Nerves Awaken, Healing Progress

Twenty days post-op and sixteen days after bilateral pulmonary embolisms, my body is slowly acclimating to its new normal. The strangest sensation is that of my nerves awakening – the feelings range from the unsettling prickle of needles to the peculiar sensation of a feather’s gentle touch against the sole of my foot. With each passing day, these experiences are a clear sign that my body is gradually healing, reconnecting and recalibrating.

The incision is progressing well, showing signs of healthy healing with minimal discomfort. For the first time since surgery, I no longer need the aid of pain medications, a milestone that’s not lost on me. Each step away from artificial pain management is a step closer to my pre-surgery state.

Keeping up with my recovery regime, I’ve incorporated daily walks into my routine. What started as short, tentative steps around the house has gradually expanded to longer, more confident strolls around the neighborhood. The movement feels good, affirming, reminding me that my body is more resilient than I give it credit for.

Despite this progress, I am still experiencing some shortness of breath, a residual effect of the pulmonary embolisms. To combat this, I’ve been using an Incentive Spirometer to guide slow, steady, and deep breaths. It’s a subtle workout, strengthening my lungs as they build their capacity back up to pre-embolism levels. I trust that with time, and continued use, my breaths will regain their depth and ease.

As I navigate through this recovery process, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and patience I have received from friends, family, and medical professionals. It’s been a roller-coaster of a journey, marked by fear, hope, setbacks, and triumphs, all of which have led me to a greater understanding and appreciation for the power and resilience of the human body.

Now, as I inch towards a new sense of normalcy, I’m filled with anticipation and curiosity. I am eager to see what the future holds, how my body will continue to heal, and how I will adapt to these changes.

Thank you again for your continued support. It truly means the world to me. Here’s to the future and whatever it may bring – and to the health and strength we find within ourselves every single day.