Tuesday 21 August 2012

I'm BACK minus a body part or two

Hello my dear friends!

I'm feeling so much better now although there is an element of sadness
that the uterus and cervix which served me so well in giving birth
to my five children are no longer a part of me.
I know it's for the best though...but still, a little sad, nonetheless.
It's been 12 days since having the hysterectomy and
I was very lucky not to require abdominal incisions.
This means a faster recovery.

It's incredible to think that I had major surgery on the Thursday morning
and was back home by Friday morning!
They don't keep you in hospital for long nowadays.

I was SO happy to get home.
Beau had experienced a dreadful night with Cody, my dog,
who was very anxious that I wasn't there, poor thing.
Cody sat at the window beside the front door late into the night
looking out for me, bless his little heart! x
Goodness knows how he would have coped
if I'd been kept in hospital for longer.
We'd even purchased an expensive collar for him prior to my surgery.
The collar releases pheromones that are supposed to calm anxiety in dogs and cats.
I've also tried him with anti-anxiety medication for storms,
fireworks, and construction work noises but nothing works
when it comes to my little man, Cody.
He not only suffers severe separation anxiety from me but
he is also terrified to the extreme of loud noises.

The Gynaecologist said it will take six weeks for me to fully heal within.
I already feel pretty good and I'm doing most of the normal routine things now.
 I'm still not allowed to do any heavy lifting for a while tho.
I'm listening to my body which tells me when I'm overdoing things 
and then I just rest up for a while.  

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH 
for the beautiful comments, emails, and messages wishing me well in my absence. 
It meant a lot and I'm sure it has helped with my healing process.

I'm so sorry for not visiting you all but
I've barely been online since coming out of hospital.
As much as I missed you all, the break was much needed.
My computer keyboard started beckoning to me a couple of days ago
so I knew it was time to get back to the online grind.

I've been doing quite a bit of crochet during my recovery
and finished the blanket I was making for Aaron.
It took less that TWO months to complete from start to finish.
Not bad at all considering I started with 255 stitches
and worked 147 rows all up!!


Here it is on my Queen-sized bed to give you an idea on the completed size.


I just adore the ripple design!!


AND I've already started the next one for Granddaughter number 2 due in early November.


All plans to sketch during my recovery kinda went out the window.
However, I did expand the Buddha page in my previous post
to a double page spread which was what I'd intended to begin with.

I'll have more to share over the coming days but, for now,
I'll leave you with a pic of my precious Cody
dozing off to sleep on my pillow.


Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

~ Love, light and peace to all ~

31 comments:

  1. Serena I'm so happy to hear that your recovery is going so well! It truly is amazing that we're able to mend so quickly from major surgery...a tribute to both modern medicine and the miracle of our own bodies.

    And I really, really love Aaron's ripple blanket...whew, that's huge! And also love the blend of pinks you've chosen for the new grand-baby's blanket too.

    Poor Cody...he must have thought he had been abandoned without you there. (Our Molly on the other hand, would go with almost anyone who had a dog cookie...she's a survivor!)

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    1. Thanks, Kate! I agree....I thought that, being older, it would take me longer to heal but all seems to be going well. Glad you like the blankets....the pink one will have white added too.

      I was so worried how Cody would cope as I was told I'd be in hospital for up to five days....I felt such relief that I was able to get home the very next day, especially when I found out how badly Cody missed me. LOL about Molly....it's funny how some dogs are like that. I wish Cody was a little more like Molly. :)

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  2. Serean I've been wondering how youre going post surgery. That sure was a quick release from hospital though, I Know they dont like to keep anyone in long these days! Home is the best place to recover though! and poor cody... I bet he's glad too!

    My dd's dog sat by the front door when we looked after them last for 2 days waiting for her when they went on hols, and I felt so sorry for him. he was anxious too!

    Take it easy now and let that healing take place as fast as it can! worst behind you now!
    all the best krissie

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    1. Thanks, Krissie. Yep, it was a fast release but I think it was mostly thanks to having no incisions on my abdomen. It all worked in my favour. YAY! Cody was VERY happy to have me home. I too hate to see dogs get so anxious and afraid of loud noises, storms, fireworks etc. Cody seems afraid of everything that makes loud noise and the boys tell me how he frets terribly if I go out. He gets so excited when I come back home. xx

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  3. Dear Serena...I am so happy to hear you are doing well. Your finished blanket is gorgeous! You could not have picked more perfect colors! The pink one for granddaughter #2 is already pretty! Not much slows you down, Serena! I'm glad you are getting your rest as needed, but still moving around. Kep up your great recovery, and I'm so happy you are back!
    xoxo- Julie

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    1. Thanks, Julie! I do like to keep my hands busy when watching TV and, as I'm resting here and there, I get a fair bit done. xx

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  4. So glad the op went well, and you are recovering well. Looks like you're making the most of your recovery time, the ripple blankets look great.

