On a summer day or a regular work day, I’d be taking a break now after hitting my stride around mid-morning. Today, one week post-surgery, I was home from errands and appointments by 10:00 and ready to settle in for a long winter’s nap. And it’s all good. I’m recognizing that.
Step one: since I’m not driving yet (the discharge instructions said two weeks), so Petunia came over to do the driving. We always chat on the way, so that’s good.
Step two: health “assessment” at my school building. Basic blood draw, height, weight, blood pressure, body mass index. Optional, supposedly, but you know how these things work. If I “participate”, I get a small discount on my insurance premiums. If I don’t, well, I don’t. Many of us with chronic and/or recent health conditions resent this requirement because it offers us no new information. .
I did it anyway, nodded my head at the nurse who told me I was overweight (honey, I just dropped five pounds, some of that in removal of reproductive organs, and I already feel better) and my body mass index put me in a danger range. I’m aware of this problem, among others. I’ll deal with it head on.
Step two and a half: breakfast! The Clinic That Shall Not Be Named hosts a small branch of a local coffeehouse, so Petunia and I treated ourselves to refreshing beverages and I had a little breakfast. Yum.
As we got up to go, I was the recipient of a random act of kindness. A young man wearing a stethoscope paid for my refill. I didn’t know him, or at least I didn’t recognize him. It was surprising and a little unusual.
Step three: post op follow up appointment with surgeon. He answered my questions, told me what to expect, set me up with a follow up visit, and then we were done. Quick, painless, and on my way.
Step three and a half: stop home and pick up package for mailing.
Step four: Go to post office, mail package.
Step five: That’s enough steps for one week post-surgery. It’s time to rest. But first, I’ll reheat my coffee (thanks, random stranger!) and settle into my favorite corner of the couch to watch a morning news show. Ah, the simple pleasures.
Okay, readers, here’s my question for you. Please suggest various random acts of kindness. Next time I have the opportunity, I’ll pay it forward in honor of the stranger who bought my coffee. Random acts of kindness can be small; they just need to be unexpected and kind.
I give in. Much of the land is experiencing wild weather, and much of that stormy weather is in areas that aren’t used to being pounded and pummeled like we are in the upper Midwest. They get snow, but not piles like ours. Here’s the weather map. Please think warm thoughts and send good vibes toward my friends in Kansas.