Still waiting for full recovery..............

Well this isn't the best photo of my face!! I don't seem to be able to smile and not talk when a photo is being taken!!

I have been really enjoying the range of skirts that suit me now!! I used to have to stick to the skirts that pretty much just hung down! I am dressed for a day of client visits in this picture!

Well, I am still waiting to have the feeling of full recovery! I still have a dressing on a spot that is still oozing. I know the saying is better out than in, but it is driving me nuts!! My poor skin around the spot is not coping with the tape that has to be continually put on and ripped off. I still have swelling in that area and I still get swelling on my tummy at the end of the day. The level of soreness changes each day depending on what I have been doing. I am desperate to increase the intensity of my exercise, but when I do a decent jog or have a really big hill walk, I suffer for it for a few days. I am so fed up with that!!

I have been in communication with my surgeon's nurse, but they just give a sympathetic response and tell me to keep in touch particularly if the open wound site looks red and inflamed or if I become unwell. I am going to see my GP tomorrow and get him to have a good look at the wound and see what suggestions or help he can give me. It is approaching 4 months since surgery and I just didn't expect to still be having these troubles at this stage. This is the stage I was hoping to be considering the next stage of surgery. But that is way, way off at this stage. I still have days where I am quite emotional and low about the whole experience. One night I just wanted to scream to have the skin put back on me. That was a night that I couldn't even get relief from the tight and sore feeling while laying in bed.

I am disappointed that it is taking so long to recover, especially as I worked so hard pre surgery to be at my absolute fittest. We just can't predict what our bodies will do, or how it will respond to stress and trauma.

But on the positive side, I still get such lovely encouragement from people and I am loving the shopping and being able to go into what ever shop I like!! I have to be grateful that I am able to work full time again and that I can do some form of exercise daily. I am also pleased that I have maintained my change in what I eat. I can confidently say that I have made lifestyle changes that will last my life time to ensure that I don't put weight back on again. Of course I have treats like dark chocolate, but I had always incorporated treats into my diet. Lifestyle change isn't about depriving yourself of everything you enjoy!!

So, here's hoping for advances in my recovery....................