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    1. Thanks, Jane! I'm glad it's all over with and now I just need to heal. :)

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  5. Dear Serena...so glad all is well and you are feeling better. Love the ripple blanket...great colours...poor Cody...must be very happy you are back...take care

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    1. Thanks so much, Bettyann! Yes, Cody is SO happy to have me home. xx

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  6. Oh Serena..I'm glad to hear that you are at home and recovering in comfort. They really don't keep you in the hospital long. I had two C-sections and was out in three days. Take it easy..don't do any lifting...and cuddle up with your cute dog. Pets really do get so attached...they say that dogs only grow up to the mentality of a two year old child. It's no wonder they can't deal with being left behind. It's devastating to a dog.


    Your crochet work is lovely...you've blended your colours brilliantly!

    ciao bella
    Creative Carmelina

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    1. Thanks, Carmelina! WOW...three days after C-sections is a short time too. Durations of hospital stays have definitely changed over the years. That's how I look at Cody....like one of my kids. We're very close and he follows me everywhere I go in the house. I'm glad it was only an overnight stay. xo

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  7. I'm so glad you're recovering well, Serena. 5 kids?? You are a hero in my eyes! :) Cody sounds like such a little sweetheart. I bet he's glad to have you home - We are too! Love seeing your projects, including the beautiful crochet.

    Hoping you continue to feel better!
    Jenny

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    1. Thanks, Jenny! Yep...FIVE kids...just call me crazy!! LOL I'm looking forward to being online more frequently so hope to have lots more to share over the coming weeks. xx

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  8. Cody looks so sweet and wow, what closeness there is with you. Gla d to read that all went well during surgery. And, glad you're back online.

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    1. Thanks, Sandy....yes, we are very close. He follows me everywhere in the house and always snuggles beside me on the couch or bed. I'm glad to be back too. xx

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  9. and love the afghan - i bought materials to crochet again but haven't brushed up on it yet.

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    1. Thanks, Sandy! I'm sure you'll enjoy the crochet once you get back into it. I hadn't done any for over 12 years and have been enjoying it so much! :)

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  10. Poor Cody! You just plum wore him out with all that worrying. Ha! Glad to hear you are healing nicely. The blanket for Aaron is huge and so beautiful! Lovely colors on the new one, too. And I just love that orange in your Buddha layout. So gorgeous! Have a fabulous rest of the week. Tammy

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    1. Thanks, Tammy! Glad you like all the projects I'm working on. Have a great week too ~ xx

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  11. Aaron's blanket is gorgeous--love the blues and greens. That would be a hard one for me to give away! Happy to hear you're home and recovering well--Cody's probably the best medicine you could've had :)

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    1. Thanks, Cat! Aaron loves his new blanket. Yes, it felt so good to be back home with the kids, Cody and Jack, our other dog, who is Aaron's dog but he likes me a lot too. :)

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  12. aww poor cody :(

    glad things went well :)

    and love the ripple blankets, still haven't made one yet. too much work :p

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    1. Thanks, Jen! Yep, I felt so bad for Cody when I found out how badly he'd missed me.xx

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  13. I think I will make a crocheted ripple blanket as my winter project. I love yours so much! I haven't done any for decades, but I took up knitting again and enjoyed it very much. I love that adorable picture of Cody, and I'm so happy that his person is back where she belongs! Blessings and fast healing to you! :-)

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    1. Thanks, DJan! The blankets are fun to make and helps keep the hands busy while watching TV or DVDs. I love to knit also. Yep, I don't think Cody ever wants me to go away overnight again. xx

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  14. Hi Serena,
    Welcome back my dear. Wishing you a speedy recovery from your Hysterectomy. Did you have a New Procedure where you don't have abdominal incisions? I had a Hysterectomy many years ago and that is one thing I didn't like, the abdominal incision and scar. :(
    Love the blanket that you made. I bet your son is very happy with it. :)
    Ah, poor Cody missed his Mom. :(
    My little Merlin is the same way with me.
    Sending healing hugs your way,

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  15. I must say that Buddha piece is very eye catching! I think its my turn for a blanket next..

    xo

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  16. Hi Serena. I'm glad you are back and on the mend. Yes they do release from the hospital these days very fast. It's not like days gone by. Keep getting better and I hope any/all pains go away. I know what you mean about anxiety with Cody. Chcolatte is the same way if we are gone too long. Sometimes we go to San Jose and we don't take her and when we get back she is huffing and puffing and looks so afraid and happy to see us at the same time. Love your blanket, that is a lot of work. You should make them/sell them. They are awesome. Thanks for stopping by my PPF, always appreciated. I haven't been on much, just for Haiku and PPF. Your journal looks awesome, I love the colors. Take care of yourself amiga and take it easy. Don't do much work, you don't want to tear anything inside. ::hugs::

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  17. Serena I am so glad the op went ok and you are back home. Hope you are taking things easy.

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  18. Oh, Serena! Poor Cody! Well, he survived and so did you. I am so glad you are feeling better. I'm behind on my blog reading and have been trying to catch up all week. Slow process.

    I love those ripple blankets. Aaron's will be perfect colors for his room and love the new baby colors, too. Take it easy. I bet you feel even better and better as the days go by. I bet the creative juices for sketching and painting will start flowing again soon, too. ;)

    Love and hugs!!!! xoxoxox

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