~a column by Colleen O’Brien
In the era of 24-7 awful news that convinces us the world is going to hell and there’s no help for it, it’s refreshing to receive good news from a friend’s trying situation.
I received the following lovely point of view from a friend recovering from hip surgery and it tells the tale with a sense of humor:
“This Monday will mark 3 weeks since my surgery,” writes my friend.
“On the one hand it seems more like 3 months.
On the other hand it’s a nice “vacation” – all the time in the world for books, Netflix, naps, minimal use of technology, not a single task-list.
On the one hand hip-replacement hurts.
On the other hand I was in more pain before my surgery than I have been during most of my recovery.
On the one hand pain-management meds these days are quite amazing.
On the other hand I am successfully decreasing dosage every day now.
On the one hand going to the lake house for the first 8 days of recuperation was delightful.
On the other hand returning to the condo and my inviting daybed in my cheery yellow office made it easier to better master the required “toes above nose” horizontal rest several times a day.
On the one hand to complete my required walking while at the lake, I merely stepped out the door, not even bothering with shoes, and walked increasing numbers of laps around the big deck — scenic 🙂
On the other hand as hip-replacement necessitates wearing shoes with proper support during the recuperative process, my ill-advised bare-foot laps resulted in extreme foot-swelling and discomfort, until I figured out what was causing it and changed my habits, resulting in near immediate relief. Who knew?
On the one hand I am still not able to put on or tie my own left walking shoe.
On the other hand the shoe horn is a wonderful invention, and an untied shoe fits my still-fat foot better anyway.
On the one hand I should have rounded up 3 or 4 of those picker-upper things for reaching every which way.
On the other hand BBQ tongs work well.
On the one hand there is still much work to be done and the beginning of physical therapy to get stronger.
On the other hand it’s amazing to me how fast a person can be up and about after the brutal pummeling of a total hip replacement.
On the one hand I’m sad to miss out on riding RAGBRAI from Forest City into Clear Lake.
On the other hand I don’t have to get up early to put on spandex and share the road with 12,000 other bikers.
On the one hand not being able to drive means I don’t have to go on errands.
On the other hand now I can’t wait to drive again soon and take care of my own lists and errands.
Amazing what we take for granted when all is well.”
This light-hearted missive lightened my day. When I asked if I could use it, my friend said, “Go for it!” – so here it is.
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. And, I hope it changed your mind like it changed mine on what’s important. Which is . . . one’s point of view. The world has always been going to hell, and lo and behold, we’re still here. Enjoy your lemonade when you can
