Things you can take for granted when they’re gone

After nearly 2 weeks back home and nearly back to my old routine, I was thinking about things I realised I had taken for granted while in hospital and even after as I recover and build up to normal health again.

Personal Hygiene

This would mainly include bath/shower and clean hair.
Due to the amount of tubes and drains in post op a bath is out of the question and also washing of hair.
After 3 weeks in tubes, I was finally able to wash my hair; my first bath when I got home was total heaven.
The vote amongst us ladies on the ward of most missed – clean hair.

Change of scenery

Yes stuck in a hospital ward for 5 weeks, you do miss the great outside.
When I finally got to sit out on the balcony it rained, instead of moaning I thought it’s wonderful.
As was a walk to the canteen for a change of location.

Your own bed

Nothing beats your own bed, its little niches and bumps that conform to your body and own personal comfort.

Independence.

You lose a lot of this, especially the first week post op as you really can’t do a lot for yourself, (even sitting yourself up in bed.
Once you can start doing little things for yourself it feels just wonderful.
Freedom of body movement
This is due to tubes in your body, they control how you move, sit and sleep.
When they come out total bliss.

Peace and quiet

You do get used to the hospital wards noises and lights on at unusual times, cleaners coming round at 6am, you just cannot beat control of your own environment noise and light wise.

Freedom from pain

Perhaps this should be at the top of the list, but to be in pain is horrible, you really would do anything to be free from it.

Getting about

I am now building up my walks but still need people to buy things from the shop for me, or to drive me there, I do miss not being able to go to the shops for myself, also it affects retail therapy.

Change in life circumstances.

I just had my letter from work that tells me from 17th September my sick pay goes to half pay, I was quite calm, had expected it and said “whatever”
Appreciating life
I know I’m boring as I keep saying this! But you really do see life so differently when affected by your health to my degree and you do notice that people moan about a whole lot of nothing at times.