February 15 to 22, 2011, A VERY GOOD WEEK
Oak Tree view from my deck - Home Sweet Home.....
Mark had been going back and forth from Sonoma to San Francisco, acted as night watchman sleeping in a chair, worked all day and somehow prepared the house for my return. I had slept very little in the hospital and welcomed the familiar feel of my own bed and home. Mark was so exhausted I was afraid he was ill.
I was not to be alone so friends took turns watching me during the day while working family members stopped-in to check on me. Cards, notes, calls and food boosted my spirits and amazed me. I heard from people I had not talked with for years and from others I knew only slightly. I had never experienced such kindness.
I was scheduled to begin Physical Therapy in two weeks. Meanwhile, I took walks to build my stamina and did simple exercises to regain balance. Getting accustomed to hearing with only one ear wasn’t as difficult as I expected. The main problem was adjusting to the direction of sounds thinking the noise was coming from the left when it was bouncing off surfaces originating on the right. The headaches were less intense each day and I was doing without pain medication much of the time.
The incision was still covered with bandages. The area was swollen and sore but the pain not unbearable. The ear ringing was distracting and the “puffy-head” feeling reminded me I was not back to normal. I had no facial seizures; just a few twitches now and then. WOW! This was so awesome.
Nothing Smelled or Tasted Good....
I had no appetite. Smells were overwhelming and not pleasant. I could spell a minute amount of cleansing product, perfume or food three rooms away. Everything tasted peculiar, not at all like I remembered. I still craved a taco and when a friend brought me a Taco Bell bag filled with my favorite fast food I was thrilled, then disappointed. The only familiar thing about these tacos was the crunch. Oh well! I still could afford to loose a few pounds. By the weekend, I felt so good I told the “sitters” I no longer needed to be watched over. I would be careful. I would not go anywhere in the house without my cell phone. I knew falling would not be a good thing!
Garden at De Young Art Museum near UCSF Medical Center
My first check-up with Dr. Parsa and his team was that next Tuesday, February 22, two weeks after the surgery. Mark drove me into San Francisco, my first day dressed like a regular person. It was marvelous to see the world and be a part of it once again. I was feeling well, walking straight, sitting tall with only slight headaches.
The team was thrilled with my progress pronouncing me “the poster child.” I was told I could do anything I felt like doing, but to take it easy. When I left UCSF my doctors and assistants were waving and cheering me onward. I was exhausted, but exhilarated. I would see them in six months.
