Day 1 Surgery

The morning of my surgery was anything but typical. When I arrived at the hospital, any residual jitters were practically nonexistent. The "heads-up, chin-out" mantra became concrete. I literally, sat in preadmission with a well made-up mind to go with the flow. I was confident and determined, well until I ran out of FB updates and started checking the wall clock every few minutes. Ah...the resurfacing of the inevitable, and uninvited jitter parade.

Finally, our number was called and I was ushered back to the dim-lighted den of apprehension and fear. By today' standards and protocols, most patient teaching is so detailed and with the internet packed with information, the public is almost medically certified and surgically astute. You are responsible for sterilizing your person, nasal cavity while assuring you are fluent in medicalese. I expect civilization to gravitate to self-operation in the next five years. Eighty percent of the population will be capable of administering personal anesthesia while a preprogrammed robot performs the surgery.  Anyway, back to my reality. As soon as the nurse stated; "you'll start to feel sleepy..." I woke up in a hospital room, all loopy and elated to have jumped the first of many hurdles.

Pain is as guaranteed as opening your eyes and realizing you've undergone an invasive procedure. The secret to maintaining a civilized response is to take a few "woosahs," and introduce yourself to your temporary pain-partner.

Next...coming to the stage; RECOVERY

Surgery Eve

The proverbial, "action speaks louder than words," becomes crystal clear as you prepare for surgery. Whether corrective surgery or cosmetic surgery, any procedure that requires anesthesia causes mild to major concern. Who knows what truly goes on while one is sedated, right?

Actually, there were many factors to consider when my husband and I were offered the option to undergo a total knee replacement procedure. Primarily because I've needed the surgery since before we met, however, due to guidelines imposed by the "powers that be," stated my health options were limited. "Go figure." At the genesis of my orthopedic woes, in my mid-forties, the devices were not as advanced as the current materials used, so it seems the "greater-later," factor proved beneficial. "Go figure!"
The wear and tear on my knee cap continued to react defiantly even though I lost, as the saying goes, "mad weight," the clicking, burning, buckling, and the excruciating pain was beyond what I could personally bear. Thankfully, in preparing for the inevitable I took a long mental survey of how this temporary bed-rest might affect our household. Mind you, I don't have small children to consider, well human children. We do however parent to lovies; Pearl and Emma a dog and cat respectfully. But, their well-being is mandatory. Next, was the more important of my immediate family concerns, my loving husband. How would my surgery affect his livelihood and more importantly his health? My husband is epileptic however by the grace of God, we have maintained a minimal season of seizures. Stress is definitely a concern when caring for a loved one, and also a gateway to provoking seizures. Ensuring he maintains a low-glucose diet has been his personal goal for years before we met, so we're good in the aspect.

Next, there's the subject of insufferable post-surgery. Mentally preparing for the rehab and the pain induced at the mention of rehab becomes all too surreal. I've actually been there before in a more life-threatening turn of events; acute compartment syndrome which kept me hospitalized for almost thirty days. I was the victim of a stray bullet in my right lower leg and recuperating was one of the hardest periods in my young adult life. And, yes that injury became the nemesis to the opposite leg.

So, here we are this surgery-eve not reliving the past, but accepting the proverbial; "no pain, no gain." The fear factor at this particular moment is a back-burner issue, especially since the administrative issues that ensued prior to this blog was stressful enough. But that's another subject matter. Prayerfully, I will continue to share this journal of expectation and the will to reach a better quality of life. My goal is to enter my senior years gracefully. I believe this is the beginning of better days to come.

PreAdmission

Pre-Surgery Butterflies - Prologue

What to expect before any surgery becomes a haunting daydream and constant afterthought in even the most minimal day-to-day occurrences. No matter the positive "vibes," and believers faith strong enough to move mountains, the inevitable human will succumb to the world of worry, and anxiousness.
The good news is there's hope beyond the approved preadmission jitters. If the surgery will improve your quality of life, half the battle is already won in the battle to defeat those pesky "butterflies."

So let's dwell on the subject matter of "post surgery." And, let's take it a step further as I open my journal of "before, during and after," my total knee replacement. Thankfully, my husband has exceeded every expectation in attending every appointment leading up to our decision to opt-in to knee surgery. The home preparation was actually a no-brainer and flawlessly executed. Funny, how I expected a few minor adjustments, yet the greatest adjustment was mental. So...I plan not to just encourage, but rather share my journey. Hopefully, my experience will enlighten future patients beyond the must watch "what to expect," video.

