The Garden, Doing Too Much Too Soon & Silver Poms

Yesterday was a good day.  I walked two miles in the morning, came home and sanded and shaped the silver pomegranates, was pretty good about my non-snacking goals (except for the afternoon Oprah sunflower seed extravaganza!), and walked a third mile when my brother came to visit.  It was bra day, and it felt good to have that extra support, to feel normal again.  Today, not so much.  : (   By evening, I was out of my clothes and into my jammies by 6:00.  Just needed to do nothing -- after I torch fired the pomegranates (there's always something to do).  It's hard to explain.  I wasn't "sleepy" tired, but my body was tired...and complaining.  My abdomen (which I didn't really feel had the right to complain since all we did was walk!), was sore...like I had done sit ups all day.  My new breast, after being loosely bound, was tender and achey.  I haven't been taking pain meds for over a week now, but it warranted meds.  "I" didn't feel like I was doing too much too soon, but I guess my body had another opinion.

So this morning, I decided to forego the walk.  Actually, my friend Sugar asked if I'd like to meet her for a walk in Montrose this evening, so I'll get in a short walk (emphasis on "short").  So it's a lazy morning (as far as exercise is concerned).  I slept in til about 8:30.  Made coffee and wire brushed the pomegranates that I had fired last night, and they are happily tumbling in the tumbler in the kitchen for the next few hours. 

My mom is coming over today.  She's bringing lunch.  Despite my insisting that I could fix us something here, that I had food, that I was able to get up and about, and that I am trying to eat healthy, etc.  "I'll bring something light."  God bless her.  Our time together is cherished.   The plan is that we will watch the final Oprah show together.  : )

And finally, this morning, I went out to put the sprinklers on the garden.  It was just a few short weeks ago, pre-surgery, that I was turning the soil, adding organic mix to my terrible dirt, watering, prepping the garden and planting because I KNEW that I wouldn't be able to dig for a few months.  Well, the garden is doing really well, and I thought I'd put up some pics to show progress.  I have tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, chinese peas, green beans, cucumbers, bell peppers, eggplant and a sunflowers around the border of the garden.  Nothing is harvestable yet, but it's looking good.  I need to weed (as the crabgrass is coming in again, but I can't bend.  So maybe I can do it with that little "grabber" tool that my mom bought me??  I wonder?

Before you check out the photos though, I just wanted to add a request.  I know there are a lot of you that are reading my blog.  I really appreciate all the great comments on Facebook, Twitter, etc.  I was wondering if you might consider following my blog?  Just because I like knowing who's reading (nosy that I am.)

Okay, here are the photos.  Have a beautiful day today....and remember to listen to your body and don't do too much!  : )

The garden monsters (notice the crabgrass peaking in)

The Chinese peas are starting to climb

I have bell peppers forming!



The full view, sort of.  with the new pepper and tomato plant that I'll ask Neddy to plant this weekend.  Notice the sunflowers that are about 5" high all the way down the right and in the front bottom.





Trying It On My Own

May 10....Guess what I was able to do today?  I was able to give myself a sponge bath.  Woohoo!  The range of motion in my arm was a little better today.  Still, it wasn't easy.  Ani was studying for her exit  nursing exams this morning, and I didn't want to "ask" for help.  It made me feel like we're making a little progress here!  I so appreciate everything that I can do for myself -- again, that thing about asking for help.  I still have absolutely no feeling in my new breast, chest, waist, abdomen.  It just feels like one giant eraser.  Think of the feeling when you have a filling at the dentist and your lip is all rubbery and weird?  That's what my body feels like from the hips up.  And my right upper arm feels super sensitive to the touch.  Anyways...despite this weird feelings, I did get to wash myself today.  Yay me.  That's big time!

My mom is over today.  She came over with a ton of food that she chopped up and threw into the crock pot.  It's cooking.  I'm sure we'll be eating it for DAYS!!  But I'm grateful.  We get to spend time together, and watch all these shows that I never watch -- Oprah, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz.  It's very sweet because despite her arthritis and aches and pains, she leaves her own comfort and comes over to take care of me.  She's the best. 

Tomorrow is my doctor's appointment with both doctors.  I'm hopeful that the pathology report will come back negative for lymph node involvement (which means no further treatment).  Here's to hoping!

The day is beautiful out.  I'd like to go for a walk, but it's too soon yet.  Maybe just a stroll out in the garden.  The sunflowers that I planted before my surgery have sprouted.  I can see them from my window.  : )