I just got out of the hospital yesterday as I had pretty major surgery on Tuesday morning. I am now off work for eight weeks and have absolutely nothing to do. I'm not allowed to lift anything over 10 lbs for four weeks, no driving for two weeks, and go back to work at the eight week mark. I'm just not used to this. What are some ideas to keep busy?

So far I bought an iPad because my laptop is too heavy to lift so I'm getting acquainted with it (so far I think I just paid $650 to go on Facebook but I'll learn).

I'm going to Halifax to visit a friend for a couple days and Vegas for a week or two. Other than that I'm at a loss what to do with my time. I can take the pig for short walks cause she doesn't pull but I can't walk the dogs.

Down time typically isn't good for me beyond a day or two so any advice on how to survive the next eight weeks would be great.

Thanks

 

[Peter]

Hi Turtle. I like your Signature.

 

[forgetmenot]

Hi Turtle nice to see you again and i am glad your life has moved forward in such a postive way. hugs
You have said some going for a walk Listen ing to music Reading a favorite book Get out and watch a movie with a friend. Shopping always fun to waste some time. Go for a long drive in country I hope you heal quickly hun and try to enjoy this time off ok get out and see some of the people that you do nt get to see too often because of work hugs

 

[rdw]

How about puzzles, read, or the ultimate task I never get to, put pictures into albums. Sorry to hear about your surgery and hope everything went well . Speedy recovery!!

 

[Daniel E.]

So far I bought an iPad because my laptop is too heavy to lift so I'm getting acquainted with it (so far I think I just paid $650mto go on Facebook but I'll learn).

For some people, just searching for apps and keeping up with the latest apps can be a hobby in itself.

 

[Retired]

Hello Turtle!

Glad to see you back on the Forum. Sorry to hear about your surgery, but I believe there are ways to use your recovery time to advantage.

You may want to look at things (that don't require physical exertion) you've been meaning to do or needing to do but never had the time.

Complex administrative tasks come to mind, such as re-organizing life's business matters. Examples could be reviewing your important documents like insurance policies, wills and mandates in order to update all of these to meet current requirements.

Something many people forget to do, and computer technology provides the tools, is to record all these documents by scanning them, and saving the digital files to a place that can be retrieved later in emergencies. Details of all these documents and arrangements should be recorded and given to a responsible administrator of your choice for emergencies.

Years ago when I was recovering from surgery I used the time to do just that, as well as designing a spreadsheet for managing my financial affairs, that I continue to use to this day.

It's a great opportunity to to some of those mundane, yet important tasks that never otherwise find the time to get done.

 

[Banned]

Thanks for the suggestions. All are appreciated!

Daniel - I wondered if theres some magical way to dig thru these apps but as best as I can tell you just search by name or look for something interesting? I did download a book I wanted to read and was quite proud of myself for getting that far on my own haha.

Steve - those are some good suggestions too. I haven't opened any mail in a couple of years but I have it all so I could open and sort it.

I also bought Jill a toddler's toy piano and she is learning to play it.

The hard part is I have absolutely no pain so I keep thinking I can do more than I can. I have to keep reminding myself of the limitations so I heal properly. I am very adamant about not doing more than my doctor said so I can get back to work sooner rather than later.

 

[Peter]

Hello Turtle.
If you are looking for something very different to do, I have an alternative, but challenging suggestion. Recovering from surgery can also be seen as an opportunity to get a away from what you are used to doing. You sound like a person who has been very busy for a long time. Why not be not-busy for a while. It does not mean you won't have anything to do. You could do the following:
Be relaxed, have quiet times, take a holiday from your business, revisit and update your clarity of purpose, and sit with yourself and appreciate some solitude (not isolation). Be an observer for while, instead of a doer all the time.
This could be challenging because you said you are not used to it. Would it be bad to spend some valuable 'time-out'? You never know, you might even get to like it.
In any case, I wish you a speedy recovery, and I hope your down-time will be filled with inspiration and revelations.

