I’m taking over my blog for a night (I’ll be back full-time in a week or two) to give an update on some things that changed since my surgery.

For those that don’t know I had my left adrenal gland removed at KU Medical Center October 16th. The recovery was rough, I had to use a walker and I was having a lot of trouble with pain and breathing, but things are much better now.

I have to give a special thank you to Terilyn Huntington and the ladies at Morningstar Church who provided meals for us over the last week. The pressure taken off of April and I has been immense and I can’t thank you enough.

Wayne Simien has been an amazing friend since before I moved to Lawrence, and has only gotten more supportive after I was diagnosed. He shared with me how he told my story in order to teach that life is not about what you can exert, but what you can endure. That has resonated with me since I heard it, and I plan to endure as much as is needed to get back where I need to be.

Here is a list of some of the happenings:

• When I first got out of the hospital, my blood pressure had dropped really far, with the diastolic number showing as low as 60. Now it is averaging around 140/85 which isn’t ideal but is still improvement. It should continue to improve as my body stabilizes.
• My primary doctor prescribed a stimulant, something that has been on the radar for over a year. The reason it never happened is because of the strain it can place on my heart, particularly because I have had previous bouts of SVT. It seems to be doing a good job of combating my brain fog, one of the worst symptoms I’ve had. The last two days I haven’t felt 100% in clarity, but there is some there. It’s an almost bizarre feeling because it’s like finally waking up, being able to comprehend what I’m reading or understand something abstract. I couldn’t do that before, which was frustrating because that’s not me. I cannot express enough how useful this is.
  
• I’ve been able to get rid of four medications for blood pressure and heart since having the tumor removed.
• My body temperature is changing. I get cold a lot quicker now, sometimes too cold.
• I’m sleeping easier, but my schedule is still wacky.
• My muscle strength and weakness is at the best it’s been in two years. This best is still poor compared to where I should be though, so I have to remember that. Chasing my dog for a moment leaves me in really bad pulmonary shape for instance.
• Speaking of pulmonary, someone from the hospital came to the house this week and evaluated me to see if I needed to be re-admitted or do outpatient therapy (either way rehab has to happen). They have elected for me to do outpatient. I’ll see my pulmonary specialist soon to get back into a program at the hospital to get my wind back and get more faith in my body. It’ll also include aqua therapy most likely.
• I know I need to take it easy but I’m anxious to be useful, to get better, visit other towns, events etc. I’m trying to get a job with one of the Kansas virtual schools, I qualify to be a substitute history teacher.
• School has a month left before a much-needed break. All classes are As are the moment, despite the time off.

Thanks for reading, thank you for the prayers, thank you for the messages. Thank you.

TJH