05/18/2024: Turning a corner

Cricket fans know how significant a time it is for an Indian chase when a Dhoni or a Virat comes out to bat and hits it out of the park. This past week has been that kind of turning point in my healing story. I have been pleasantly surprised by the significant improvement in my own recovery!

The night after my surgery, I remember begging for pain medication every 30 minutes. Oral meds made me throw up and the nurses switched me to the IV meds. Those IV injections made me wince in pain. Fearing the IV needle, I would attempt to bear the pain. Mere minutes later, I would give up and beg for the meds, and scream as they inject me. This cycle that repeated for nearly 24 hours was easily the most horrifying experience for me. I have tears in my eyes as I type all of this. Happy tears, without a doubt, for today marked the second day of  no Tylenol, Tremedol or Delotted in my system. Simply no more optional pain meds! I am just taking a couple of mandatory anti-seizure and nerve-soothing medicines that I can stop in a week or so. From the vantage point of the day after surgery, a day like today was simply unimaginable!

Another milestone- I am able to sit on the floor and get up without any assistance. Any changes to my head height previously gave me intense pain. That's not the case anymore!

Also, I am at 6/60 walking hours as of today! I am still sleeping most of the day like an infant, so it is significant for me that I am able to get up and make time for these walks!

In a nutshell, I am progressing quite nicely!
I still cannot endure too many long conversations or loud noises. My sense of smell is still on an overdrive. I expect to build more tolerance and stamina with these items as well, in the days to come. I have an appointment with my radiation oncologist next week, and scheduling radiation session(s) to get rid of the remaining bits of tumor is the next big step. 

I continue to surrender to the power of the almighty and the strength of friendships and positivity.

At a charity dinner- a cause Raaga will be supporting this summer with her dance debut

I didn't think I would be in a position to attend the Boys and Girls Aid Gala, less than three weeks post surgery! 

Sitting on the floor and folding the laundry never felt more joyful!


By May 18th, there's barely any visible evidence of the procedure from April 30th!

We bid adieu to Sruthi last night, couldn't be more grateful for all her help around the house, chauffeuring the girls, and taking me out on walks!



Status of the incision: the beginning, while stitches were being removed, and during week-3. There's still some pain but nothing as excruciating as I had the previous couple of weeks.

Status of the two drain port incisions: Day-4 post op, while getting the stitches removed,  and right now. These spots still feel quite tender and I just avoid sleeping on that side as much as I can.

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