Everyone has been telling me, over and over and over again, what a wonderful recovery I am having, and I think in many ways it is true. I am at a point where everyday there is some little improvement….I no longer need pain medication, which is a sort of miracle after 10 or 12 years of taking it every day for the arthritis pain….But the recovery feels slow in other ways and I need to cultivate that patience which has never ever been an outstanding virtue of mine!
I have no stamina, yet, and can be suddenly overwhelmed with sleepiness! Still, I am taking this as a sign of recovery. And Tuesday it will be four weeks since surgery.
I am sorry for those who read my blog and have to hear about all this, but it is on my mind a lot lately!
Reading has always been a great pleasure in my life, and it is especially so now that I am rather more house bound, though I go out for therapy three days a week and Andy and I visit the grocery store every weekend! In a few weeks I will be driving again, God willing. There are many places I hope to visit when I am not so tired.
But reading………Let’s talk about reading during recovery from major surgery. I have a difficult time settling down even to mysteries which I normally enjoy greatly. (And even netflix is difficult to watch. I become bored and tired a quarter of the way through things.) I can only hope this symptom will disappear as I get stronger.
What I find I can read with pleasure are books in the category of “old favorites”, which is to say, books I have been reading and rereading for 50 or 60 years………This may partly be the case because I know them so well that I can pick them up, read any short section, and be satisfied.
I can’t read non-fiction now, either. And I love biographies and various other sorts of non-fiction. But I just cannot seem to stick with it yet…
So I’ve been rereading a lot of D.E. Stevenson……..All the Miss Buncle books. Celia’s House, Listening Valley, Spring Magic, Music in the Hills…..
I also read Molly Clavering, Angela Thirkell, Elizabeth Goudge, and O. Douglas. But principally, D.E. Stevenson……..
Her books do not fail me. I know some people do not think them especially great writing. They are gentle, perhaps more domestic works (though not always) but the people in them seem real to me and I enjoy their company greatly, especially just now.
Some children’s books, especially Song of the Gargoyle by Zilpha Keatly Snyder have also been able to hold my attention these days too…..I have some gift books from dear friends who hope to amuse me during this time, but have not been able to make any headway in them as yet…….
Oh, yes, one new to me book which I read all the way through with enjoyment was Grace Lin’s Dumpling Days, a young adult novel about a Taiwanese American family’s visit to their relatives in Taiwan, This was delightful, the third book in a series about this family, especially the middle daughter.
Someday I will read the gift books………But meanwhile, I am counting as a great blessing that I have these wonderful “old favorites” to reread yet again.
Thank you for mentioning this author – I have never heard of her, but the books sound just like what I enjoy when I really want to read something relaxing, entertaining in between more challenging reads, for instance after a long working day.
You are right, the patience bit is the hardest one about recovery, I found that in September 2010 after I had minor surgery and was not allowed to do much for almost 6 weeks.
Great that you do not need pain medication any longer! If that isn’t progress… 🙂
I realized recently that much of my reading done last year was actually re-reading. You are so right, when we are physically recovering (or going through “not so good” stuff… we need old friends. 🙂
I saw Amberwell there, it is one I have on my “to read” list.
Thank you for sending me the Henrietta’s House, I loved it!
Praying for a quick recovery, although I remember when having major surgery (even when young) that I didn’t start to feel normal again until after six weeks or so…
Oh, how well I can relate to this. After being more or less housebond for so many years I know exactly what you mean. I have periods when I can’t read at all,life has been pretty rough for a while – but I found that L. M. Mongomery’s Short Stories are just perfect for me, you can find them all at ‘Gutenberg. As well as some other children’s books, and Grace Livingstone HIll, which I wrote a post about the other day.
I’ve tried to find D.E. Stevenson’s books, but they don’t seem to be available here.
Margaretha
Don’t read anything other than blogs. Besides that, I’m usually running all over the house after the kids until one of us passes out from exhaustion.
But I am glad to hear that you are off the pain meds. Count your blessings for these little miracles.
Take care and I hope that you get your stamina back.
m.
I “have no stamina, yet, and can suddenly be overwhelmed with sleepiness! ” Boy I know what you mean,RA does that to me. Speaking of a gentle read, are you familiar with Gladys Taber?
Jodi, yes, I like Gladys Taber’s books very much….Have you ever read Mrs. Appleyard and I? Or any of the books by Della Thompson Lutes?
No, I’ve never heard of the book or the author. Sounds like something I should look up! Thanks so much for your comments today. I’m glad we have a lot in common. I wanted to answer you on my blog, but the comment form has changed, and the Reply button won’t work. Frustrating…
I’m glad that your old friends have not failed you. I know nothing of D.E. Stevenson and reading this makes me want to know. When I am tired and can’t focus so great, I choose essays. Short and distilled to a rich brew. I think it’s why I enjoy blogs so much. Keep feeling better and stronger with each passing day!
You ARE getting stronger, it is just such a slow process.
I am thankful to learn of D.E. Stevenson and I love Elizabeth Goudge.
Keep healing!
All joys,
Sharon
And I, dear friend, have been thinking of you. I have not recovered as I wished. I still have pain every day…lots at night. I go for my last post-op on the 30th. It seems the knee is working after surgery, but now arthritis has flared…arthritis I was never aware I had. I really hope it will pass…soon. Thanks for your concern. Wish we could recupe together…ha ha I have been reading my Kindle a lot. Will be checking more seriously into your book choices. I REALLY need to start blogging again. Lack of ambition..I guess. Susan
I do so love D.E. Stevenson. I’ve read quite a few, but there are a lot I haven’t read. I am particularly fond of Celia’s House, Five Windows, The Tall Stranger, and some of the Mrs. Tim books. I was glad to see mention of Gladys Taber and ‘Mrs. Appleyard.’ And of course, Miss Read. I think Mrs. Miniver would fit right into this company. Oh, and some of Elizabeth Cadell’s are wonderful – I especially love My Dear Aunt Flora; and Shadows On The Water, The Empty Nest, and Out of the Rain.
It is such a pleasure to me knowing others love these sorts of books.