Friday, August 12, 2011
Quick Post-Op
I confess...I can't really write much yet but wanted to note I was discharged yesterday (late afternoon Thurs). The doc said my disc was very much trashed which makes it clearer that it was the pain source and very likely the surgery will help. I can get around the house without my walker but need it is I leave. Getting in and out of bed is tough and requires a log-roll technique b/c I'm not allowed to arch. The main rules are summed as no BLT....bending, lifting, and twisting. Seriously, you have no clue how often you do those things. The brace isn't fun and I need to wear it if I'm out of bed for more than 10-20min, but it does help remind me of the rules.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
scared
I confess....I'm scared. I believe in the docs and trust they will do well, but I'm still scared....
Check-in is in 16h. Putting on my brave face.
- I'm scared of the IV because I've often been hard to start.
- I'm scared of gaining weight.
- I'm scared my body won't do it's job and heal. It is supposed to grow bone over the insert and I'm scared it won't do it right because it has so often betrayed me.
- I'm scared of being so reliant on others, even though I have such a great support team.
- I'm scared of being bored and sad and frustrated.
- I'm scared of those emotions leading to comfort eating above and beyond what might be considered a "treat" for myself.
- I'm scared of dealing with the forced rest.
- I'm scare of gaining weight (yes, I said that twice...if I were honest, it would be 2/3 of the bullet-points.
- I'm scared of having trouble with little things...some people have talked about difficulty, ummmm...well...wiping. I am NOT asking for help on that one (though did by wet nap style Charmin).
- I'm scared of losing the biceps and triceps and all the other muscles that I worked so hard for and that are such a source of self-validation.
- I'm scared of scaring off or abusing MM. He's given me NO reason for this and he is SUCH a good support system, but I'm still scared of taking too much from him.
- I'm scared of forgetting my titanium ID card and getting difficulty at the airport or elsewhere. I believe in good screening and think people complain too much about the TSA. It is unlikely I'll set of alarms, and they give me a note in case, but it still is in my head.
- I'm scared of pain. Both the short-term and the possibility of it not helping.
- I'm scared of gaining weight (come on, y'all know me and can't be surprised).
Check-in is in 16h. Putting on my brave face.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Good Muslim by Tahima Anam -- Partisan but Solid Tale of a Young Nation, Family, and Religion
I confess....I hurried to finish this one to get the review up before my absence.
When I selected The Good Muslim by Tahmima Anam as an advance read from my lovely Harper friends, I didn't realize that it was the second book in a series of three about a Bangladeshi family. It may have been a different read had I read the prior novel, but I didn't feel disadvantaged by that and TGM can stand fine on its own. I think I've steered clear of my love for 3.5 stars for a while, but this novel calls me back to it and I'm quite torn on rounding for the half-star phobic sites. I've decided to go up to 4 stars, but it is with a bit of hesitation.
There are two time periods addressed in TGW, the mid/late-70s immediately following the revolution that gave Bangladesh its independence and the mid-80s when it is ruled by an unnamed Dictator whom many feel went back on the principles for which they'd fought. I'll admit to very little knowledge of this history. The protagonist is a female doctor who was part of the revolutionary fight and, in the latter time frame, is returning home after having spent a number of years as a rural ob/gyn. She had left in large part due to differences that arose when her brother made a very strong turn towards religion that alienated her and she returns upon his wife's death. The family also includes their mother and the brother's son, a child who has received very little attention and with whom the doctor quickly bonds.
There are a thematic number of threads running through here. There is the question of the revolution's success given the turn from initially liked leader to a dictator. There is the issue of religion and fanaticism, including the impact it has when it is put ahead of family and other matters. There is also a strong element of gender dynamics as the woman doctor relates stories of her patients, the suffering of women during and after the war as a result of rape being used as a weapon, and the doctor's own uncertainty about marriage and her career. The author does a solid job pulling all this off, although it does feel pretty slanted and pointed.
The prose is pleasant and deep without being overpowering. My hesitancy is in large part due to the fact that it feels overtly partisan. Ironically, I don't necessarily disagree with the positions advanced but I do prefer authors who lead you to your own answers rather than pretty much wave them in front of you. It is a good read, 3.5 stars is a solid rating in my world and is positive (I'm tough...when I was part of judging for admission to a journal in law school, they apparently noted that and would round an entry up if it was borderline and I was part of the panel). I'd read the other books if they appeared on my table and maybe if I saw a stellar deal on them, but I also can't see myself seeking them out.
When I selected The Good Muslim by Tahmima Anam as an advance read from my lovely Harper friends, I didn't realize that it was the second book in a series of three about a Bangladeshi family. It may have been a different read had I read the prior novel, but I didn't feel disadvantaged by that and TGM can stand fine on its own. I think I've steered clear of my love for 3.5 stars for a while, but this novel calls me back to it and I'm quite torn on rounding for the half-star phobic sites. I've decided to go up to 4 stars, but it is with a bit of hesitation.
There are two time periods addressed in TGW, the mid/late-70s immediately following the revolution that gave Bangladesh its independence and the mid-80s when it is ruled by an unnamed Dictator whom many feel went back on the principles for which they'd fought. I'll admit to very little knowledge of this history. The protagonist is a female doctor who was part of the revolutionary fight and, in the latter time frame, is returning home after having spent a number of years as a rural ob/gyn. She had left in large part due to differences that arose when her brother made a very strong turn towards religion that alienated her and she returns upon his wife's death. The family also includes their mother and the brother's son, a child who has received very little attention and with whom the doctor quickly bonds.
There are a thematic number of threads running through here. There is the question of the revolution's success given the turn from initially liked leader to a dictator. There is the issue of religion and fanaticism, including the impact it has when it is put ahead of family and other matters. There is also a strong element of gender dynamics as the woman doctor relates stories of her patients, the suffering of women during and after the war as a result of rape being used as a weapon, and the doctor's own uncertainty about marriage and her career. The author does a solid job pulling all this off, although it does feel pretty slanted and pointed.
The prose is pleasant and deep without being overpowering. My hesitancy is in large part due to the fact that it feels overtly partisan. Ironically, I don't necessarily disagree with the positions advanced but I do prefer authors who lead you to your own answers rather than pretty much wave them in front of you. It is a good read, 3.5 stars is a solid rating in my world and is positive (I'm tough...when I was part of judging for admission to a journal in law school, they apparently noted that and would round an entry up if it was borderline and I was part of the panel). I'd read the other books if they appeared on my table and maybe if I saw a stellar deal on them, but I also can't see myself seeking them out.
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