I saw the dermatologist yesterday, and he informed me that my flap and skull sutures are healing normally. I guess normal means slight oozing and continuing pain. I feel like there is a bee sting under my left eye extending to my forehead.
I also got an updated timetable for this unending ‘repair’. Next Thursday the stitches in my forehead come out. Two weeks from today I have another surgery (Oh Joy!) to cut off the flap. I’m sure that means some new stitches and some more healing time. Then perhaps a month from now the last stitches will come out and I will finally be back to my handsome self. Try to restrain your laughter.
The flap has really changed life on Brumby Road. Example: I always get up before Stoker, usually by a couple of hours. When she finally arises the first thing we do upon seeing each other is to enjoy a quick kiss, to remind us of what is really important. The flap makes that a dubious choice, and even a buss on the head is uncomfortably close to the stitches. I suppose she could kiss my feet, but she doesn’t worship the ground I trod on.
Another change: I am now concerned about things I normally don’t worry about. When I drive somewhere, I imagine what a disaster it would be if I was in a collision and the airbag deployed. My flap would be f….ed. (I like alliteration but not profanity in my blog: you get the idea). Consequently I only drive when necessary, which is mostly to the skin doctor’s office.
Also I really cannot afford to get a cold or flu or Covid or RSV or CVS just now. I can hardly touch my nose let along blow it or sneeze. So I’ve decided to shelter in place here on Brumby Road. No lunch with friends or grocery shopping or socializing until I’m unflappable. At least another two weeks. And I’m doing something I have never done: wearing a mask without being mandated to do so. I had to run an errand at the UPS store yesterday and I wore a mask over my bandaged face (not easy to do). I normally don’t worry but the flap is flipping me out.
One good piece of news from the doctor: he says I can exercise. I asked him specifically if I could perspire and he said I could. Until yesterday I was under orders not to do anything strenuous. Obviously I cannot ride my bike on the road, since I can’t possibly wear a helmet or risk a fall which would f… my flap. But I bought a Kickr trainer and did my first ride on it yesterday. One whole hour!
So that is how things stand on Brumby Road. The Sampson is complaining about being put in bondage on the Kickr, and the Look and Tarmac are looking at me with woeful eyes wondering why they are being neglected. And Stoker and I wave at each other in the morning.
Rich Freggiaro Cycling Blog 