Sunday, February 27, 2011

Growing


Yesterday, I unloaded all the mushroom compost from the pickup truck and put it in the raised beds in the garden.  It felt good to shovel and tote.  The garden is one of the things that C. loves the most.  That and the flower beds that bring forth an abundance of color in the spring, summer and fall.  The pansies are still in full bloom.  They are happy flowers. 

All appears to be going well.  The nurses help to get her out of bed and sitting up in a chair.  One of the things I have learned about cardiothoracic surgery is that it helps to have a pillow to squeeze on your chest when asked to cough.  And coughing is one of the things that she has to do--to strengthen the lungs and clear them.  She has a heart pillow that is given to each patient.  Someone in the waiting room said that it will be her best friend.  

I didn't realize that she would have the heart pillow yesterday.  I wanted to get her a stuffed animal.  Mostly all I saw were Easter bunnies and chickens.  But in one store I saw a Pillow Pet dog.  I remembered about her needing a pillow so I thought the stuffed dog pillow would be happy and useful.  She was in so much pain yesterday but hugged the little dog.  I hate to see her in pain.  They are giving her morphine and oxycodone.  Seeing her nodding off after the medication hits bothers me.  I wish that it were me instead of her going through this. 

Still, life is moving along.  Every day she will grow stronger and the pain will lessen.  Every day is a good day to be alive. 

25 comments:

  1. Syd, my father had sextuple bypass surgery in 1991. Although C. is just starting her surgical recovery, you will be amazed at the progress she makes in the next few weeks. I remember feeling what you are feeling now--wishing you could take the "bullet" for them. I'm sure that your love and support will keep her going...just make sure YOU do some good self care and rest when you can. I'm sure you're using everything in your "toolbox", but sometimes it's easy to forget when you are so concerned about a loved one.

    Thinking of you and C.

    Monica

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  2. I think the work you're doing in the garden is a healing and wonderful thing for you and your wife. She's recuperating from surgery, you're keeping things going and making a nice garden for her to enjoy when she's feeling better.

    I imagine that she'll love the puppy pillow you got for her and thanks for the pansies and hope for Spring. A few more inches of snow today, so pansies brightened gray thoughts and feelings. In another month or so, we'll have pansies here. Can hardly wait.

    Take good care of yourself.

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  3. A friend in AA says, "Pain is a good sign, it means you're still around to feel it!"
    We can't save our loved ones from pain, but we do what we can, and working on your wife's beloved garden while she's unable, is a gift of love.

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  4. You are such a sweet husband Syd. I can imagine watching her nod off is tough. I wouldn't like that either. I am praying for her speedy recovery.

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  5. tears. i know it is hard to see the one you love in pain...the pillow pet is adorable and i know she appreciated it...prayers syd...

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  6. One minute at a time, Syd. I remember well this process with my dad. It's arduous, but she will be healthier on the other end.

    Prayers are with you.

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  7. Know the scene. My prayers are with you and C. Best thing you can do for her is to take care of yourself.Don't forget you need some hugs yourself.

    Jim

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  8. ah bless your little cottons..
    sending lots of warm fuzzies to you and C :)
    hang in there a day at a time. keep the faith. this too shall pass..

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  9. and here's my hug for you, Syd.

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  10. Your candle is still burning and tonight I am thinking of how much richer our love for our Dear Ones becomes as we face the tough and true realities of life as we get older.

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  11. I am glad to see C has so much love and support to get her through this time Syd.

    And yes Syd, things do get better a day at a time as I have recently been reminded after breaking my collar bone.

    I will need to remember that when I have shoulder surgery soon.

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  12. Syd I think it is incredible that both of you were on top of her illness. I am grateful today that I am present more in my life this means taking care of myself physically. With the help of Alanon life is unfolding just the way it's supposed to.
    Wanted to share this quote

    "What you do for yourself – any gesture of kindness, any gesture of gentleness, any gesture of honesty and clear seeing toward yourself – will affect how you experience your world. In fact, it will transform how you experience the world. What you do for yourself you're doing for others, and what you do for others, you're doing for yourself." ~ Pema Chödrön

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  13. My nephew had this surgery a couple of years ago. I remember well the heart pillow. He is doing great by the way, and I wish the same for your beloved C.

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  14. Syd,
    I am relieved to hear that C. is doing fine. I thought of you two all weekend.

    Love,

    SB

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  15. So grateful to know that C is healing, even though it's difficult to see the pain thank God there is progress and this is another experience that will become such a wonderful help to others as they see the strength that you both have to go through this as gracefully as you do!

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  16. May you find peace during this difficult time and C. heals and gains physical strength.

    Prayer of St. Francis by Sarah MacLachlan

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VSyuar6oF8

    recoverywfaith

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  17. When C is recovered Syd---how are you going to keep up with her?

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  18. I've finally caught up on your dear heart's suffering. Your resilience and positivity are inspiring, Syd.

    I am glad to see that you are using the simple encouragement of your program to live each day one at a time, to its fullest. Sometimes that means using our joy to balance out the more troubling emotions. Take good care of yourself.... for that care is necessary as we heal our day to day emotional hurts...

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  19. Your love and devotion are some of the best medicines she can have administered to her. They say that day 3 is the worst and let's hope it's uphill from now on.

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  20. Garden? Can I come live with YOU? And I'm keeping you in my prayers.

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  21. My heart is with you as you watch C recover. I wish her a speedy path back to health. In the midst of this trail you have each other and flowers! What a gift.

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  22. Syd I was thinking of you and C yesterday while I worked in my garden, such as it is. You and she are both in my prayers.

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  23. Syd, I am just now catching up on blog reading and was shocked to see what you and your wife have been through this past week. I am happy to hear she is recovering...I will pray now that I know. You truly are in my heart and thoughts...God's blessings on you both.

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  24. Syd, what a wonderful gift to have pansies in bloom. I woke up this morning to 19-degree weather. ... My prayers that the drugs don't interfere with C's recovery. And yours. much love, G

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