February 23, 2017CoachVickyLeave a comment
Although I spent the night in the hospital, it’s not considered an overnight stay because it was only 23 hours. A lot happened in those 23 hours.
I found the nurses and the staff unbelievably kind and efficient. I asked to stay awake on the way to the operating room so I could see it. This was robotic surgery and I saw the robot! I elected to have robotic surgery because it is less invasion and the recovery time shorter.
Equipment, monitors, and hospital stuff overflowed in the operating room. One of the surgical team members commented to me “this looks like a garage sale, doesn’t it?” I counted seven people on the surgical team. Each seemed genuinely concerned focusing on my surgery and quick recovery.
Rest, however, is a limited commodity during a 23 hour stay. There is always someone wanting to take vitals, monitor progress, encourage water intake, water output, and ambulation.
I did make time to reflect on this journey. I am at a peaceful state understanding that I have done all I can to eliminate cancer’s return.
This should be my last surgery on this journey. I’ve got an 8 to 10 day recovery. Afterward, life should be somewhat normal again. We will only have about two hours every 21 days for treatment until mid-August. This is a small amount of committed time when compared to committed time during the last eight months.
My most important relationship in this new normal is with Richard. He has put on hold so much of his life to save mine. He really took that line “in sickness and in health” seriously.
I am unsure what a new normal will look like in other areas. Parts of the new normal include return to work, our garden, and swimming. I look forward to getting our lives back and outside a primary focus of beating cancer.
Leaders … What is normal in your organization? Is your organization’s reputation one of gossip, favorites, arguments? Or, is your organization’s reputation one of respect, fairness, and good interpersonal relationships?
-VhS