Wild Sunflowers
☆ July 21, 2015
So. I’m continuing to feel better daily, which is great, but man, this is a long recuperation. I feel about 85% back to normal, but 85% is pretty weak when you’re used to running at 125%. I just do not yet have the stamina I’m used to, and feel permanently behind on all fronts. I’ve had to prune so much from my life, for the time being, just to keep from going crazy because I can’t keep up. Like taking my shop offline for a while. Like neglecting this space.
And so, it may stay quiet here on the blog for a few more weeks. Please come visit me on Instagram – I’m posting pictures there regularly. I’ve also added an email notification option to the sidebar (look up and to the right) – just enter your email address and you’ll automatically be notified when I post again here. Thanks for your patience with me!
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30 Responses to “Wild Sunflowers”
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July 21st, 2015 @ 8:06 am
Hang in there! It does get better once they get the levels figured out. Love your images! Namaste!
July 21st, 2015 @ 8:14 am
love that you are taking care of you. this space will be here when you want to use it. we’ll be here, too.
xo
July 21st, 2015 @ 8:24 am
When I read what you’re going through I’m lucky to have got off so lightly. The only real difference I notice is that I’m not super itchy anymore and believe me I really appreciate that! Do you take your pills on an empty stomach away from calcium? That apparently is the most important way to get them working properly. I take mine at bedtime after not eating anything for 5 to 6 hours, the bonus is some weight loss which you won’t have to worry about.
July 21st, 2015 @ 8:24 am
Knowing you are healing is WAY more important than knowing what you are doing on a daily basis. In other words, do it, be it, do what you need. We are here and supportive!
You bring so much joy and beauty into my life through your words, photos, and inspiration. Please do what you need to do, you don’t owe us anything!!!
I don’t know if I’m making sense or saying what I’m trying to say. I appreciate you for you, not for some amount you think you need to give.
Heal. Love. Snuggle the furry ones and Mike. You are loved.
July 21st, 2015 @ 9:21 am
Don’t worry about us! Just keep taking care of yourself. You’ve got plenty of need to address with the farmily!
July 21st, 2015 @ 10:19 am
Sorry that you’ve been puny. Hope you heal quickly. And sorry for the sign-up by email snafu I caused! Maybe this will work…
July 21st, 2015 @ 11:54 am
well, first of all, i’m immensely grateful that you are up to 85% !! i mean, that’s a miracle under the circumstances. and as you adapt to your new way of being, and learn what best feeds you, i’m sure you’ll reach a new version of 125%. and we’ll be here, sending our support, and appreciating the smiles that you bring to our lives every day. do whatever you need to do.
July 21st, 2015 @ 1:07 pm
easternpanther pretty much said it: you being on the mend and finding a new equilibrium is far better than getting a new entry on either / both sites every day. Or even every week.
After such a major change, everything has to be reassessed and reordered. Be patient with yourself, give the various aspects of your life time to catch up. It’ll likely take awhile.
Most of us who visit your sites realize you have a life that reaches far beyond what you’ve shared with us. You’ve given very generously. It’s NOT wrong to step back from that a bit and devote more resources to yourself.
July 21st, 2015 @ 1:07 pm
As a veteran of way more surgeries than I’d like, I remember being told that in the first year post op, you will return to 85% of your energy level, but the other 15% will not happen until about the 18 month mark, post op….so cut yourself some slack! You are doing amazingly well at 85%. The rest will come. As others have said, take all the time to do what you need to do for you. You want to make a full and total recovery and to do that you need to not wear yourself too thin (figuratively speaking). Yes, we’ll be here, when you can come back. In the meantime, you heal, we’ll pray and appreciate all you’ve given us thus far:)
July 21st, 2015 @ 2:20 pm
just got back i was on a road trip to see the family up in wy. i sure hope you are feeling better each day. hold down the fort and batten down the hatches.
July 21st, 2015 @ 5:31 pm
Don’t worry about us, Shreve, just take care of YOU. Healing takes time. Recalibrating your body takes more time. But you will get there. Cut yourself plenty of slack and take each day as it comes. Whenever you’re up to reaching out to us, we’ll be here. In the meantime, hugs and blessings will continue to head your way.
July 21st, 2015 @ 7:33 pm
You can’t worry about the past. Focus on the now. What was, was. Just remember to breathe today.
July 21st, 2015 @ 8:05 pm
Just concern yourself about getting better. Shreve, You bring a lots of pleasure to a lot of people and I am sure everyone understands and wishes you well.
