First trip to the store! Yeah!

I am 15 days post-op davinci, and tonight I got out of the house for dinner and a trip around Wal-mart. I never thought Wally World would look so large! I took it very slowly and allowed my DH to push the cart and pick up all items. Honestly, I found myself staying with the cart at the end of each isle as he went down the lanes and brought items back to our cart. It was such a small and seemingly insignificant event, but to me it felt monumental, like I had just scaled Everest. Just wondering what other ladies first trips out of the house were like and did you feel scared, happy and relieved as I did tonight?

My first trip after coming home from the hospital was a shopping excursion to the mall with my mother in law 4 days post op. I had been cooped up for far too long so it felt AWESOME to finally be around people again. I slept like a rock that night from exhaustion, but that is always welcome, isn't it?

I had my surgery same day as yours nataliedw, and likewise it was my first day out today. I went to the farmer's market this morning and stocked up (was all out of organics, my fav). It was pretty great walking up and down the market aisles outdoors on a beautiful day--though I was totally moving in slo-mo alongside everyone, like in some special effects movie . Yeah, I was a little worried about going, not wanting to overdo it and set myself back, but was really excited to get out and sort of function again. OMG the parking lot I had to traverse to get to the market never looked so HUGE, and heading back, the car looked like a tiny dot on the horizon to me hehe. I was thinking no way I'll make it back before dark, lol.
Overall it was great, and so worth it. Only now I'm cramping a bit, oops. Time to veg-out on the couch for the evening.

I had my surgery on 5/4 and went to the mall today with my daughter - my first "real" trip out other than really quick things. It was great! Spending money is always one way to feel better Had to go really slow. I did feel like I was sweating a bit, but then the air conditioning in the mall would make me feel cold. My 16 year old was a trooper though, she walked really, really slow so her old mother could keep up and we stopped for lunch in the food court so I could take a break. After I got home, I put my jammies on and got on the couch and there I have stayed! I don't want to overdo anything. So far, so good. I don't feel any worse for having gone out, just the same twinges of pain - YAY! But I am NOT going to think that I am ready to be back to normal, NO WAY. I am definitely still going to take my time - my whole six weeks!!

I've been out quite a bit for little excursions....mostly just going to stores or short car rides with my boyfriend. I find I need to get out of the house at least once a day or I go stir crazy even if it's just for a short drive to the grocery store. Yesterday was his first day back to work and that left me stuck inside all day....today my friend is coming to pick me up and take me to the mall. I don't do much when I'm out and walk realllllly slow but the change of scenery helped my mood. Last night I was quite depressed being alone all day (he works 12 hour shifts and was too tired when he got home ot do much of anything) so I'm hoping today's trip will perk me up again. I definately now know I need the full 6 weeks the doctor has ordered. At first I thought he was being silly suggesting so much time but at 14 days post op I can see that this is a very slow process and I won't do anything that's going to hurt my recovery. But....going out with my friend today will be good for me...

Just make sure you don't overdo it - I think I stayed out a little too long at the mall and for the next two days I felt like I went backwards in how I felt. I'm back to where I was but I need to listen to my body and take it EASY and not try to rush things! Next time I go out it will be for just a few minutes, not hours lol - I always have to learn things the hard way!