Patience. Not my long suit. But It’s something we need to have more of as we age no matter how it’s applied.
As I write, I am more than five weeks out from a complete hysterectomy. Even though I had the big abdominal incision, I expected to spring back quickly. To heal as easily as I did when I had a similar incision 30 years ago.
Not so fast, Carol!
Even though my hotshot surgeon, male, told me at two weeks I was cleared to do any activity –including aerobics!–I thought he was insane. He hadn’t even examined me, for one, and for two, I could barely walk two blocks without discomfort. My incision was brewing a bacterial infection, as well, and he knew that his PA had given me antibiotics for it. An aerobics class would clearly have landed me in the hospital again. He was…clueless.
But by five weeks out, I figured I’d be healed. So I saw my GYN, who assisted at the surgery. Who actually took a look.
“You’re not healed yet,” she said, definitively, as she peered in.
“Why is that?” I asked.
“Age,” she responded. “You just don’t heal as fast when you are older.”
So add that to the list of unexpected consequences of aging. I suppose it should have been obvious that at almost 68 my body wouldn’t spring back as rapidly as when I was 38. But truly, I didn’t expect recovery to linger.
Patience. As I age I am learning that it’s a trait that comes in handy. But it’s hard for me to practice.
Wish me luck. And let me know if you know the secret to exercising patience.
Oh and if you’d like to explore how hypnotherapy might help with whatever ails you, schedule an informational call with the purple button on my hypnotherapy page.
I think that any additional physical exercises will certainly improve your health in spite your age!
I’m almost 4 weeks out from a major spinal surgery and I am healing better than my last one 4.5 years ago. I think my frame of mind has helped a lot. I meditated this time and it has been amazing, Just a suggestion. Also, don;t beat yourself up! Watch the documentary HEAL on Netflix…life-changing.
Yes, I used many alternative healing practices during my recovery!
Carol: I am happy to hear that you are moving towards healing, even if the pacing was slow. Thank goodness you are able to advocate for yourself and take advice with a grain of salt.
I sprained my ankle in the March, and it took me a very long time to heal. I was surprised. I suspect that “aging” was a variable that I was loathe to concede. I also had some arthritis in that ankle flare up, so I had a hard time discerning the source of the pain and the timeline for my resuming activities.
All my best to you! I like the energy and content of your blog. Carry on!
Thanks, Karen! I hear you on healing…so many women our age face that after leg injuries!