So the healing process continues here, chez nous. The weather has gone back to sunny, cloudless and quite warm, but up here on the butte, at least the air moves. In the morning, I stick to the Sacre Coeur side of the apartment which is out of the full sun, and in the afternoon I move to the other side with the wide view, once the sun has moved westward. It helps me keep reasonably cool and comfortable without air conditioning, and it's nice enough that with a fan or two, I don't really miss the super-cold air.
I'm finding it easier to move around, although I am still VERY cautious about bending over or lifting anything, even something small on the floor, to avoid any rupture of the internal stitches. That painful spot under my ribs is STILL there and just as bad when I cough or take a deep breath, and although I know there is nothing seriously wrong in there, I can't help but wonder when the fuck the pain will start to go away because it's damned annoying. However, I only take pain meds when I'm going to sleep; otherwise I'm not even taking any Tylenol as it's not that bad.
Last night, I was even able to partake of a little bit of champagne, as we had a lot to celebrate: Georges' daughter passed her bac with a mention bien (which is very good) and will be going to school in Lille to do a 5-year program in International Law; his older son did very well in his architecture studies this semester, and one of his projects was even featured during a final presentation, which is quite an honor -- we're proud of them both -- and I've made it through my surgery and am on the mend. Lots to be happy and thankful for around here, and well worth cracking open the very LAST bottle of our bathtub wedding champagne!
Today, after I took my morning shower before the home nurse arrived, I decided to be brave and remove all the wet bandages, and for the first time I got a good look at what's really going on there. It wasn't quite as bad as I thought, although there are a few spots that still don't look very attractive or well-healed, in my opinion, even if the medical experts say they're "fine". I put some large American band-aids over those until the nurse could come but left the rest open to the air, including the one in my nombril, because none of those seemed to be "leaking" at all. I figured I'd let the nurse decide what still needed to be covered up, or not. When she arrived, she seemed pleased that things were healing well. She left the belly-button open to the air and just put a full bandage on the big scar until tomorrow. She won't come tomorrow because I go to see the surgeon and he will change any bandages that still need changing, and if he says I need her on Saturday then we'll call to arrange that. Otherwise, we leave on Sunday for our vacation and I anticipate that by that time, if anything is needed at all, it will be a simple bandaid I can apply myself with a little Betadine.
And I can then go for a cooling dip in the sea. Wah-hoo! I even bought water-resistant bandaids just for the occasion, as a little added protection.
Yesterday, Kyliemac came over for a visit and to see our new place for the first time, and we even ventured out for my first outdoor walk, just a loop around Sacre Coeur and a trip to the nearest gelato place (OK, so it was really the gelato I wanted, we just used the walk as an excuse). It was hot and I had to move slowly, with the support belt around my middle (which is kind of uncomfortable to wear for long periods if I'm sitting, but when I'm walking really seems to help), but otherwise it wasn't too bad and it felt nice to be out in the world doing something semi-normal (the annoying hordes of summer tourists notwithstanding). Makes me eager for some summer picnics on the Pont des Arts later this summer!
Last night, Georges' best friend from college, who lives with his family in Caen, phoned because he'd read my blog and wanted to find out how I was doing. I thought that was so incredibly sweet and thoughtful (Merci, Gilbert, if you're reading this!) of him to be concerned for his friend's wife. Plus, he invited us to come visit some weekend in August when they've taken a house along the north sea coast -- sounds like a lovely idea to me! We could rent a car and maybe go to places like Honfleur or maybe even Mont Saint Michel which has been one of my dreams.
So, I am healing. It's slow, and that is to be expected. But I'm sleeping much better and more normally, not waking up 3-4 times a night in pain like I was doing for the past 3 weeks, and that in itself is a HUGE improvement.
I think the worst is finally behind me. And for this, I am abundantly grateful.