 

[Banned]

Hi Peter,
thanks for the input. Definitely being still is almost impossible for me but a skill I would do well to tackle. If my body isn't going then my brain is. I do love to travel and if I can keep myself from getting wrapped up in things I can come down a bit. It's easier to let go of work now that I don't have my own business anymore. I work for an airline so I know things will go on with or without me, which makes it really easy to not worry. Try as I might, I just can't control the planes from home lol.

Right now I'm just watching some mindless tv, sleeping, playing with the animals, reading, and I might conquer a puzzle because it will provide some mental stimulation in a relaxing and non-overwhelming manner. And I'm really focused on getting to Vegas - my favorite quick getaway.

 

[AmZ]

Wishing you a speedy and easy recovery Turtle.

 

[Banned]

Thanks AmZ. So far it's going really well - I have absolutely no pain except in my neck I think from the gas they put in my belly, and I'm up and about. I might be able to back to work at the five week mark, at least to one job, and at the six week mark to the other.

I was going to go to Banff today but slept in, so I am going to take Jill for a walk around the block and see how that goes. Mid it goes well I can do that three or four times a day to split up the time.

 

[AmZ]

Good for you and your positive attitude.

Feel good.

 

[Banned]

Success! Went out for dinner and took the dogs and pig for a walk around the block. I feel good, but I'm having hot flashes which I'm not supposed to have, theoretically. Will have to see if they last...

 

[Banned]

So what I've learned is it's best not to do too much too soon. I had a bit of pain last night so I took it easy again today. I'm really eager to start running again after two and a half years of trying to manage severe pain and debilitating fatigue (side effects from medication I was on). I'm also going to be off for eight weeks after all because my surgeon is away until the seven and a half week mark, and I'm not allowed to return to work unless he signs off that I'm fit to return.

So... I'm making a list of everything I can gradually conquer between now and early August. Things like clean my car ( when I'm allowed to vacuum again) , sort my mail, start a gradual exercise program, go to Vegas and Halifax ( both are booked yay!), read a book, and find a new peaceful place that I can go to a couple times a week and just be. My old one is super far away and as a result I never go. I've also had a chance to re-evaluate my crazy schedule and come up with a much more humane one that still meets my needs but isn't crazy.

I have to go to court Early August to testify for the Crown in a sexual assault trial so I'm sure I'll have to meet with them before en too. And figure out this iPad. I think I can take a free course at the apple store.

Im still healing ridiculously well but I have to remember that I am still healing and reign myself in a bit. Good thing I have a super cuddly pig who just wants to snuggle all day. It makes these earlier, less active days a bit better.

 

[AmZ]

You carry on as you are doing. You sound like your doing very well.

Keep it up! X

 

[MWCT]

Sounds like you are on your way Turtle.

Not sure where you are located, but if I had extra time - I would hit the beach with a good book or music downloaded to an iPod and just sit there relaxing. If you are not near a beach - how about a park, a lake or somewhere else?

Also, not sure what your restrictions are post-surgery, but can you do any gardening? Sometimes I just love to be outside regardless of what you do.

Have fun in Vegas and get better soon!

 

[Banned]

Thanks MWCT. I am smack in the prairies so not much for beaches here. As much as ive found some stuff to do I admit I'm starting to go absolutely stir crazy. I'm heading to Halifax on Tuesday for a couple days which will be nice.

Im not allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds for six weeks, and other than that just general common sense stuff - eat well, listen to my body, etc. The best part is no housework at all for six weeks either. I feel so useless but it is what it is for a few weeks.

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I think I'm going to go to the mall today. The walking will be good, it's cloudy and cool outside, and it will be nice to get up and moving. I'm going to use my moms car cause it's automatic and my SUV is standard which I don't think I'm ready for yet. There's nothing I need to buy so I'll just browse and make it a me-time outting.

 

[Banned]

I am healing so fast and have so much energy and am so bored. I called my surgeon to see if I can go back to work part-time on modified duties and she said to call back on Monday and if I'm still doing well then yes I can. Yay! So excited!

 

[Futurepower3000]

Don't forget reading a good book....that always helps!