Part Fifty Two: Seven Week Update

You asked for an update... you got it.

I'm feeling pretty good seven weeks after donation.

For the most part, I wouldn't even know that I'd gone through such a major surgery. My energy level is fine. I'm back at work more than full time right now. Work is pretty intense with the holiday packing/shipping season and I haven't felt restricted in any way by my recent donation. The doctors had suggested I refrain from lifting anything "heavier than a phonebook" for at least 6 weeks. But as soon as I felt ready, I quickly worked my way up to 15... 20... 25 pounds. I've moved several that were in the thirties and a couple in the forties. Only when I moved a forty pound box, did I really notice anything weird going on with my abdomen. My co-workers are still quick to help move bigger boxes and I'll often ask customers to move their boxes around if I have any hesitation at all.

I still have slight tenderness on my left side when pressure is applied. I continue to have the most discomfort after sleeping on my stomach for long periods of time. The only other major issue I've had is with my incisions. Seven weeks out, one of my incisions has still not completely healed up and it is driving me crazy. And NO... I'm not picking at it! It's slowly closing up but there's one section of it that just reopens a little bit every time I shower. It doesn't bleed or anything... and it's not very deep. But it's a hole nonetheless and it freaks me out.

I even had a dream the other night that I had this huge gaping hole near my ribs that wouldn't close up and the doctors kept telling me it was fine but it clearly wasn't. *grumble*

For now, I'm just trying to avoid getting it wet so that it can heal up better. I even went without my usual morning shower today to see if that would help at all.

So that's what I've been up to. As for my dad, I guess he's doing okay. He lives a couple of hours away from me so I really don't get to see him that often to evaluate his progress. He still comes up here for doctors visits once a week and he is now able to drive himself, which is good for everyone. My parents stopped by my work the other day and I thought my dad looked pretty good. Seems like he's managed to keep from gaining much weight back. His color was good. We didn't get to really discuss how he was feeling though, although I'm sure he's gradually improving.

I know my Dad reads this blog from time to time now so maybe he will comment on his improvement.