Bummed!

I live about 4 hours from my parents who are in their late 70's and one of my four sisters. For the last several years my sister and I shop till we drop on the day after Thanksgiving. The last couple of years have been getting harder and harder for me to walk and stand for long periods of time, but we have still gone. This year I had to decline completely. I just couldn't do it. I am so tired of missing out on the things I want to do. I can't wait for Dec 20 to get here. I am so ready for surgery. Sorry I just had to vent. I am sure many of you felt the same way prior to surgery. I am so excited to hear how much my life has the potential of changing after a while on the loosers bench. I know why we call it a loosers bench, but you all know who have been there already----that it is really the winning bench. We are winning back our sense of mobility, our sense of a day with less or no pain, our sense of being able to sit where we want, and our sense of living normally that everyone else just takes for granted. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. We are all truly blessed. Karen

Hey karen, Bless your heart... I know to well what you feel like. Shopping has always been my "job" sorta speak lol and loved it but before I had surgery it got so bad that even that stopped. My kids said I was becoming a hermit. I just couldnt go any further.... Im not one to let others do for me so much and boy did that get to be the normal around here. I would wait till my husband would get home for him to do small things for me. Cooking, cleaning, walking, even hygiene became a hassle. So you just cheer up now... Next year this time we will have to get roller skates to keep up with your butt. Lol...And could santa be giving you any better of a gift? No way!!!!!So you hang in there and tell your sister she better get to the gym because it will take all she has to keep up with you very soon lol... You'll be shopping and it aint even black Friday lol... Hugs Marge

Marge - Thanks so much for the encouragement. I truly feel that I am giving myself the best Christmas gift possible. The image of my sister on skates trying to keep up with me made me roll. Thanks. I needed that. Karen

Karen, There really is a good life after this surgery. I can't tell you how much my life has improved. Yours will too! We will be here for you!!!! Hugs, Lori

Thanks for the encouragement Lori. It sounds like everyone who is out a ways past surgery isn't just sitting around anymore. They are making up for some lost time. I can't wait. I am tired of no energy, hurting all the time, and have my recliner glued to my butt. Look out world. I am still out here and getting ready to get involved again Karen

I know exactly how you feel, Karen. I struggled to do basic things preop - now I have energy galore and you will too! Yesterday, I went shopping for a few hours then came home and worked out for 90 minutes and that is typical for me. Once you have your surgery, start off very slowly with the exercise but be consistent with it and over time, you will work your way up to fitness levels you never thought possible. You will be able to out-walk, out-shop, out-bargain hunt your sisters, your neices and your nephews! I'll be praying for you on the 20th! Hugs, Tracy

greetings karen hang in there -- your day is coming! i just wanted to chime in here and tell you that this year is the first time i've ever gone shopping on the day after thanksgiving...it was actually fun! and you are so right -- the sense of normalcy is the most wonderful thing to me. as i said -- your day is coming! deb -273

I know how you feel. Before I had my surgery on Oct 2nd and I would go to the grocery store and shop very fast, because after 15 minutes my back would start hurting. It was aweful. I'm finally down 59 lbs and last weekend I shopped for 9 hours straight daily and my back didn't hurt at all. The only problem is now I'm spending to much money!!!!!