Work

After my operation I returned to my job the day after I came home from hospital.

Why so soon you ask? Because I love my job.

I am currently producing a radio programme. I love finding the guests, writing their bios, reminding them of their upcoming interview and thanking them for being part of the show.

I also look after a team of people that help make it happen – they are an awesome bunch who get their jobs done without much effort on my part. I see my role as a people person, making sure everyone is happy and able to fulfil their commitments.

I never imagined doing this job 6 months ago and I tried to give it up before my operation but I’m hooked.

Do you love what you do? If not, what changes do you have to make?

- Martha

Support

I just want to acknowledge all those people that have prayed for me, posted Facebook notes, sent me emails, visited, sent cards, telephone calls, SMS’s, flowers and gifts.

You have made my experience of doing this operation very special. I feel that God has been with me looking after me. My speedy recovery has been because of all the care I have been given.

My church family and my Fusion family have worked hard to get me where I am today. I am healing well and I am feeling well. My spirits are really high and although I have had some setback I know its all going to be okay and that the progress will happen when the time is right.

I know that my doctor, Martin Krause, will not read this, but he has also been valuable in patiently answering my 101 questions so that I was at peace and happy with my decision to do this operation and also managing post-op life.

I know I am a truly blessed person who has an amazing support!

- Martha

A Back Step

Well I thought I was doing really well. My movements had improved and I was feeling more comfortable. I thought my device was on and that it was working overtime. However, over the last couple of days things have been digressing back to normal which I tried to ignore at first and then pretend it wasn’t happening.

The doctor had warned me that I may have experienced a lesion in my brain which would bring on the positive changes and that it would last a couple of days and I would revert back to ‘my normal’. He said that this would be okay as once the device was on and set properly I would get the same effect as the lesion. I was so very much hoping the doctor was wrong about the lesion, but no, he was right. The other question is whether the device is on or off? I still think its on.

So now I have to be patient and wait for the device to kick in and do its job – if it is on. At least this time I will not be so shocked when it happens and I won’t freak out.

- Martha

It Takes Time

Today I got the (5) stitches out of my chest. I was a quivering mess. My doctor got me to eat lollies while she did it to try and distract me but it didn’t work. I’m really glad it was ONLY 5 stitches. My chest is now free of dressings and will take some time to heal from the sticky stuff that has grazed my skin.

After getting the stitches out, I couldn’t wait to come home have lunch and go for my afternoon nap. I felt exhausted. How can someone get so worked up from having stitches taken out – I can. I think it was worse than having 40 staples taken out of my head. My head is healing up really well and no longer needs dressing either. I think that by Friday week (25/6) I will be all healed up and ready to try some new things.

- Martha

A New Perspective

Today while I was sitting in church it occurred to me that I was thinking ahead way too much. I was thinking, “Yeah, the progress I’ve made is great, what else is going to happen?“ instead of counting my blessings and acknowledging what has happened already.

My device has been turned on for a week now and I have noticed that I sit quieter, I am able to feed myself easier, my voice is more stable, I am able to get on and off the toilet safer (not so many twitches to deal with), I can hold the telephone easier and I am able to hold a microphone and speak into it. These are all big milestones I have achieved in 7 days and I need to list them and count them as part of the journey.

Someone at church commented that “If this was all the change that happened it would be enough.” They are sooo right! I am so grateful that I got to do this operation. I want to really enjoy the journey and the new perspective.

- Martha

It's only been a week

It has only been a week since my operation, my sister keeps telling me. It actually feels like so much longer. Today I am going to have a CT Scan under sedation and so I will be groggy for a couple of days. I think it feels longer because of all the milestones. Out of ICU, wires/tubes taken out, device programmed and turned on, out of bed and home! I so want to hurry up and get on with it.

I have been waking up full of energy, then by 11am I am ready for a lie down. Somewhere in there we have lunch (except not today because I have to fast) then more resting until 4pm. I then get up, check fb, have dinner and have visitors. It all works well.

I have decided to wait until I have all staples and stitches out before I start attempting ‘new tricks’ – drinking from a glass, etc. I need to not have much pain if possible.

The Operation

So my operation has been done and I feel that the recovery has been very quick. I don’t have any issues with my arm or shoulder and so I am able to get around as normal.

The device has been turned ON as I can feel the changes. I am a lot calmer and the small twitches have pretty much stopped. I still have my big ones and I can’t tell when they are coming. I am able to feed myself so comfortably. Its almost like an out of body experience.

Yesterday I think I had a bit of a meltdown about it as I am scared to try new things and/but I don’t want to waste the potential of this gift of new life. I emailed my doctor about it and he told me my feelings are all normal and will settle down.

My dad then offered to work with me on using a glass to drink and I am realy happy that I can do that with him.

So I have finished climbing another mountain (the operation) for now and I am heading down the other side (recovery), which may have its own little mountains.

- Martha