The healing power of positive thinking...and puppies
Those of you who follow Grandma's Briefs on Facebook and Twitter know that I've been on nurse duty for my youngest daughter, Andrea, who had her tonsils out this week. At 26 years old. Which had her mama—that would be me—pretty concerned.
The surgery went well, and I think much of that can be attributed to Andrea's positive attitude going in.
I've heard distressing stats on how long it takes adults to recover from tonsillectomies, ranging from two weeks of intense pain (and hunger) to it taking three full months to get back on one's feet. Again, I think (and hope) Andrea's positive attitude will make for the best possible outcome.
Despite moments of debilitating pain and frustration immediately following the surgery, Andrea's sense of humor continues to carry her through. To wit: When the nurse summoned Andie's roommate and me from the waiting area to see Andrea in the recovery room, the nurse said Andrea's first words were, "No grape popsicles!" All Andie and a reference to her concerns medical staff would immediately provide purple pops afterward. Seems purple popsicles and the vomiting that accompanied them is Andrea's only memory from her only other surgery, getting tubes in her ears, more than 20 years ago. Her roommate and I couldn't help but laugh (yes, out loud!) as we followed the nurse to Andrea's bedside.
Another example of Andrea's goofiness and how it's helping her deal with the pain is her novel approach to communicating in the first excruciating hours after surgery when talking was virtually impossible. She started off with pen and paper to relay her requests—and, at times, distress—but that soon proved too cumbersome and Andrea turned to her iPhone, typing all she wanted to say into the Notes application then having her text read by the computerized voice...which involved not only a monotone voice—except when a typed question mark meant text was read with a lilting tone at the end of requests—but numerous awkward and incorrect pronunciations of words. Which got Andrea giggling despite the pain. Which made her repeat the humorous text again and again. Typing song lyrics got her roommate and me giggling as well.
That's not to say it's been easy on Andrea. At all. She's in pain, she's hungry, she's worried about coughing and choking and vomiting, and concerned the recuperation might not go as quickly and smoothly as we all hope. When mustering her own comic relief doesn't come easy, though, puppy love steps in, courtesy of Luke (Andrea's dog) and Lennox (her roommate's dog).
With a cute quotient so high, how could these adorable kiddos not make her feel better?
I head home today, leaving Andrea under the care of her roommate—and the pain relieving power of puppies.
I have no doubt she'll be better in no time.
Shameless self-promotion: If you liked this post—or Grandma's Briefs in general—please vote for Grandma's Briefs in the About.com Favorite Grandparent Blog poll. Vote once per day per email address through March 21. Thank you!
Today's question:
When you don't feel well, what one thing never fails to help you feel better?
Friday, February 24, 2012
Reader Comments (8)
Aww...I'm sure Andrea's sense of humor, positive attitude, TLC received from others (including Mom), and puppy power will see her through the worst and on the road to recovery asap. If that adorable thumbs up pic is any indication, she'll be better in no time. Good to see her smiling!
When I'm not feeling well, books are my fail safe to provide escape and take my mind off the pain. Swear the Harry Potter series saw me through my hysterectomy...
My adult tonsilectomy was a cakewalk. I hope Andrea's is too.
So glad she's doing so well. And will keep improving with all the care-takers, cute puppies included.
Cuddling with my dogs and cats makes me feel better. So good to see a little blurb from John Lunn.
I was the Queen of Tonsillitis growing up but my doctor wouldn't take them out. Not sure why he took my sister's out who never had problems but not mine? My go to relief back then was always Mac & Cheese! It would slide down my sore throat very gently. To this day, if I want Mac & Cheese you know I am sick.
Those puppies would cure anyone of anything! Such great little faces. Hope Andrea is back to 100% very quickly.
Good Morning! Love the note ... because I totally agree with the healing powers of positive thinking! and I love puppies ... am so glad you were able to be there to help out with Andrea. I know that meant so much to have Mom around. Happy too that she has a good roomie and those cute puppies - I bet she'll be up and at 'em in no time at all! Blessings and prayers for a very speedy recovery!
Update: Well, the medical folks weren't kidding that the third day would be the worst. It's a rough one today, so I won't be going home. Spending one more day as Andie's nurse, with assistance from some fine furry friends (Luke and Lennox...plus the kitty named Kameliah) as well as Andie's roommate.
Hope that Andrea is feeling much better & has a quick recovery.
A good sleep always makes me feel better & of course some tender loving care from Norman.
You are so right about the power of puppies! Remember when I was in that rollover and ended up with compression fractures and had to stay home for weeks? Well, our two dogs stayed right by my side the whole day and really helped my outlook. They seemed to sense that I needed them close.
Anywho, have a good weekend, my friend!