Here we are again with another weekly update. I promised myself I’d write a recap for each of the first four weeks after surgery. Later, I’ll probably post less often, because the changes will likely be smaller and this “new normal” will just become everyday life. But for now, let’s dive into week two.
How I’m feeling
This week, I noticed something encouraging: I actually have a little more energy when I wake up. Not compared to life before surgery, but compared to last week, and that in itself feels like progress. It comes just in time, too, since my sick leave ended and I’m back to work. Still from home, but back in that rhythm again.
Sleep is more comfortable now, and my wounds don’t hurt nearly as much, especially when sitting or standing up. According to the instructions I was given, this was the week to stop using Band-Aids. I probably could have done it a little earlier, but I played it safe. Honestly, the worst part was the glue, it really irritated my skin in places. But otherwise, everything looks like it’s healing well. No warning signs, thankfully. Sometimes the wounds itch a little, but I’m taking that as a good sign.
For the curious, I even snapped a photo. You can see the reddish spots from the band-aid glue. The big bruise is still from the hospital blood thinner injection. Interestingly, the injections my partner gave me left barely any trace, just a couple of tiny dots.
A quick note about my period
(Feel free to skip this if you’d rather not read about it.) My period started this week, and honestly, I was nervous. I had read that it can be much heavier and more painful after surgery because the body is still in recovery mode and hormones are all over the place. Luckily, it wasn’t too bad. The cramps were a bit stronger than usual, and the bleeding a little heavier, but manageable.
Also, this week I gave myself the very last of ten blood thinner injections. That chapter is officially over, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
What’s still tough
The biggest challenge is still digestion. My bowels don’t want to work without Microlax, and even then, it’s uncomfortable and painful. One time, I thought I could manage on my own, but after hours of trying, I realised my body wasn’t quite ready. Hopefully, this starts to improve soon, because right now, going to the bathroom is really not pleasant.
Another thing, I am so tired of pureed food. The flavours are fine, and I don’t feel discomfort while eating, but I just crave chewing. My mouth, my teeth, even my brain want it. I literally dreamed about crunching on crispbread.
The good news is that around the two-week mark, I was allowed to move on to soft, chewable foods. My surgeon even called a few days early and gave me the green light. That phone call honestly made my day. He also checked in to see how I was doing, reassured me that recovery looks great, and told me it’s time to start vitamins.
I’ve read that vitamins can sometimes cause nausea or other issues, so I’ll probably write a separate post just on that.
And about the numbness in my thighs that I mentioned last week – I asked the surgeon about it, and he explained that it can happen after general anaesthesia and should go away on its own. Nothing to worry about. I really appreciate that he took the time to call, because I could ask all my questions and feel reassured.
What I eat
Here’s one day’s menu after starting soft foods and slightly larger portions. I should be eating four to five times a day, with servings of 50 to 100 ml.
Meal 1: Two crispbreads with cream cheese, chicken ham and peeled cucumber. Total 26 g.
Meal 2: A peeled pear, a peeled plum, and a small bite of cheese. Total 65 g.
Meal 3: Minced meat, mushrooms, carrot, potato, plus 2 g Protifar. Total 73 g.
Meal 4: Two crispbreads with pâté and peeled cucumber. Managed one and a half.
Meal 5: Chicken fillet, mashed potatoes, peas, plus 2 g Protifar. Total 68 g.
As for water intake, I’m doing well, at least a litre per day, usually closer to 1.2 to 1.3 litres.
Physical activity
I feel like I could walk more, but my energy still isn’t where I’d like it to be. On average, I’m doing about 6000 to 6500 steps a day. I asked the clinic if that’s enough, or if I should push myself harder. They told me I can increase activity as I feel ready, but there’s no need to force it. That was reassuring to hear.
And that’s week two. Slowly but surely, things are moving forward, with little wins here and there.
How about you, if you’ve gone through surgery or another big health change, how did your second week feel? Did you notice small improvements, or were there challenges that surprised you? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments.
