Getting back to normal

I'm heading back to work on Tuesday! I'm feeling ready physically and mentally. I know I have to take it easy, and I will. I'm getting bored at home and I think I'm beginning to cramp Mark's style!

I feel like this time at home recovering from my hysterectomy has provided a few things for me.
First, this has been the hardest surgical recovery I've ever had, but last night Mark said to me that he thought I have handled it the best out of any surgery I've recovered from.  That made me so happy at the progress I've made within myself.  So much of recoveries are not only physical, but mental as well.  I've come a long way dealing with the emotional and mental aspect. 
I haven't been able to begin practicing yoga fully, but the things I've learned from the short time I have been practicing is amazing.  I truly believe this has helped in my recovery physically and mentally. 

I learned to breathe.  I learned how to stop..... concentrate on a slow, low deep breath...... I used this as I was feeling anxious about going into the surgical suite all the way to this morning(over 5 weeks later) just trying to start my day. 
Breathing and concentrating on your breath is so helpful.  I literally have been taken off of one of my two blood pressure medications since starting my yoga lessons!  Many of the nurses I have encountered through this are amazed at my blood pressure given my history. Some have asked, and I tell them Yoga!

Physically, a hysterectomy(especially going through the abdominal wall) is tough.  I have laproscopic incisions as well as a 6 inch incision on my abdomen.  Now, I never had a 6 pack before, so having your abdominal muscles cut and having to heal is tough.  I never really realized how important those muscles are on a daily basis....but I feel them now!! Yoga has helped me from the beginning of recovery just being able to maneuver without extreme pain. If it hurt, I stopped and breathed my way through it!  After I saw my surgeon, she said I could begin a light practice when I felt ready.  I have to strengthen my pelvic floor as a must after this surgery, and yoga is a great way to do that. I've been doing some light exercises laying flat in bed in the morning and evening.  Soon, I will go back to yoga lessons.  The beauty is... I can start with seated yoga poses, and work my way up to other poses from the floor and standing.

I love my yoga coach Danielle! I take from her privately once a week. She tailors my practice with her to how I am feeling and she is so intuitive and perceptive by just watching me to know what to do next. 

If this is something you'd like to explore please contact me and I'll tell you more about her and her studio!

Anyway..... I'm here, I'm whole, I'm feeling better physically and mentally than I have in a long time, and I am ready to get back to my routine.  I miss my colleagues, my students, and my job(which by the way is the best profession in the world!)

My cup is full of Joy, and even if someone knocks into it and it spills....JOY will spill out because I have a lot to be thankful for!