July 21st, 2015 @ 8:21 pm
L, HHN, M, EP, A, B, B, W1, MJ, S, TS, M, E: THANK YOU <3
July 21st, 2015 @ 8:30 pm
Shreve, I think you are doing great and try not to expect so much from yourself. I can’t do at 100% what you are doing at 85%. It has not been long at all since your surgery and recuperation is probably going to take over a year. The type of surgery you had affects you emotionally as much as physically so recovery will not happen quickly. Hang in there. You have my thoughts and prayers. The photo of the wildflowers is wonderful. I really love it!
July 22nd, 2015 @ 4:17 am
Hi Shreve, I think easternpanther said it best. I have suffered with thyroid disease for years. it affects you in so many ways! listen to your body and do what you need to do to reach your high. (which it sounds like you are.) I’m curious about what your taking for treatment. I’ve been on synthroid for ever and wonder if body could use a change. take care of Mike and family and YOU! (that would wear out most people)sending you thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery
July 22nd, 2015 @ 4:30 am
Take all the time you need.
It is o.k. :)
Sometimes life brings changes which beg a “new normal”. It is hard to deal with those when we have been so accustomed to the “old normal” and felt fine with that.
Best wishes for all of that!
-d-
July 22nd, 2015 @ 7:40 am
Just wanted to say as someone who struggles with a chronic illness, your work and presence have helped me through some very dark times. I discovered your blog in 2010 and it has often been a touchstone for me to reconnect with nature and what’s really important in my life during stretches when I’ve been in intense pain and housebound. Winter of 2014 when I was in serious pain for months and could barely move, I read your book about Charlie and it was a bright spot during a tough time. Please know that your spirit and attitude affect many of us so positively. We’ll be here when you come out the other side of this ordeal. In the meantime, take care of yourself as you figure out your new orientation to your health and well being. Thanks for all you share with us.
July 22nd, 2015 @ 7:53 am
I’m glad you’re getting stronger and understand what needs to be shed for the sake of self-care. Thanks for sharing your amazing life with us, the negative as well as the positive. Enjoy your summer and continue to feel better.
July 22nd, 2015 @ 12:00 pm
No patience needed – I echo all the great comments above and feel so blessed that you provide this amazing blog every day. I often consider what it takes to do it all in such an inviting format: the photos (man, the photos!), the happy, healthy animals to photograph, the captions, the word smithing of the stories… and all of it while coping with horrendous weather, a crazed stalker, hunters, health challenges and all the things you never mention. Hey, the antler-wielding negotiations while brokering an understanding with a headstrong coyote alone would drop most people in their tracks.
You are loved and appreciated in every possible way. xo
July 22nd, 2015 @ 7:58 pm
I know how difficult it is to be patient with your body when it is accustomed to functioning at another level.
Thank you for sharing your journey here; it helps more than you can imagine.
I am enjoying your photos on Instagram–thank you for that!
Take good care Shreve.
July 23rd, 2015 @ 9:01 am
Thank you all, so so much.
T – I’m taking dessicated thyroid, specifically NP Thyroid by Acella. Really happy with it.
July 23rd, 2015 @ 10:57 am
sending you positive thoughts!!
July 24th, 2015 @ 6:53 am
i don’t mean to sound cheesy, but you have truly been an inspiration to me! Your pictures make me see my photography in a whole new way. I learn so much through your beautiful photos. Take care of yourself, and thank you.
July 24th, 2015 @ 7:13 pm
These comments say everything I want to say too. Love, Love. Love
July 25th, 2015 @ 7:20 am
dont worry about us, darlin’, just let yourself heal. xoxo
July 26th, 2015 @ 5:49 pm
Take care of yourself Shreve, all of the rest can wait!!! Thank you for the ways you continue to inspire me and it looks like lots of others too! Your health is most important. Hugs to you.
July 27th, 2015 @ 11:42 am
What Diane said about a “new normal.” Each of the last two summers* I had a significant medical event (one GI-related; one neurological). Neither involved surgery, just lots of diagnostic work-ups and ICU time. In each case, I had to deal with finding and accepting that “new normal” — complicated, of course, by the natural aging process (I’m now 68). Time and your family & friends will help you get there: just take time; rest as much as you need to, and spend most of your time worrying about those closest to you, not us out here. You’ve already given us so much over the years that a little patience on our part is hardly too much to ask!
*For me, the good news is that it’s almost August and, so far, no new medical crisis — maybe I’ve broken the trend!
August 4th, 2015 @ 8:30 am
I have had all my life Hashimoto thyroid disease. My immune system becomes activated against me ..when my thyroid is not balanced, or even emotions…getting the energy back is. Another total story I struggle with this all my life…ups and downs and I’m 58 that’s a long time..just listen to your body and my opinion not push yourself past your energy level..or you’ll pay fir it later !
Marlene from Cambria
August 12th, 2015 @ 7:50 pm
I hope you keep feeling better, Shreve, not least because I miss the farmily!