Just Bought a Suitcase

My fifteen day hospital stay in February was both unplanned and unexpected, meaning I was totally unprepared for it. Last month’s surgery – which went well (sorry, I forgot to post an update) was outpatient and I was home by late afternoon. This one though…

For the colostomy reversal surgery and – thank you, God! – finally getting rid of the surgical tube, I guess I’ll be there between four days and a week and a half or so. It just depends on how things go. But at least I can be prepared, whether I get out on day four or twelve.

I know I said I bought a suitcase but first, I bought the cutest pink duffel bag. As the list of stuff I want to take got longer and longer, I realized the bag might be a little heavier than I can handle right now. Too much bending or lifting irritates the side where the tube is. So now I have a suitcase on wheels – with a popup handle.

Why so much? Technically, if the stay is closer to a week and a half, it’s really not that much stuff. A laptop desk thingy, plus a notebook and pens, and my Kindle and keyboard so I can do some writing, plotting, or outlining. If I’m ‘with it’ enough to think. If not, I have a lot of books in my Kindle. That means I need a charging cord, and an extension cord so I can actually plug it in. Then there’s grooming stuff, hand sanitizer, soft tissues, and lip balm.

And, whether they like it or not, I’m taking some collagen powder to add to my coffee (when it’s okay to have it), stevia (so I don’t have to have anything with sugar), sea salt, and a small bottle of ghee. Y’all know what hospital food is like, so I want to be able to add a little flavor.

Now I just need for all of this to be over. For the first time in four months, I had a kind of freak out, ‘God-help-me-I’m-too-scared-to-do-this’ day yesterday. All day. Fortunately, that’s past and I’m glad.

It has caused me to feel a bit melancholy tonight, and a couple of songs are really resonating with me. The past few years have been wonderful. They’ve also been weird, and stressful, and corny as it sounds, it felt like I’d lost my way. Less than six months into 2020 – I believe I’ve finally found it again. I also feel like I’ve been given a second chance – and I don’t want to waste it.

Any prayers that I come through this with flying colors will be much appreciated. I’m determined to get back on track by the time I’ve ‘recovered’ in mid-August. That means I’m determined to start writing a few books a year again. And I’m excited to get started!

Photo credit: Pixabay