Please define "DONE"

Well, as most of you know, L and I have been recovering from our collective surgeries. While the actual surgeries are finished, the surgical procedures were just the beginning. Here is the truth that people may not tell you… surgery and subsequent recovery is HARD. And, frankly, it hurts. I think L and I both underestimated how long it would take to recover (Hazel is the only one who seems to be back to 100% after being spayed on 1/31). Even though laparoscopic surgery is far better and less intrusive that having a larger incision, it is still a big deal that takes a long time to recover from. L is still in pain when she sits too long, or has to lean over. And even though a pinky finger is the smallest of all fingers, putting screws and cadaver bone into it is a big shock to the little guy. I can’t straighten or bend my finger, and still have a large scab type thing that won’t go away.

This brings me to the current issue … I saw the surgeon today for a follow-up. The x-rays look good and the joint is now healed with all its new accoutrements, but he is concerned that the skin is not recovering more quickly. (Though he took some photos, I won’t favor you with them here.) He said that it is unusual for the skin to take this long to heal and said that we might need to consider a skin graft. Yes, you read that right: ANOTHER SURGERY. I have scheduled a second opinion, at his suggestion, and will see another hand surgeon on Thursday. I just can’t understand why my skin isn’t healing better. It scares me that there might be some larger health problem that is keeping my skin from healing. I know that I am prone to “worst-case” thinking when it comes to health issues (just ask L’s sister K who has explained to me at least ten times why every headache I have is NOT an aneurism). But really, why isn’t my body healing?

After the appointment, I went to Whole Foods and bought every supplement I could find that might have any impact on healing/growing skin. I just want to feel like I can do something to support my body and hopefully avoid another surgery. I will let you all know how it goes on Thursday. Hopefully I will get some good news.

Until then, L’s last post about being done makes me feel a little like George Bush in a flight suit standing beneath the “Mission Accomplished” banner.