recovery – Page 8 – What Can I Eat

I went to the gym again yesterday evening. I’m trying to go once a week and, although I’ve only gone a few times, I feel like I’m able to do more and more each time. I’ve been doing a bit of cardio in order to get my fitness level back to how it was before I got so ill, followed by crunches to strengthen my stomach muscles. I used to go to the gym two to three times a week so I’m hoping to get back to that eventually. I won’t push myself too much though, I don’t want to cause myself an injury.

So, I have spent today doing not a lot because of having had my biopsy yesterday, and I can honestly say I’m glad I did; my right side and shoulder have ached most of today but it’s gone down a bit this afternoon. It hurts if I cough or move my torso too much but the nurses said that should get better over the next couple of days. I’m going back to work tomorrow but I work in an opticians so it’s not like it’s heavy lifting or terribly physical work.

I won’t go into detail about it but I decided to start counselling. I had my first initial appointment today and I should hear about further appointments with a councillor within the next week.

So, the stick is back in use, at least for now. I’m finding my middle is very sore throughout the day and using my stick to move around when not at home helps take some of the strain off my muscles. It also gives me a little bit of security in that I know I’ll be able to get home eventually with it. Whereas without it, I’d feel stranded if I found walking too hard.

It sort of feels like I’ve taken a couple of steps backwards but I know it’s not something I can control. That doesn’t make it any easier to deal with, but I’m dealing. I hope.

It might be too soon to really tell, but I tried cucumber (without the skin) this afternoon and, finger crossed, I haven’t had any negative side effects.

I’ve been told to only have very soft, skinless/seedless fruit and veg for now as it digests easier in the small intestine. I haven’t been eating much fruit or veg since my surgery but I am starting to reintroduce them one by one into my diet again.

So far, bananas, potatoes and strawberries are on the ok list and I hope to add cucumber to that list too.

Stoma check all done. The nurse is very happy with how the blob is looking and how the convex bags are holding up much better than the flat ones. She’s given me some information on gentle exercises that I can do at home, as well as a prescription for a support belt. I’m hoping to go back to the gym at some point but I don’t want to do anything before the nurses say I’m ready. A support belt will help and I can always get other support items if I need them.

This Saturday will mark four months since my surgery. I am pleased to report that I am feeling much closer to “normal”-me than I have all year, despite thinking that I never would, at first. I’m able to eat a lot more than I could before with few exceptions, sleeping has become much easier, and although I do get the occasional pain about the middle, there are times when I can forget I have baggie. I do find that bending and stretching can be a bit uncomfortable at times, and I can’t run much, but I am back to my usual walking speed (so, no longer at escort-mission speed). I know I have a ways to go as I am still adjusting to living with baggie, but I don’t feel quite as overwhelmed anymore.

Saw my GI this afternoon. He wants to check my magnesium, potassium and sodium levels but other than that, he’s quite happy with how I’m doing. Unfortunately, the blood test lab is closed now so I’ll have to go back to the hospital tomorrow to have that done. Hopefully, my levels will come back fine.

Three days down and three to go. I’ve been taking my stick with me to work but not using it. Feeling a little tired, as usual, but I’m also a little proud of myself for being able to do the commute without the use of my stick. I guess I’ll see how things go next week without it but I’ll keep it with me just in case.

So I didn’t end up using my stick at all today. I was walking a little slower and was quite tired by the time I got home, but not in any pain which I think means I’m getting stronger. I’ll still take my stick with me to work next week but try not to use it unless I feel I need to.