A ⭐ OF INSPIRATION

🌟VERB
fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative:

🌟NOUN
the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative:

The most profound of circumstances surrounding the most prolific artist in the last two millenniums became their latter inspirations to succeed. Ray Charles succumbed to a temporary drug addiction only to rise above the odds and continue to inspire musicians worldwide. Despite his childhood circumstances which left him blind, the star of his inspiration was the resounding reminders that blindness would never cripple his dreams if he pressed beyond doubt. The countless testimonies of career-oriented and successful individuals who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds are beacons of light to those of us who are focused and assured that we were born to serve a greater purpose.

Not every success story includes an audience of fans or supporters, however, it will usually include that one individual who believed beyond any whispers of doubt that you would succeed in your endeavors. You know that one special shoulder or voice or both, that cheers you on during those battles of mental fatigue. In most deemed success stories it was that parent which saw the best in that child or the spouse or friend who would become that tool which God used as His voice of encouragement, as well as the actions of that appointed star of inspiration which speak louder than their verbal support. 

Your journey to succeed may also include a stranger of success who will sort of waltz into your life and become a silent mentor. They may not inspire to inspire you, however, there are subtle words graced by a humility which sticks close to your heart.  Not every celebrity placed in your path is a door of opportunity to pursue your dreams, however, if you utilize the gift of communication you may just learn an inspirational thing or two.

There are vaults of examples to take in consideration when one considers the cost of stepping out in faith and becoming a designed sole purpose. The example of a songwriter who never experienced pain would have a hard time portraying healing in the lyrics of a song. Most suspense writers have either experienced firsthand the results of a murder investigation or they've interviewed the murderer. And, even if the information is appalling to the point of personal disgust, writing the story becomes the sole inspiration of the writer. And, you can best believe most authors dedicate entire books to that one honorable individual who cheered them on, even if multiple names were mentioned. 

The team of one is never a wise choice in pursuing goals or dreams, especially in the field of entertainment. Even though that committed star of your inspiration is not always readily available, the words of encouragement can surface at the most critical of moments. Whether that star of inspiration no longer exists in this earthly realm, the spirit of their words do. You have the gift to encourage yourself, however never forget God created teams of supporters, but you can only listen to one voice at a time. Find or pray about the one confidante who becomes that voice of reason and clarity when pursuing academic excellence, or visions of leadership in a greater the most capacity. The greatness appointed to those of us destined to accomplish greater than our humble or sometimes horrific beginnings may become a star of inspiration to the least expected.

May Will 2017

May Will (Author, Poet, Freelance Writer): Motivations

May Will (Author, Poet, Freelance Writer): Motivations: Ever thought of what your motivation in life should be? Whatever your motivation in life, let it at least exemplify; "for the good of m...

Motivations

Ever thought of what your motivation in life should be? Whatever your motivation in life, let it at least exemplify; "for the good of mankind." Mind you not all of our goals in life will serve a humanitarian cause, but at least our purpose shouldn't cause hardship to others. Our motivations should relieve hardships to widows, children, our communities and those suffering hunger and disease relentlessly abroad if we follow the missionaries creed. However, the atheist, agnostic and the nation of Luciferians adhere to a different protocol.

Even the politically correct and the moral fiber, especially in the United States, has grown cold and amoral. "Every man for themselves," and the proverbial, "survival of the fittest." There will never be an easy way out or a generic solution which will alleviate any and all problems of such a diverse and wicked generation. As was before Christ' descent to earth and post His marvelous and unprecedented acts to save His beloved, the evolution of wickedness continues as a spiritual pandemic.

Actually, even the pulpits can't offer the perfect solution to today's quickened degradation. God did not inspire men to record His Word to magically alleviate humanities sufferings. However, there are guides of subtle relief, if applied with diligence and commitment. Reading the Bible with a closed heart, and an analytical mind makes for confusion to the reader. However, those who seek not just answers to their personal loss of hope, but also the spiritual validity of what has been repeated throughout the ages as though the scriptures are authored primarily by man, will find comfort and the will to adjust to any situation. Life will go on, and one's journey will continue whether they wish to participate godly or not. The innate will to thrive is embedded in the heart of humanity, and the soul is remiss without a spiritual initiative. The problem arises when one chooses to ignore the righteousness appointed to mankind through the undeniable resurrection of Christ.

So, the question will always surface when we halt between two opinions; what's your motivation, and why pursue any journey in life that will not validate you? But, who are you? The answer lays within, not just the psyche of mankind void of a spiritual rebirth, but more so within the predestined will of God to answer that very question. Humanity is the fruit of God's love and will to introduce Himself to an extension of Himself. We are made in His image. Though we pilgrimage through maze after maze of trickery and deception as a house of mirrors in our personal pathways, we can always depend on a light to guide us through; God! The ultimate motivation in life is finding ourselves within God. Everything else will concur to God's predestined will.

Searching for motivation

May Will