Three days later

My first couple days of recovery were pretty good. I mean, I was tired and in some pain, but no more than I really expected. But today was different... today was not a good day.

I have been trying to wean myself off the hydrocodone pain meds, stretching it out to six or seven hours between doses yesterday, and then being able to sleep through the night last night without it. When I woke up this morning, I had a feeling I'd be sore, and I was, so I took some more medicine before I got out of bed. As I was getting dressed, my head started to ache all over, so I could hardly stand light or sound. The doctors said I would likely experience headaches because of the loss of spinal fluid, and that laying down would help. So I reclined in my chair for a while and felt better. I decided to get up and have some breakfast, but the headache instantly came back and worse, I felt nauseous.

From there, the day got worse... getting sick multiple times, having migraines, sleeping it off, not having energy for anything else... it's about as close to experiencing morning sickness or chemo side effects as I can imagine. I don't know how accurate that is, and I'm truly sorry to those who have endured those things and know I'm not even close, but it makes sense to me - I have this foreign object inside me, and a new cocktail of medicine that I've never had before, fighting against an enemy I've been tolerant of for 32 years. Who knows what's happening today on a molecular level with my body?

As the day ends, I'm feeling stronger and more stable. I've switched from Hydrocodone to Extra Strength Tylenol. I'm not nauseous, and my brain doesn't feel like its forcing its way through my head anymore, so that's good. Mom made my favorite homemade cookies, Dad worked a crossword puzzle with me, and we watched Anne of Green Gables, so body, mind, and soul, I am much improved.

Kevan sent me this quote tonight, from J.M. Barrie's book, The Little White Bird, which he said reminded him of an interaction between me and God right now:

David: "Is it going on now?" 
Barrie: "What?" 
David: "The adventure." 
Barrie: "Yes, David." 

I don't know if my pain and sickness today was due to the surgery, the drug treatment, or the pain medicine, but whatever the cause, I know it was just part of the journey - part of this adventure that God and I are taking together.