Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Feeling A Bit More of A Spring In My Step

The snow fell again today.  My response to the snow was so different from my response the last few times it has snowed.  Perspective makes all the difference in the way one sees snow in April.  Early this evening, just as the light of day was beginning to fade, as I watched the snow fall softly just outside my window, feelings of peace and security filled my mind.  The snow, quickly swallowed up by thirsty earth, brightened the emerging green of the grass.  The earth emitted a smell of spring.  Snow may have been falling, but in my heart, I know spring's promised renewal is on its way.

I'd nearly missed watching trees coming to life this year.  I'd not seen any flowers blooming.  For the last twelve days, my view has mostly been limited to what I saw outside the windows of my house.  Things still looked mostly bleak, dry, and brown.  Inside my mind and body, I've been fighting to get well.  I've exhausted, ill, and uncomfortable.  Fear kept knocking at my door.  Was I ever going to feel well again?

Today, my dear and patient, but also very weary, husband drove me to Denver to see the surgeon.  The word is:  I am healing very well on the outside, but the inside is taking longer than it takes most folks after gallbladder surgery.  The doctor spoke of the abscess and assured me it would dissolve.  He told me he had been confident all would be fine last week when he saw the labs and CT scan because all bile ducts were fine and other complications that could occur were not present.  He spoke of the bell curve of healing.  The teacher in me identified with that analogy well.  He said a few are out skiing in four days, others are doing very well after four or five days, and a few are having problems after a week.   "Where am I on the bell curve?" I asked as I reminded him that I was a retired teacher.  I was thinking I must be in 70 IQ range of the curve if we were using the bell curve for healing.  "Oh, you are definitely in the "A" range of the curve.  You have an "A," he said.  "That's good," I replied, "because I only do "A's."  In truth I thought he was only trying to make me feel better.  I am just glad we are not graded on how quickly we heal, or why we heal one way or the other.  

He said I looked so much better than I had in the ER last week.  I mentioned that make-up helped.  He had seen me sans make-up the last time we met.  He said, make-up had nothing to do with it.  "It was in the eyes," he said.  He said he couldn't decide if I was showing exhaustion, pain, or worry in what he saw in my eyes.  "All of the above," I said.

As I look back on the twelve days it has been since my surgery, I can't help but reflect on the experience.  Perhaps, I needed this time to grow in my own determination to work towards good health.  Perhaps, I needed this time to grow in faith. Perhaps, I needed this time to feel deeper compassion for those who are very ill and suffer more than I will ever imagine possible.  Perhaps, I needed this time to gain a new admiration for those in the medical field that I have the good fortune to have on my team.  

Today, as we left the doctor's office, I felt a new awakening.  My confidence in the process of healing was strengthened.  To celebrate, given the fact that I had not eaten a decent meal in at least five days and had not eaten a decent meal for about seven days before that, I asked my husband to take me to my favorite lunch spot in Denver:  The Bistro at Nordstrom at Cherry Creek Mall.  We sat in our favorite booth.  We even were served by our favorite server.  We savored the club sandwich.  I ate as many French fries as I dared to eat, dipping them in the wonderful Kalamata Olive Aioli Dip that Nordstrom Bistro makes.  I love that dip!  

My husband drove down University Boulevard to get to I25 from Cherry Creek Mall.  He said he did not want to deal with Colorado Boulevard again today.  The first thing that jumped into my mind, was Bonnie Brae Ice Cream.  "Since we are going down University, could we stop into Bonnie Brae?" I asked.  I figured that since I'd risked eating French fries, I might as well add a little ice cream to my sensitive, anti-biotic filled digestive system.  It had been a very long time since I'd had any fat in my diet.  Ice cream really sounded good.  

On our way to my favorite ice cream shop, I drank in the beauty of the soft green petal like growth of new leaves on the trees.  We drove around the block near the ice cream shop.  I always love the flower filled yards in that area.  The tulips and daffodils in the area seemed to bloom just for me.  I realized I'd nearly missed seeing forsythia bushes blooming this year while I've been cooped up inside my house.  

Isn't funny how just going to a favorite place can lift your spirits?  Who couldn't be happy here?


As I ate my small serving of my favorite flavor of ice cream, peppermint from Bonnie Brae, I looked out of the window at the scene that promised the hope of many fun summer evening visits for many during the months ahead and felt more of the load of winter and illness and worry lift off my shoulders.  

I saw the potted geraniums that were boldly placed on the table just outside from where I was sitting. Just seeing these red summery looking blossoms made think of warmer days that will soon be here.  I love those optimists that set out potted geraniums on an April day in Colorado when snow is in the forecast for later in the day.  These people know that we must capture sunshine while we can.  Geraniums can always be moved indoors later in the day, but it is a sign of a good gardener and positive person to move plants outside while the sun was shining.  

