11 Months Update: Keeping Busy – One Day at a Time

In this Update

• Picking up the pieces
• So much to do!
• Spending time with friends

Picking up the pieces

The last couple of weeks have been very difficult, and I can only manage things one day at a time. We got our baby’s ashes back on Valentine’s Day, and it helped a lot to “have him back”. I had to rearrange my schedule because bursting into tears periodically at work wasn’t working out, so we decided to get away for one night to Coral Gables in Miami. I know some people may find that silly, but I couldn’t stand the thought that Poncebear would be home alone, so we took his ashes with us…

Now, I am slowly coming to terms with that our baby is gone, and I am grateful that I am somewhat able to focus on all those tasks at hand again. We made a nice memorial in our living room, and I touch his little paw print all the time. At least he is home…

PS: I didn't realize the variety of lizards south Florida has to offer...

So much to do!

With that being said, my to-do list appears to be a mile long, and between doing some work to connect Dr. Desai’s hospital administration with Blue Cross Blue Shield, graduate study due dates, TNCC Trauma Nursing instructor certification preparation, and heavy-duty stress at work, I barely get to sleep anymore. I admit that I am a tad overwhelmed right now, but at least I am not in physical pain. I can’t even imagine doing all this with a broken back and nauseating pain… So, I AM looking on the “bright side”, even though I didn’t get to go to the gym AT ALL since Ponce passed away. But after I am done with the last part of the trauma certification next week, I should have more time and less stress  – I can’t wait!

Spending time with friends

Part of my busy schedule was due to the fact that I needed to “work ahead” to make time to spend with some special friends who visited us from Pittsburgh/DC for a few days. And, boy, did we make the most out of that short time.

We picked up Rachel, Mara, and Ana form the airport around 11 am, went for breakfast, followed by (yet another) airboat ride on the St. John’s river, which had a lot of gators to showcast. After that, we went for a 3-mile hike in the Orlando Wetlands Park (more gators), followed by dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant.

The next day, we all went to visit (and climb) the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse (yes, my baby is everywhere) by New Smyrna Beach. We got so lucky with the weather, especially since the rest of the country has been rather chilly these days… Now, to get to the viewing platform of the lighthouse, we had to take the stairs: 202 of them (of course both ways). That had my calves and thighs burning for sure, so I consider that a mini-workout. After another small hike through the area, we headed over to the Smyrna Dunes beach, located within a nature preserve. We even saw a bunch of dolphins so close to the shore, it was amazing!

Day three entailed a hike through Blue Springs state park, and even though there weren’t any manatees to be seen, we really enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I actually haven’t been there in a very long time (Ralf and I used to freedive there years ago). After Blue Springs, we visited the “spiritual community” of Cassadaga, but instead of having our fortune read, we went yet for another 2-mile hike through typical Florida trails.

So: first a LOT of sitting in front of my computer, coupled with running around at work, followed by lots and lots of hiking, climbing stairs, beach-walking, and sitting in the car to get to places (thanks for driving, Ralf!) were the “activity-highlights” of the last couple of weeks. As I mentioned, I hope to be able to return to the gym toward the end next week, and I am also thinking about some jogging to come. We’ll see how it goes.

Also, it is about that time to make an appointment with Dr. Gayles to get my 1-year follow up X-rays done! With all what my back has been through so far, I am quite anxious to see if anything has changed!