Caretaker for another during second week post-op

My first full day up without any pain meds was Tuesday. I went out with my son, went shopping and walked for 10 minutes. When I was on my way home I found out that my SIL was being admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery. I headed over there and stayed with her until she went into surgery. The tired and weakness set in right after they wheeled her back. I was unable to rest while she was in surgery and then I got 2.5 hours of sleep that night. I stayed with her around the clock until last night when my husband was able to relieve me so I could come home and relax for a few hours. I'll be back with her by noon today.

Eating at the hospital without any prior preparation has been difficult, but I made wise compromises. I have not gotten my protein in. I have had yogurt for breakfast and soup from the cafeteria for lunch and dinner. One day it was clam chowder where I mashed the potatoes and left the few pieces of clam. Yesterday it was tomato soup and then mexican wedding soup. I left the meatballs of this behind. Last night my husband took me out to eat at a deli and I had potato soup. I am eating too many carbohydrates, but reminding myself that healing is the objective here.

I didn't need anything for pain for two days. Starting yesterday I have needed a little pain med. The area of the hernia repair is sore. I don't know why.

When I came home llate last night I wanted to work but it was too late to go outside. I founda video on demand on Verizon Fios called "Family Walk". It is just walking to music, basically. I did that for 15 minutes. Yesterday I managed to get in 7500 steps of my 8000 steps goal. Pretty good considering the lack of normal routine here.