THE PUSSY POSSE

Sitting next to me as I write this is a plastic pink vomit basin...just in case. I've never seen a 'how-to' paragraph on cleaning up vomit from a keyboard in any computer handbook. There are clearly written side effects on the pamphlets that come with pain medication, specifically Percocet (oxycodone). Nausea & vomiting are the two that scare me most. As this is my last weekend before my scheduled spinal fusion surgery on the 17th, I spent the day trying to get things in order around the house and yard. Clearly, as evidenced by the pain in my low back, I overdid it...once again. I also hit the YMCA pool for one last time, as I am not going to be allowed to swim (or take a bath, for that matter) for a month or so. Don't fret, though, you can shower. They just don't want your incisions soaking in water.

After a shower and some pasta I decided that I needed to take one Percocet, as the pain level was beginning to increase slowly. About an hour later the nausea has hit like a tidal wave. Inbetween keystrokes here and there I took an anti-nausea pill (Ondansetron) that I had left over from last years emergency room visit. It helped a bit, but I'm still fighting with my stomach in the hopes of not returning my dinner. I intended for this post to be longer, but more than likely will have to cut it short.



Leo and Chester

 I want to mention how important it is to prepare your home for your return. Especially if you have pets. As we don't have children,  I can't comment on the prep for them. We have three cats who are all very vocal and people-loving. They tend to get under foot a lot, and in our tiny home (1000 square feet) it can be a problem. They love to hang out at the bedroom door while we are sleeping and 'escort' us to the bathroom at night...actually ANY time we go to the bathroom. In even the best of  circumstances, we've both come real close to tripping over them. Knowing that I'll be shuffling along to get from place to place, we learned real quick last year to leave a light on in the kitchen and a nightlight in the bathroom to aid in making sure I didn't trip over a furball. Furthermore, I can say that you will be VERY sensitive to the SLIGHTEST touch or jostle to your bed. It will send a shockwave through your body, elevating your pain. This fact made it impossible to allow our felines into my bedroom. I hated denying them access, but knew that any type of fall immediately after fusion could have dire consequences. My husband was also banished from the bed...that's just the way it had to be for me. In fact, as I write this, he is installing his little flatscreen television from his garage workshop in my bedroom for my viewing pleasure as I recuperate.

Will close for today, as another nausea wave is beginning to crest and I am not a good surfer at all.