Today is our second "post-op" day, and the patient is doing well under the constant care of Nurse Cia. I did have some soreness and swelling this morning in the groin area where the incision was made, so I called the surgeon and he reassured us that it was perfectly normal. He also said the pain could last for a week (or even more), but not to worry. It's the way this kind of surgery and recovery goes. So . . . I am getting myself mentally ready for maybe a week of challenges. Pema Chodron would say I am preparing to be a warrior -- and I've been re-reading some of her writing this morning to help me be a good one! For our book group, we're also reading Dickens' "Great Expectations", a book filled with humor, light-heartedness, friendship, and courage -- just what I need a lot of in the coming days!

The peaceful patient,
listening to a guided meditation
while resting at home after surgery