I’m sure you recognize the feeling when you take the first shower when you haven’t had a shower for a while. Not only was my shower yesterday one of my top ten showers, but the feeling when I put my own clothes on was fantastic, and getting big hugs from James and Benjamin was so wonderful after only being touched by glove covered hands for a week, and Chess’ gentle tongue meticulously licking my hand that had had the most recent IV was so soothing. Sweet loyal Chess has not wanted to leave my side since I came home. He is practicing the opposite of social distancing by staying at least within six feet at all times – except when he needs to check if the pool needs more water – long ago he decided that is one of his important morning tasks.

I have gotten numerous messages on the blog and in private both before the surgery and during my recovery. I have been able to answer and get back to very few of you and I apologize profusely, but I am not ignoring you. Your non stop support is so heartwarming and motivating and helps me enormously keeping my spirits up and pushing me to recover daily. I am so lucky to have you cheering me on. Your support means the world to me. Thank you!

Today I’m planning on spending a fair amount of time laying down, sitting and all positions in between laying and sitting. I will also do some laps in the backyard and at least try to take one short lap around the neighborhood. Benjamin wanted to take Chess for the same walk last night, but they didn’t get far before Chess refused to walk further and pulled Benjamin back home, but today I’ll join them. After my surgery in January I got a wide tight waist band. It was so good to put that on last night for belly and back support. Not only is my incision hurting, but because my abdominal muscles are very weak now and my core muscles are on vacation other muscles try to compensate and then of course they start to hurt as well. The waist band helps me straighten up more and that relaxes my back, hips and shoulders and will definitely help my to be able to walk more.

Another important task I have today is to write a grocery list to give to James before he heads for the store. Since my gut microbiome is almost non existent at the moment I have the unique opportunity to fill up with as much good bacterias as possible. I have never been a sweet tooth, but even less now. As you know the hospital food did not impress me, and on top of that I was stunned that most of my initial food and drink choices were so very very sweet. It still makes me nauseous just thinking about it. I have read and have learned to believe that your gut microbiome largely controls sweet cravings. Now with no gut microbiome a little sweet goes a long way for me, too many sweet bites just puts me off – and more so now than ever before. I found that to be a pretty interesting observation. So I will do what my body tells me to do; fill up with microbes that don’t appreciate large sugar loads.