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vr_trakowskiWell, 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.
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.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 02:27 am (UTC)*squishes you more 'cause she misses you*
no subject
Date: 2010-06-20 03:34 am (UTC)I miss you too! Why hasn't anyone invented a commercial teleporter yet??