I am almost three weeks postop and have been feeling considerable better than the days before but today I decided to take a walk to my fruit man to purchase coconut water and let me tell you, I am still catching my breath. I thought I was over the hill but it seems I am still climbing. Was thinking of going back to work at the end of the week though my dr. Gave me 6 weeks off but, having second thoughts now.

Yes, agreed, we really are all different and should do what is best as we see fit.

To be honest with you, I use to be a workaholic, overtime, I was there, weekends I was there. I even remembered having surgery and leaving a week later on assignment to Ethiopia but the truth is never again!

I feel that I have neglected and over worked and pushed this body too much and hence the reason for some of my health problems.

It's time to slow down and love me a little bit more. When my grandmother use to tell me to slow down because " it's not the same day the leave hits the water bottom that it starts to rot" I thought she was over reacting but she was right, the effects of much of what we do to our bodies are not felt right away but later we pay the price.

It's difficult but I am learning to take it easy. I am trying to treat myself better than I did before.

In my line of work, we, as humanitarian workers give so much , physically , emotionally and psychologically. I need balance .

I don't have a family of my own, though I do adopt a child in every country I have worked. Not officially but financially and otherwise.

As my colleague once told me "D, you need to save a little of you for yourself and your unborn children"

To think I haven't even slowed down long enough to find me a man.

Learning to take it easy at 35 years old.

That's the "leaf hits the water bottom****