Today is the 18th day since my surgery and the last day with the catheter. I think my biggest problem with this process was the unrealistic expectations that I had. I heard from others that I would be laid up for four weeks off work for this surgery, but when I asked the Doc how long before I went back to work, he asked what I did for a living. I told him I was a minister and most of my work was working at a desk. He said, “Maybe in two weeks if you take it easy.” So, I was thinking I’d be up and about and doing what I wanted to do part time in two weeks and not push myself.

But, its not that easy. Externally, I feel strong and healthy, but internally the healing continues. At 18 days into this, I’m still wearing an uncomfortable catheter and having difficulty sitting up straight. If I had just accepted the four week healing period as a time to just rest, I would be right on schedule. But my unrealistic expectations were just not realistic, and that’s what discouraged me. My advice to others in the future will be to just plan to wait it out at home for a full month. Then good news looks good.

Tags: patience, unrealistic expectations