Yesterday
Post Op +1 was rough
never been this incapacitated
and me with the ADHD
already going batty from sitting around
trying not to overdo it
at a price

Relearning how to walk
while not bending the knee
one step at a time
up or down stairs
right leg first
then swing up the left
any unplanned sudden movement
brings on a new kind of agony

But the stitches and staples
are holding
except for one little spot
at the bottom
any kind of steady movement
reopens

A slow but steady stream of blood
slips out from underneath the dressing
runs down the left calf
to top of foot
and down over arch
to land on the floor
or carpet if not careful

Both of us surrendering to the situation
son, Jason becomes my volunteer nurse
cleaning and redressing the wound
and later my up and down stairs guy
while I set up camp in bedroom
“Send me the bill,” I tell him
he laughs and replies,
“It’s already in the mail”

Mr. Independent here
did manage to make myself
steak and fries last night
though the pain continuous
a steady pressure
as if a pair of vice grips
locked on the knee
but thanks to
seven different kinds of medication
all the bases are covered

From anti-inflammatories
to counteract swelling
opiate pain killers
“bye-bye pain, off to never-never land”
meds to prevent
nerve damage, blood clots
and an ant-acid I’ve never heard of
all of whose names
difficult to pronounce
none of the above
good for my love life

We did manage to exchange numbers
last week and
she’s since invited me over for dinner
then the call came in from the hospital
with only two days’ notice
both disappointed but agreeing
better to wait
adds a whole new meaning to
one day at a time


© 2023

400 hits as of December 2024

07/11/2023

Posted on 07/11/2023
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti