Days 19-21

Mr. Charming gave himself the goal of going back to work three weeks after surgery. (That’s all the PTO he had left.) For the second year in a row, we vacationed in an expensive (hospital) room with a lovely view of Salt Lake City. 🥴

I’ve been stressed in anticipation of Tony going back to work so soon. I didn’t want our patient overdoing it. Another week of healing would have been so much better.

When we asked Dr. Monroe, he didn’t say not to… it was more of a surprised, “Really? Proceed with caution. You’ll be tired. Don’t lift more than 20 pounds.”

Tony also had some anxiety. His greatest concern was the odor. The wound around his neck is still actively healing and is constantly leaking. It’s right under his nose, so he gets the worst of it. I’m probably the only one who noticed an unpleasant smell because I spend so much time in close proximity. In an enclosed space, like the car, the odor is hard to ignore.

Tony switched out the towel he was sleeping with around his neck for a neck gaiter, and I ordered more. He also wears a gaiter when he goes out in public so that people aren’t shocked. It’s hard not to stare at something so unusual.

On Saturday, we drove to Firth Mill for layer mash for our chickens. I asked Tony if he felt up to browsing at Hidden Treasures in Shelley, and he agreed. It was a nice outing after being mostly homebound for two weeks.

Dear Universe, we’re trying hard not to take these challenges personally.

For the second time in a week, our old van needed repairs. It was the alternator, which we replaced just six months ago when Tony was recovering from DLBCL. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Fortunately, Will and the kids were at Eric and Sheila Scoresby’s house as they were finishing up their trick-or-treating, and Eric sent Will home in their Suburban for the night. 🙏🏻 Will was back at our house on Sunday putting in the new alternator in the pouring rain, with Tony providing moral support.

Tony’s first day back at Western Smokehouse Partners went well. He texted me midday to let me know he was okay and that there is a lot of work for him to do. Superman was understandably tired when he got home. He had worked through lunch, so we caught him up on his nutrition intake. He didn’t require any pain meds, so that’s a relief. 😅 As the evening was winding down, he told me he is afraid he will be paying for it tomorrow. He is feeling the tiredness in his right leg.