Days 17-20 Post-Op: The Full House, First Dinner Out, and the Limits of the Body
After days of a slow and quiet rhythm, the weekend arrived like a tidal wave of energy and activity.
Abby came home on Thursday only to head back out early Friday morning for a trip, with Matt waking up before dawn for an airport run. From that moment on, it was non-stop. Friday afternoon, Jacob and Kiara rolled in from Grand Junction with their new and growing kitten Bo and all of her things.
I had hoped to have the house peaceful and put together before they pulled into the driveway, but then there is the reality of recovery. The house was a complete mess. To make things more chaotic, they hadn’t yet been warned that our old spare bed was currently taking up space in their room. Jacob and Kiara brought their stuff in while simultaneously wrestling the heavy mattress out of their room and onto the upstairs landing.
We were thrilled to have them home, and Jacob was especially eager to introduce Rindo to Bo. Keeping expectations grounded, they started by setting Bo up in their room to adjust to the smaller space. The mattress out on the landing became Bo’s elevated perch, where she could comfortably see the stairs and keep an eye on Rindo below. Rindo was endlessly curious and excited, and the dynamic between the two of them became the centerpiece of the weekend.
Friday evening marked a milestone: my first meal out since surgery. Outside of a quick stop at the grocery store, this was my first real foray into the public world. We headed straight to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Las Potrancas.
I had been craving Mexican food and salty chips, followed by frozen yogurt next door at Bliss. Sitting in a booth, eating real food with family, felt wonderfully normal. It was a huge physical undertaking, but the evening was worth every ounce of effort.
Saturday was a busy day watching Jacob on their mission to get Rindo and Bo cuddling, while I made my way around the house, doing the small chores I could. Jacob and Kiara went to the Colorado Avalanche hockey game with friends on Saturday night, leaving the house quiet and Matt and I in charge of babysitting our grandbaby kitty, Bo! Sunday brought another early airport run for Matt to pick up Abby. Abby met Bo, before heading off to sleep off her travels. Jacob and Kiara began loading their car for the drive back to Grand Junction, hauling the landing mattress out to the roll-off dumpster in our driveway on their way out.
Monday evening wrapped up with another act of love. My friend Tracy dropped off dinner: an incredible “trash can” salad, packed with a rainbow of purposeful ingredients chosen specifically to support tissue healing and bone fusion, topped off with indulgent milkshakes from the Milkshake Factory.
The social connection over the last four days was nourishing, but when Tuesday morning arrived in pure silence, a palpable wave of relief settled over me. It was a clear message to return to stillness and rest. I am so thankful for the friends and family who are bringing ease and joy to a challenging period of recovery, by keeping me engaged in the world and the things that matter.
