A big thank you to all who have sent prayers and good wishes my way.
The surgeon's report was written in medical spider-scrawl, but I picked out the words "severely degenerate". I wondered what words might have slipped out from that place between consciousness and anaesthesia. However the words refered to severely degenerated cartilage, the result of sixty thousand miles on a bicycle followed by fifteen thousand on horseback.
This evening Brena waited to welcome me, neighing as I approached. She seemed as pleased to see me as I was to see her. Two days can be a long time in horse ownership.
Surgery went as well as could be expected. I went out like a light, then came round and talked rubbish to a pretty Irish nurse whose voice sounded lovely. Unsurprisingly, my hip was stiff and sore, and for the first few hours I could not feel my right leg owing to a spinal anaesthetic.
It had rained hard all day, clearing in the evening after I had been brought home. Brena was muddy from rolling on the wet churned up ground. She seems comfortable like that, as if it is her natural state. She was happy to be fed too, as usual.
I spent yesterday and today recovering. First I found that movement was possible assisted by a pair of crutches. Pain did not wait ready to pounce, giving me confidence to move more. Half a day after surgery I was able to pass water again, for a spinal anaesthetic tends to freeze that function for a while. The threat of a catheter does wonders for perseverence.
The evening sky was wild and mixed. Tall thunderclouds reared distant and far-off lightning flashed. Nearer slate-grey sheets and fragments cluttered a pool of light blue. A cold front had passed leaving unstable changeability in its wake - autumn's harbinger.
The next few days are going to be spent getting as active as possible, for that is the current medical wisdom: keep moving up to the limit imposed by discomfort metamorphosing into pain.
Meanwhile more rain is forecast. I'm missing little on the riding front. Perhaps the surgery was well timed? Anyway it was necessary. Meanwhile I'll be glad for fragments of sunshine that will be good for the soul. The more of these, the better, as days shorten towards winter.
Good to hear that the surgery went well, and hope you heal properly and quickly.
Posted by: Shirley | August 27, 2011 at 03:54 AM
Awww.. what a sweet picture of Brena welcoming you back. :)
She missed you.
You have put a lot of well-spent miles on. Time to rest...and restore. You'll be back in the saddle in no time.
Enjoy your beams of sunshine that manage through the clouds and know that it was a good investment to get this done. No time like the present...
Glad to hear you're doing so well. Take care.
Posted by: Wrexie | August 27, 2011 at 05:52 AM
I'm doing well again today. Managed to walk the dogs this afternoon with Danielle to lead them as they pull. Being able to rest is welcome. It feels as if my body is craving hours of sleep so as to regenerate. I have a sense that the physical ailment came about in part to slow me down so that my mind too can rest. In this busy world so much tiredness is in the mind more than the body.
Posted by: White Horse Pilgrim | August 28, 2011 at 01:45 AM
J ~ I didn't realize you were going in so quickly for the surgery. So belated Wellness Wishes... You have been on my mind but I haven't been posting much just now.
Posted by: Horseideology | August 29, 2011 at 12:05 AM
B - it was really quick, being on my employer's health insurance: they want us back to the grind as quickly as possible. I seem pretty mobile now - wondering how soon I'll be able to get on a horse.
You've been busy, I know, and I have been thinking of you too. I do hope that your changes are all for the best. Good luck with everything.
Posted by: White Horse Pilgrim | August 29, 2011 at 12:10 AM
From recent experience I know that sometimes the body collapses to give the mind a chance to refocus. I'm glad your surgery went well, enjoy your time off! Comfrey ointment is a great healer for anything related to bone and also excellent for lower backpain.
Posted by: Sandra | August 29, 2011 at 10:54 PM
J - I believe the Comfrey should be an external poultice; internally you need a herbalist to fix the dosage. JMO. :)
Posted by: Horseideology | August 30, 2011 at 03:42 AM
Hope you are recovering well and back in the saddle soon. Best wishes to you.
Posted by: Nor'dzin Pamo | September 13, 2011 at 10:35 PM