Recovery terrain

Recovering from major surgery, and perhaps particularly surgery that also throws one into instantaneous menopause, is like climbing a mountain road.  You keep climbing, and make it over one hill, and another presents itself.  It is a marathon-type event.  I have been climbing for four weeks, and there is still much terrain to cover, and most of it upwards. While i am weary, I see God's goodness in the hills i been enabled to put behind me.  Here are a few:

• Yesterday was my last day of HBO treatments- 20 accomplished, and healing of my incisions well underway.  I am very glad not to be bumping down the road to Santa Fe and back every day, which was usually painful and always tiring. The blessings amid the bumps were the dear friends who dorve me and the wonderful conversations for 45 minutes each way.
• I am currently doing well pain-wise on just two regular ibuprofen tablets with meals and at bedtime.  That is a huge praise.
• I am slowly regaining much range of motion in both arms, and continue to work on stretching.  On Friday i will meet with the massage/acupuncture  therapist to begin working on my keeping my scars soft and my arms from swelling.
• I am walking farther and farther in my 30-40 minute walks (usually 2-3 times a day). 
• Yesterday I actually did some laundry and the day before I paid some bills.  All that activity made me tired today, but it is a start!
• I can almost sleep on my sides- a blessed relief after weeks of having to sleep on my back.

So, I am trying to patiently climb the next hill before me on this terrain of recovery, patiently trusting God to complete the good work he has started in me. Thank you for your prayers, Gentle Readers!