On the Long and Winding Road to Recovery

For the last couple of weeks, I could eat very little that seemed normal.  First only liquids, then only mush stuff, but this week I began to be able to eat real food: a few green beans, a couple ounces of flaky fish, and a couple of teaspoons of mashed sweet potatoes.  I've been in heaven.  Unfortunately, I still get weak and shaky, which has begun to frustrate me. 

It's been 3 weeks and a day since my surgery, and I want to be able to do everything, but I just can't.  Last week, I had very little time to rest and recuperate as a member of my congregation passed away.  I'd gotten close to he and his wife, and I just couldn't leave his funeral to the pastor who was standing in, no matter how wonderful she it.  I put together the funeral from home, and met with the family (and my supply pastor) in my kitchen.  When it came to the funeral, I split the roles up between my supply, myself, and two assisting ministers.  The assisting ministers were also there to help or step in should I find myself getting faint or unable to proceed.  As it turned out, the funeral went well and the family was glad to have both of us there.

This week, I've been going to the office each day for four hours, no visitations or traveling.  I was pretty tired each evening, but I'm still trying to get enough walking in.  Like I said, it's been frustrating.  Tomorrow (Sunday) I have my first worship on my own (with assisting minister).  I pray that I am strong enough to get through to the end of the service, without having to sit down and let someone else continue.  Stay tuned.

On a positive note, I've lost 25 pounds since surgery, plus the 10 I had to lose beforehand, so 35 pounds down!!!  I still have a long way to go, weight-wise, and I need to start exercising, but I've decided to wait until my post op appointment this coming week on Thursday.  I wonder if he'll tell me that it's now okay to go to work?  I never asked.  I've always said, better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Today, I find comfort in this text from Colossians 1:11-12  
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Thanks for following my blog
Pastor Deb