Tom's Guestbook

Tom Fitzmorris  Linda, thanks for your reply. I just awoke from an 1 1/2 hour afternoon nap. I am down to about 1 nap a day. I walked for 40 minutes around the neighborhood, my longest so far. My breathing seems o.k. but I don't feel super clear-headed or mentally energetic--I would be worthless at work right now. In fact the word malaise comes to mind, due to my lack of taste for many foods and alcohol and being bored and unmotivated to do much of anything to be frank. But I know that this will pass. I would love to hear from people about what things they found compelling to do when in this mid-recovery phase. All suggestions welcome! Once I get through this I will have that toast... Tom

Linda Whitney  Don't even think about work. Your body just went through a mega-trauma and it will take it's time to re-calibrate. I've been watching all the BBC mini series, even though I'm not a real TV nut. It's about all I can do; shower, dress, take pills, take that daily walk, oh, and the nap. Luckily foods still taste the same; I checked out some audio books at the library yesterday, thought I'd tinker while someone else does the reading. Let's compare notes again in a week and see if we still share the same concerns.

Linda Whitney  Tom, checking in with you to let you know my hour neighborhood walks have paid off! I can finally take a nice deep breath now, and I can almost sneeze! Ha, ha. (It still hurts, but at least I can try). How are you doing? I'm gearing up to that glass of red wine, but I won't toast until you give me the "thumbs up".

Tom Fitzmorris  Hey Linda, I can't tell when you posted the above and I have been off-line for a couple of days. I am now doing 20 minutes or more on the stair-stepper machine in the gym at a light intensity level (my heart doesn't mind a bit). Further Good news is that my messed up sense of smell and taste has diminished to where some foods merely taste uninteresting rather than distasteful. Also in my "win" column: I have been able to sleep until almost 6 am. for the last 4 nights, so the worst is definitely behind me. I still have a bit of malaise--not interested in doing much of anything. My sister, who is a radiologist, says: hydrate and hydrate some more! lot's of cell rebuilding is happening after our surgeries. So I would suggest that you go ahead and have that glass of red wine -- and then two glasses of water! Best regards, Tom

Linda Whitney  Adam, thank you for this amazing site. You have done a great service for everyone. I look forward to checking in on others on this overwhelming journey.