vr_trakowski: (October Project)
vr_trakowski ([personal profile] vr_trakowski) wrote2010-06-17 10:53 pm
Entry tags:

Whee.

Well, I'm back.  That was fun.  *eyeroll*  Actually, I'm recovering a lot faster than I expected to, given that this time they sliced me open instead of just punching holes in me.  But if I never have a catheter again I will be quite content, thank you. 

And the...problem...that engendered all this fuss is gone.  Such a blessing.  I find myself wondering what people--women, since this one was gender-specific--do when they have no access to health care or even reasonable painkillers.  I could barely manage as it was, and it was getting worse as time went on.  And yet, it wasn't in the least life-threatening, just really annoying.  I suppose they become invalids if they can afford it, or they just grit their teeth and carry on because they have to.  Admittedly, I'm a total coward about pain, and I had the great good fortune of not having to.  

Let me tell you, if I weren't a fan of universal health care already, I would be after this.  And by universal, I mean everyone, not just where I live.  All the more so because if I didn't have a job with decent benefits myself, I too would be without health insurance--here in a nation that likes to call itself the most progressive in the world.  

I've also gotten a new appreciation for those who live with chronic pain.  I spent six months with this one, and never really had to go beyond OTC painkillers.  Most days I could get around just fine, even if I was uncomfortable.  Admittedly, the nausea and three days of after-effects was kind of debilitating, but that only happened a few times.  But the sheer disruption it caused in my life, and the lives of those around me, was plenty.  I lost time from work, and time with friends.  My colleagues had to work around my absences.  My friends had to deal with my illness and/or pain and its disruptions of plans.  My family had to take care of me, post-surgery, though certainly they were more than willing.  And all of this was just a few months.  The idea of living that way indefinitely....well, I don't know how people do it, and I'm not at all sure that I could.  I am in awe of those of you who do manage it.  

Anyway, this is all rambling to little effect.  I'm doing quite well, and still have two weeks off work at least to go, though I suspect I could return next week if I had to (the doctor's not going to let me).  The cats are glad to have me home, and while I'm not accomplishing nearly as much as I'd like off my to-do list, it's nice to see that Beauty and the Beast still holds up pretty well after more than twenty years (thank you, Netflix).  

I'm glad to be getting better instead of worse, finally.  And I know that I am very, very blessed.  

[identity profile] tres_mechante.livejournal.com 2010-06-18 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
Welcome back! I glad you're doing better. *hugs*

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-19 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! :D So am I!

[identity profile] cincoflex.livejournal.com 2010-06-18 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
Amen! I'm glad you're back on your feet, believe me--aside from actually having pain myself, the second worse thing is seeing someone you care deeply about in pain and not being able to do anything about it to any effective degree!

And yes, I agree with you in the health care issue--I have such empathy for people who suffer needlessly because they don't have it.

((((hugs)))

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-19 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you for looking after me when I was in pain! I greatly appreciate your care and understanding. ♥
trialia: Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), head down, hair wind-streamed, eyes almost closed. (Default)

[personal profile] trialia 2010-06-18 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
*huggles you a lot* I'm so glad to see you back and getting better, hon! Hopefully this will mean the end to any more problems of that kind.

On the subject of meds, they've upped me to morphine now! I'm kinda stoned right now - 90mg codeine and 10mg worth of liquid morphine. Weird feeling.

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-19 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
I hope so too! Thank you. *hugs back*

Morphine was great for me, I just lay back and floated happily, but then I had one of those dispenser buttons. Made my eyes roll back in my head, though.
trialia: Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), head down, hair wind-streamed, eyes almost closed. (Default)

[personal profile] trialia 2010-06-19 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
*laughs* Well, IV morphine does take effect a lot faster. Liquid morphine tastes awful, I can tell you that. Even when it's in a glucose mix like this stuff.

*squishes you more 'cause she misses you*

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-20 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
I can imagine! *shudder*

I miss you too! Why hasn't anyone invented a commercial teleporter yet??

[identity profile] amaranthinesong.livejournal.com 2010-06-18 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you're feeling better and recovering faster than expected: that is always wonderful news. :)

I totally agree with your comments about universal health care btw. I know one too many people who have had to take their *pets'* medications because they couldn't afford to purchase antibiotics or painkillers. Sad state to be in.

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-19 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
Yikes, yes--that is dreadful. I got very lucky indeed with my health care, at least so far.

Thanks! I'm surprised, but pleased, certainly.

[identity profile] stargatedragon.livejournal.com 2010-06-18 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
just take care and don't push yourself - I still get frakking twinges from having my gall bladder out back in March, so don't leap back into everything just 'cause they say you can!

... and keep the drugs on hand. Always useful things.

;)

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-19 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'm taking it easy--I still feel bruised in places. It's just that it was so much LESS than I was expecting.

I can imagine! *snerk*

[identity profile] shippygrl.livejournal.com 2010-06-18 01:12 pm (UTC)(link)
so glad things are better now, and that you're healing nicely! as someone who had surgery and no insurance coverage, I'm a big fan of universal healthcare :-P My Sallie Mae loan for college is less than the surgery bill!

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-19 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
Good heavens. *wince* Yeah, so far I've paid more for one vet visit than for two surgeries on me--here's hoping I can keep it that way.

Thanks! I'm very pleased. :D

[identity profile] boubabe14.livejournal.com 2010-06-18 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Me and Tug are very happy t o read you're doing well and quite a ways down the road to recovery. That has to feel good even if the recuperation is taking longer than you'd like. Don't push yourself too hard. Be patient. The body does heal faster when not taxed with extraneous activities :-)

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-19 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad to hear from you! :D I am lazing around mostly; it's nice to nap when I want to. *grin*

[identity profile] phdelicious.livejournal.com 2010-06-18 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Welcome back! Glad to hear this seems to have worked, well and promptly. *hugs*

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-19 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I am glad to be back! :D

Lovely icon, BTW!

[identity profile] snowydragon1776.livejournal.com 2010-06-20 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Welcome back! *Snuggles you*

I am glad you are recovering and lazing around you deserve it.

Beauty and the Beast really does hold up. :D

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-06-21 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks! I am catching up on a lot of viewing, if nothing else. :P

Finished the first season and am firmly repressing the sudden desire to write BATB smut. *eyeroll* Talk about a played-out fandom!

[identity profile] snowydragon1776.livejournal.com 2010-06-28 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
If writing it makes you happy go for it :)

[identity profile] vr-trakowski.livejournal.com 2010-07-01 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Hah. I should at least watch the whole series first. :P