No running

At least there are low impact outdoor sports like kayaking. I am hooked like I am hooked on running. There is nothing better than going out for a nice stroll on Lake Natoma on a non-working Friday. I took out a newbie today. He enjoyed it more than I did. He even questioned why there are not more people doing these things. I question that fact as well. It must be intimidating to some. I am taking out my siblings and cousins next Thursday for their first time. I can't wait to go again! Super excited to introduce this relaxing past time.

exactly a year ago, i was on a bus leaving ho chi minh, vietnam heading towards swviy rieng, cambodia. this year, im where i want to be at this time.

California State Fair 2010

Every year, I always head over to the California State Fair with friends and family. I often go twice when the fair is still ongoing. Yesterday was the first time going since it first opened on July 14th, 2010. The last day is July 31, 2010. So that means I need to hustle over again this week before it ends. I'm hoping my second time will be without a wheelchair.

Breaking the rule!

I'm sure the nurses are getting quite tired of the same questions after each follow up visits.

I found this Q&A from UK's Runner's World site a few moments ago. It's giving me hope. Although, I had a smaller procedure in the abdominal area, my recovery time is only two weeks. Today is day nine. The medical adviser in the article suggests that you can start out gentle running during your recovery time. I'm feeling up for a run later this evening. I'm pretty excited! Hopefully my breathing won't be too labored from my squished diaphragm.

And here is another Q&A column that I really like. The questioner is also an avid runner and a kayaker!

UPDATE: Apparently, *gasping* I don't think I'm quite yet ready. I feel like my insides are about to burst after 5 minutes of gentle jogging. I'm really tired now. I normally can go 1.5 hour or so of heavy running before the surgery. I wonder if I will have to start back at square one once I'm fully recovered. That thought makes me nervous.

Bedridden bitchin': Part III

I'm feeling down. I need to start running, get my adrenaline pumping. Sitting Lying around is making my back hurt. I feel so worthless and weak. When will the pain go away?

Bedridden bitchin': Part II

I didn’t make a full recovery by the next day like I had intended to in part one of the Bedridden bitchin’ series. Apparently, the doctor and nurses are convinced that I dreamt the entire conversation about how I would be making a full recovery within two days after the surgery. Seeing the disappointment in my eyes after being told this, the doctor and nurse assured me that I was indeed very healthy and they don’t see a problem with me resuming to my normal daily activities in the next two weeks.

The day I wrote that post, I was on lots and lots of painkiller medications. Even with the medications, I was still in great pain. The only thing that kept me from literally crying from the pain was to sleep. I couldn’t do much. I couldn’t sit up, stand, or walk. It was a struggle to get to the bathroom on my own. Watching television made me dizzy. My cousin took me out to lunch on Sunday and I threw up on the way there and on the way back. It was horrible!

Lesson learned: The only fun activity I did during my painful week of recovering was sleep. Fun.

My mom kept cooking my favorite dishes, which I couldn’t even eat. Everything sucked that week. I stayed anti-social and didn’t want visitors or anyone to know of my ordeal.

Yesterday, I couldn’t breath correctly so I rushed back to the hospital. Apparently, all my other organs were squishing my diaphragm. I’m still having labored breathing and am told NOT TO DO ANYTHING STRENOUS like simple walking around or picking up my heavy handbag. I went kayaking on Thursday. I didn’t tell the nurse that yesterday. >=)

I really don’t like doing nothing. I miss running. I’m depressed because I can’t run until August. I’m glad I went kayaking to keep my sanity in check. I’m thinking about going again later this week when it isn’t crowded in Lake Natoma.

I’m just grateful that I’m getting better. The nurse says the first 5 days after the surgery are usually the hardest days during the recovery time. But I’m lucky to have eaten right, done the right exercises, and chosen a healthy lifestyle along with great genes that I’m doing much better than most women who had the same operations as I did. I can’t bear the thought of someone going through the same pain I had gone through for more than five days.

It’s been a week since the surgery. It still hurts to walk fast and long. It hurts to stoop down to pick up my dogs. It hurts turn and twists my body. I just have one more week to get over this.

My mom is making more food I can’t digest even if I tried. Yummy stir fried clams in coconut sauce. Oh how I want you so…