I woke up this morning in very little pain. Maybe 4/10. Took the morning OxyContin CR and started my morning routine. Basically coffee in my recliner, listening to music and reading.

After about an hour, my usual morning pause time, I realized I felt good. Really good. No pain at all. Yes, I took pain medication but I’ve never not had any pain, even after medication. It was sort of a weird feeling.

I decided to finally clean up my closet. My mother and daughter stayed at my house while I was in the hospital and my closet was in disarray. They must have put away laundry for me and I needed to sort it out. I had a dryer full of laundry to put away too.

I haven’t mentioned him yet, but I have an incredible dog named Adventure. He’s in training to be my service dog. I mention him now because he’s my laundry helper. I had to figure out how to go about getting the laundry from the dryer into a basket that I can’t bend over to lift. Then get that basket to my closet and fold/hang everything.

I have a nice rollator that’s also a transport chair and it has a nice, large seat. I use this alot for transporting items around the house. I put the empty basket on the rollator seat and wheeled it into the laundry room. Called Adventure to come help with the laundry. He came and grabbed items from the dryer, put them in my hands and then I put them in the basket (still on the rollator). After he got everything out, I paid him with his favorite treats. He also earned a hefty tip.

I wheeled the basket to my bathroom and proceeded to sort and fold the laundry onto the bathroom cabinet. My trusty helper, Adventure, picked up items I dropped. I loaded up the basket, pushed it into my closet and put everything away. Laundry done!

I get my lower legs waxed monthly, since I haven’t been able to bend over to shave in 10+ years. I called the wax salon about how I could go about getting my wax service since I’m not flexible or as able bodied as I was just 2 months ago. Since I was feeling so good, I set an appointment for the afternoon. My furry legs were going to be smooth again!

I arrived at the salon and thankfully the handicapped parking slot in front of the door was available. I used a cane today since it was just a few steps. The waxer was very kind and understanding when I explained my limitations. We worked together to get me taken care of. It was easier than I thought it was going to be. I just needed to log roll onto the table on my back. Then when it was time for the back of my legs, I got off the table and sort of lowered myself onto the table so I was face down. That part surprisingly wasn’t too uncomfortable. Definitely was ok for the couple minutes to finish up.

On the way home, I was still feeling good so I decided to stop at Dollar Tree. That’s my happy place when I want to get out of the house but don’t want to spend money or eat. I used my cane to walk inside and then a cart in the store. They had grabber sticks, on the bottom shelf of course, and I got one to keep in my car. I know at some point I’ll drop something in the car or while getting in the car and I’d have no way to pick up the dropped item. No, the grabber isn’t for anything heavy but it’s good enough to keep in my car. It’s only $1.25. So they were on the bottom shelf. Ugh. I used my cane to lift one up to where I could reach it. Have to problem solve everything these days.

I went home and my body told me it was time to rest. Adventure and I went to bed for a 1 hour nap.

I woke up in pain, nothing terrible, but I really try to stay ahead of the pain. So I took oxycodone. That will last until my bedtime medications.

The rest of my day will just be spent relaxing with my pup. I wanted to post because it was just such a good feeling to have minimal to zero pain. To be out and about and getting back to being normal again. It’s a new normal though. One that will include thinking through accessibility, mobility aids and processes for my daily tasks. That’s ok. I’m ok. I’m so happy I had this surgery. I see a light at the end of the tunnel.