May 20, 2026
The day after surgery (May 7), I continued to follow the doctor’s pain management medication instructions. I was alternating between Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen every three hours. At night, I when I had to wake up to take my pills, I would walk around the house and go back to sleep.
I was not told how to avoid using my core muscles. The first few times I got up hurt very badly. I had to reach back in my memory on how to get up and down from Bruce’s surgery 20 years ago. That was a serious lack of information on what to do after surgery.
When I got up in the morning, I did a lot of walking around Blackberry Homestead.
I walked to the orchard in the back of the property. I was exhausted. I felt like I overdid it. After resting, I would walk around the house. Later in the day, I walked down to the mailbox. I was exhausted from walking up the hill. Bruce walked with me. I decided again that I was overdoing it.
I wasn’t very hungry, so beef broth, herbal tea, and some Jello dealt with my hunger. Since I had to walk around, I heated the broth in the microwave, used the electric kettle to make herbal tea, and took the Jello out of the fridge. Bruce made herbal tea for me throughout the day.
On the afternoon, Bruce asked me if I needed anything. I told him I was going to take a nap. Bruce headed out to do some speed mowing. The red-shouldered hawk was sitting on the wires, so Bruce snapped a picture and sent it to me.
It rained some more later in the day.
I was just so tired, I went to sleep and slept until it was time to take a pill. Bruce had an alarm set on his phone and he gave me the pills.
Being woken up from my nap, I got up and walked onto the front porch. The sunset was spectacular.
Blackberry Homestead 
Walking really is the key to speeding recovery, at least in my massively uninformed opinion. I recall after colorectal surgery years ago I was told to get up and try walk as soon as possible and in a couple days the nurses regretted that advice when they found out out I had sneaked off the cancer/surgical floor and made my way down to obstetrics so I could peek in and see the babies. After discharge I made it a point to walk longer every day and I attribute my super fast recovery to mobility to that regular exercise. So hang in there…it gets easier and easier.
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It has gotten a lot easier now. I just don’t think I was supposed to walk a 1/4 of a mile the day after surgery or two days after surgery, up and down the hill. That is what I did, not all at one time, but still that was a lot of walking.
Bruce didn’t walk nearly that much after he got home from his colon cancer surgery. He walked a little more each day on the flat sidewalk.
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Just take it easy and only do a little bit at a time. 🙂
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It has been hard. I have so much I want to do.
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I know, but all in good time. You have to heal first. 🙂
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🙂🙂🙂
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I’m having trouble walking as much as I should. I’m envious of your strength and stamina.
You sure had a lovely sunset to help you celebrate a good day. 😊
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It was a beautiful sunset.
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Movement is critical after surgery. Sorry your healthcare providers neglected to advise you about not engaging the core muscles. A tiny detail that would have been useful. Rest is the best medicine when you’re recovering, interspersed with some movement. Well done, Julia.
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