This week felt different. Not because of some huge medical milestone, but because life is starting to look more like life again. Work, chores, flying drones, talking to neighbors, planning Father's Day, and thinking about future blog posts instead of doctor appointments. Recovery is still happening, but the story is changing.
Work continues
Work continues to go well. I am settling back into the routine and making progress. It feels good to contribute again and focus on something other than medical appointments and recovery schedules.
Cardiac rehab is still doing its job
I missed Monday's cardiac rehab session because of soreness, but after checking in with my doctor and getting some help managing the discomfort, I was able to continue moving forward. Recovery is not a straight line, and this week was a good reminder of that.
Sleep finally gets a win
The muscle relaxers my doctor prescribed have helped me get some much-needed sleep. Anyone recovering from major surgery knows how valuable a good night's rest can be. When sleep improves, everything else becomes a little easier.
Trying something different
I experimented with THC-infused beverages this week. What stood out to me was that they are zero calories, did not impact my blood sugar, and helped me relax in the evenings. They have been an interesting alternative to alcohol during recovery.
Weight and nutrition update
I did not do as well with eating this week as I would have liked, but recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. The good news is that my weight has remained stable at around 258 pounds, and next week is another opportunity to improve.
Back in the air
One of the most enjoyable moments this week was pulling out the tiny drone and flying a few laps around the complex. It was not some epic FPV adventure, but it felt like reconnecting with a part of myself that has been on hold for a while.
While flying, I ran into a neighbor I had not seen since before surgery. They were happy to see me up, moving around, and doing well. Sometimes other people notice your progress before you do.
Looking ahead to Father's Day
Father's Day is this weekend, and I am looking forward to spending time with my dad. After everything that has happened this year, family time feels a little more meaningful than it used to.
Gretchen's official report
Gretchen continues to serve as Chief Recovery Supervisor. Her duties include lap therapy, meal inspection, sleep monitoring, and making sure I never sit anywhere in the house alone.
Purrs are free. Therapy bills are not.
Gretchen, probably
This week's wins
- Continued working full-time
- Continued cardiac rehab
- Improved sleep
- Weight holding steady at 258 lbs
- Flew a drone again
- Ran into neighbors and reconnected
- Started thinking about future projects and blog posts
- Kept moving forward
The goal isn't to get back to who I was before surgery. The goal is to become healthier than I was before it happened.
This week's mantra
The big takeaway this week is that recovery is becoming less about surviving and more about living. There are still aches and pains. Sleep is still a work in progress. Cardiac rehab continues. But work is happening, drones are flying, family visits are planned, and life is slowly starting to feel normal again. That's a victory worth celebrating.
