EVERYTHING'S COMING UP RAINBOWS

I'm actually fairly sure that's the wrong expression, but after spending the week with my mom hearing expressions like "scrummaging through the trash" and "the room has no fung shu" (and being on vast amounts of drugs) I'm a bit fuzzy on correct word usage. Plus, if you saw my pathetic bruised arms, you would agree with me that indeed, I have become a colorful pallet indeed.
As hoped, I went home from the hospital last Wednesday, and have been camped in various easy chairs ever since. Physically, I have been feeling better and better, as long as I don't try to do anything, like say, walk far distances (i.e., across the room) make (inadvertant) quick moves, or go more than 5 hours without a percocet. Mentally, I'm typically quite chipper (especially since it doesn't hurt to laugh anymore) and but I definitely have my zone out/cry inconsolibly jags (which still hurt) but I'm trying to be patient with my mind and body (easier said than done).
The time in the hospital, although mostly a blur, was no better than you'd expect. Most of the nurses, although nice, were overworked and not particularly responsive. The worst moments were when the nurse changed but forgot to turn on the pain medicine, and when a blood transfusion didn't quite make it into my vein (ref. arm picture) Thank goodness I had everyone in my family there (in shifts) 24/7 to look out for me. Sweet jim spent 4 of the 5 nights there with me (thanks to Carol and Larry for watching the kids-- of course, Liam was sick and was home from daycare Mon-Wed-- figures) and loyal lisa was after the nurses every 2 hours to make sure I got my medicine on the the night she stayed with me.
My biggest complaint has been my arm/hand. Somehow, when I was stuck in surgery position for those 11 hours, circulation got cut off and/or a nerve got pinched. In any event, although I can move it a lot better now, it's very tingly, achy, and weak. (... which makes using the TV remote a challenge). It will get better with time, but because I wasn't expecting it, and unfortunately, because it's a nerve thing, the pain medicine does nothing to alleviate the discomfort, so it's pretty distracting and annoying (and I guess I'm going to get much better at doing everything (including typing) with my left hand).
Overall, though, I'm really happy with the results of the surgery. I'm thrilled I went the "natural" route with the belly boob surgery over implants-- I woke up feeling/looking similar to how I went to sleep... minus the belly, which, I have to say, is awesome. While I was in the hospital my eyelashes and eyebrows came back and I am super-fuzzy-- enough so that my hair actually gets matted when I sit in a chair all day! I've still got a lot of healing to do, but I think I will be happy with this new bod o' mine. Best yet, all the pathology came out clean.
I got to spend the weekend up at Carol and Larry's with Jim and the boys. It was great to see them... I don't think anyone has ever been as as happy to see me as Liam, who literally couldn't stop laughing-- until I couldn't hold him, which pretty much broke both of our hearts... but he won't remember and I will get over it (maybe). Xander is sweet as ever ("you better yet mamma?") and was very curious to see my new boobs ("you have bandaids!"). My mom is moving today, so I've moved to her boyfriend Richard's-- who has the most incredible home theatre system EVER... including internet access (finally). I'm not sure about where I'll be staying from here on out-- I miss the boys terribly, but when I go home it's going to be a real challenge not to hurt myself. I've cut way back on the meds, but believe me I know when it's time for the next one. I'm not sure when I'll be able to drive, or stand for more than 5 minutes, or lay on anything other than my back, or a bunch or other things that will come before I know it (but not soon enough). I saw a good quote the the other day: "You can only live happily ever after day by day"
Between reminding myself that, 300 cable channels and the internet, I'm all set.