Too soon, our time in the ice cream shop was over.  As y husband and I drove north towards home, we watched  clouds, heavily pregnant with moisture,  drift down the sides of the mountains.  We knew that snow would soon be falling. In fewer than forty minutes after we left our sunny ice cream eating spot, we were in a springtime snow storm.  

The snow can fall.  It won't last long.  The flowers are beginning to bloom.  I will soon be outside digging in the dirt.  Yes, I am feeling a bit of a spring in my step.  

26 comments:

  1. Hi Thank you for the more up beat up date from how you are now recovering. I am glad. Now will now see greater improvement every day but DO NOT DO TOO MUCH TOO quickly. That is usually the mistake people make and it sets them back a bit. Slow and SURE is BEST. Fries and ice cream, sound yummy.

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  2. So glad you've turned the corner and are getting better. Keep it up!

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  3. NO worries. Soon you will enjoy the Spring and see lot many blossoms and feel happy.
    Happy to hear about the improvement in your health condition!
    Love eating ice-creams.

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  4. Positive attitude and health are closely connected. Mrs. T. having survived two types of cancer, gall bladder surgery, knee replacement, benign tumor removal, hip surgery, pink eye and a number injuries is also a strong believer in the regular stop and pick up some ice cream cure...:) Hang in there Sally.

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  5. It is so good to hear that positive note threaded through your words!

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  6. You do sound like you're finally on the mend. I was worried about you, Sally, as your last post was filled with anxiety. But yes, you are getting better all right! Sending you lots of love and wishes for continued healing. :-)

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  7. So glad you are finally feeling better, and it's good to hear this positive outlook in your voice. Let's face it, the older we get, the longer it takes to recover from anything. Getting out and enjoying in the first signs of spring is a great way to lift the spirits and speed the healing process . Wishing you a Happy Easter, Sally!

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  8. Glad you're feeling a little better.

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  9. I'm so very happy reading this post to hear that you are healing, you had a good report and that the sun is coming back into your life. Yes, perspective is an interesting thing, isn't it? I'm so very grateful that all seems on the up-and-up-more for you! What joy, in this time of rebirth that you are coming to new awareness, joy and health.

    Sending love and joy this Easter and wishes for your continued recovery.

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  10. I have never been to the Bistro at Nordstrom but I know Bonnie Brae is a great place to soak up some cheer.
    The doctor can tell from your eyes and we can tell from your writing that you are doing so much better.

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  11. Glad to hear you are starting to feel better - especially in spirit. The body will soon follow. After the long winter we savor the arrival of spring more than usual.

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  12. You're feeling better! Wonderful.

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  13. Outings! Yes, outings lift the spirit while tiring the body; all in all, they take us out of our head.

    Glad you're feeling better.
    Happy Easter.

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  14. Everything you needed topbut that spring back in your step. A positive report from the doctor, getting to enjoy the beauties of spring, a great lunch and don't forget the ice cream. Not one thing from the pharmacy could work as well.
    Wonderful report.

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  15. Dear Sally, What a positive post - I think you've definitely turned the corner! When I get back from AZ, maybe we could meet at Nordstrom's Bistro and then go to Bonnie Brae. I love the peppermint, too! Keep healing and enjoying our CO spring.

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  16. You sound pretty darn perky. I'm so glad things are looking better medically and moodily!

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  17. Glad you are feeling that spring in your step... Hopefully the weather will improve which can give you reason to get outside and smell the fresh air and take a short walk...

    In the meantime, some ice cream is the next best thing. That cures everything, doesn't it???? ha

    Hang in there --and you WILL heal.
    Hugs and Prayers,
    Betsy

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  18. A girl after my own heart: ice cream and French Fries on a prospective menu. I'll dine with you any day!
    I'm so glad that you are healing, Sally. So very glad.
    May your Easter be blessed.
    Thank you for the blog that you posted here. It brightened my day and evening, and I hope that you continue to keep that bounce in your step. You go girl!!

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  19. It is so wonderful that like the beauty of the tender green budding out, your faith and happiness and health are putting forth tender new life. It is so wonderful to read this update on Good Friday. May blessings continue for you and yours.

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  20. Turning the corner emotionally is the best way to finally become really well. good for you. I just hope your system was ready for your food indulgences.

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  21. I'm so glad to hear you're properly on the mend now, Sally. I just wish that spring would hurry up and arrive for you. After the winter you've had, you didn't need more snow in April.

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  22. Very glad that you're feeling better. Onward and upward!

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  23. It must be a relief to know you're healing even if a little slower. Good for you. Just planted my geraniums and begonias- I love spring!

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  24. I'm so relieved you're feeling better, Sally. Thank goodness.

    My daughter sent me photos of snow in Chicago last week. What the heck? Is Mother Nature forgetting it's April?

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  25. Great to read this news, Sally, and I hope this week is even better. The treats you chose would be mine, too!!

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  26. So pleased you are healing so well and that you are feeling so much better.

    That ice cream parlour looks wonderful. I could eat some now!
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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