Managing Expectations

Taking the pain meds helped tremendously. I feel better this morning than I've felt since the surgery exactly two weeks ago today. That's not to say that I'm going to be getting on my bike and riding a century with 10,000 feet of climbing today, but at least I can now see that century in my future.

The emotional recovery is as significant as the physical recovery. There have been a number of different things that I have done to recover emotionally. The most significant was to set expectations.

Prior to the surgery, I wrote down my expectations for recovery:

1. Expect pain and embrace it as part of the recovery
2. Don't judge progress on a daily basis
3. Be thankful and appreciative to everyone, but focus all my energy on the recovery
4. Stay hydrated and nourished
5. Shower and get dressed first thing each day
6. Find a simple way to update family and friends (that's what this blog is about)

There have been a number of times where I have gone back and reviewed my list. It's helped me stay focused and look beyond the challenges of each particular day.