As most of you probably know by now, I have spent the last several weeks recovering from a ruptured appendix and several weeks later, surgery to remove said appendix. I had appendicitis for TEN weeks, and was walking around with a ruptured appendix for a few days before I went to the hospital. This did a lot of other damage to my body, and I am lucky to be alive. The road to recovery has been long, but I am making progress every day.

This has definitely been the craziest thing I have ever been through and I am so grateful for my amazing family and friends. From the hospital visits, cards and the beautiful flowers, home visits, phone calls, emails, IMs, video chatting and Facebook messages, every thought counted and they all mean so much to me. Recovery has been a lot easier because of everyone that has been involved.

I am happy to say that I am currently in the middle of my third week back at work. Today is Wednesday, my prescribed day of rest (I think of it as an RX that I fill myself instead of going to the pharmacy!) which was much needed today.

With everything I have been through one of the most important things I have learned is to listen to my body. Today I was tired. A lot of the times I am tired these days, it is part of the recovery process. But now I know that there are a few different types of tired and a couple of them have to do with your exercise routine. For me, sometimes I can be tired and that will just mean that I should push myself a little harder and go to the gym. While I am not okayed to run yet, I do have approval (and encouragement) to get exercise a few times a week on the treadmill and bike. I have been going to the gym quite a bit and it has been great. I love walking on the treadmill and using the stationary bike – the endorphins from exercise really make me feel alive and happy. I hope I will get the ok to start lifting light weights and running soon (my fingers are crossed). I try to get exercise about five days a week – some days more than others.

Today was a different sort of tired. It was time to listen to my body, and as much as I wanted to go to the gym and walk, or ride, or try the elliptical machine again, I think my body was telling me to rest today. So I did. I forfeited my gym visit and did not feel guilty about it. I went on my errands, accomplished them all and treated my hands to a much needed manicure instead of torturing my tired body on the treadmill for 45 minutes.

I am hoping that by resting up today, I’ll be able to feel better and more energetic tomorrow – and hopefully head to the gym after work tomorrow.

Recovery is a long process. I have heard from many people (doctors and friends, too) that it takes your body ONE YEAR to fully recover from a serious illness and surgery like I have been through. I feel like I have made a lot of progress, but there is still a lot to be made.  

I am thankful that I have my appetite back. I am thankful for the color coming back to my face. I am thankful that I haven’t lost all of my hair (and hopefully I won’t – but I’ve lost a lot of it!). I am thankful for not being in pain. I am thankful for restful sleep. I am thankful that I no longer have an IV in my arm. I am thankful for all of the doctors and nurses that cared for me during the weeks I was in the hospital. I am thankful for the best mom and sister a person could ask for. I am thankful for so many things – too many things to list right now. But most of all I am thankful for my health, happiness, life and my loving, supportive family and friends.

I am signing off for now. Right now I am sitting in front of my warm and cozy fireplace, and I am going to go back to my book and hopefully finish it this afternoon. I hope you will all take a moment to pause and think of things that you are thankful for in your life 🙂

See you in a bit!

PS: I am totally throwing myself a belated birthday party / post – op party the moment I pay my last hospital bill (they come in the mail on an almost daily basis) – stay tuned!