Knackered, or easing back into life

Last week, I was amazed how exhausted I was after my trip into Boston for my follow-ups. I was so wiped out I ended up not going into work the following day, instead staying home and resting. It doesn't help that I'm fighting a cold. 

Saturday, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and two nieces came to visit. It was so nice to have company — and the girls (6 and 9) managed to tire out Daisy. Sunday started out fine, but late morning, I got terrible heartburn and felt like I was going to vomit. I'm still not sure whether I swallowed my medications too quickly and overfilled my pouch, or whether it was a quick little virus. I tried to walk it off, which is what I'm supposed to do, and when that didn't work, I propped myself up on pillows in bed. I fell asleep and woke feeling normal. Bizarre. 

We went to my in-laws' for Sunday afternoon dinner. I wasn't sure what it would be like being around people eating food I couldn't have. They had salad (no raw veggies for a while), ravioli (no pasta for a while), garlic bread (no bread for a while), sausages and my mother-in-law's homemade meatballs. I had a meatball with some tomato sauce, and my husband had the brilliant idea of opening up some ravioli and giving me the cheese inside. I ate about an ounce and a half and definitely enjoyed it. 

And it wasn't awkward not eating the things I couldn't. My baby tummy still is so new that the thought of most food turns me off. I approached the dinner as a social event rather than a food event, and that worked perfectly. (This time, at least.)

Sunday evening, I went into work for a few hours. I work in a church, and twice a year, they do a late-afternoon service called Choral Evensong. I've been wanting to experience it and also wanting photos of it; the most recent photos are from four years ago. This morning, I headed back into the office. I worked about three and a half hours, rather than my usual four. It was lovely to see my coworkers and parishioners and be welcomed back. Yesterday I said to my husband, "Tomorrow I go home." And it really does feel like that. 

I'm knackered, though — just wiped out. And between my nap yesterday and work in the evening, for the first time, I didn't get all my fluid and protein in. And today at work I didn't set my phone alarm like I intended, and sure enough, I'm behind on fluid. 

My pouch feels smaller today, too, like it's holding less. I've heard that variation is normal, so I'm not worried — but when I'm already sipping every waking hour, less capacity is an added challenge. 

So my reminders to myself: Sip. Find an app that makes half-hour alarms easy. Remember my most important job still is healing and taking care of my health. Try not to be stubborn and push myself too hard, too soon. Be gentle. 

~~~
This morning, I stopped at Whole Foods and treated myself to some hyacinths for my desk.
http://instagram.com/p/kPg8nNCWYj/#