Pain in my Side

It's been 3 weeks now since I was prepped for surgery, which included this obnoxious feeding tube in my side. It made sense at the time, since the surgery was a week away. But when it was delayed for 3 1/2 weeks to heal an ulcer in my esophagus, caused by the radiation, it meant carrying this tube around for over a month before surgery. It has become a real annoyance and a pain in my side. When I walk, I feel it...when I ride, I feel it....when I cough, I feel it.

But I believe this tube represents more than just irritating pain. Life after surgery will leave me with small adjustments to my daily routine, so this tube is serving to prepare me for those small annoyances that are in store. Putting this all in perspective has helped me deal with my little tube for now, but I'm sure I'll have a new appreciation for it when it feeds me for 2 weeks after surgery! 

This weekend, I took 'the tube' up to Big Bear to teach an emergency care course to our future ski patrollers. I thought about using it to demo an 'impaled object', but opted not to embarrass the students, or more likely, me! Might as well get some entertainment value out of it, right?! After class, I joined a few patrollers on a mountain bike ride. If the pace got too fast, I'd have 'the tube' as my excuse! This thing can really be beneficial!!

Yes, all things in life truly are a matter of perspective. Find the 'flip' side of your problem and you'll discover a new outlook. I never bought the saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" - but at least have an Arnold Palmer!