It’s been 7 days since my surgery, and I’m moving around much better each day. However, any extra stretch in the wrong direction can send shooting pain through my chest. And after a while, it feels like I have something pressed against my ribcage, especially at night. It’s odd and uncomfortable and makes me wish my recovery would speed up. Then I remind myself that it’s only been a week.

I’m thankful my mom has stayed this week to help out. Even though I’m getting around better on my own, I’ve been instructed not to do any push/pull motions or any repetitive arm motions. Or lift anything too heavy. So I still need help opening doors and carrying stuff and washing my hair. And while I feel rather useless around the house, I’m grateful my mom has been making up for it. Today she started re-organizing our garage. (Apparently, we have gotten lazy about putting stuff away neatly.) It does feel good to see the closets and garage tidy. I may never let her go home.