After my hernia operation, my sister and her husband drove me back to their place in Port Charlotte Florida. I had pain meds and stool softeners although neither was really needed.
My sister and her husband each have recliners set up in front of a large screen TV and it is often on. I vegetated on the couch taking naps and watching the British antiques competition shows. I wasn’t supposed to eat any heavy food so I mostly drank liquids.
It was a relaxing several days at my sister’s. After being on the couch for so long, I needed to get out for a walk, so Pat and I walked around the block. I had packed some food in a cooler so I wasn’t infringing on Pat and Mike too much. I also treated them to diner and paid for the hotel since they were doing me a favor.
My doctor had warned that there could be complications, but My recovery went smoothly. I felt stabbing pain in my abdomen several times but over the counter aspirin kept that pain manageable. Shortly after this operation I would be moving to downtown Orlando.
All my belongings were in storage except for a backpack and my sketchbook. After the operation I went to Orlando because I was given the opportunity to sketch as many Fringe Shows as I could handle in May. I ended up sketching over 70 shows while jumping from one air B4B to the next. By moving from Air B&B each week, I figured out where I didn’t want to live in Orlando. Several of the places were on the flight paths to the airport and I refuse to listen to planes land in the morning. Each evening I would look at apartment listings in Orlando until I found what seemed like the perfect artist studio to move into.
I looked at 513 East Livingston Street with a group of college students. They were deciding who would move into which bedroom. I was figuring out what the light would be like coming in the studio windows. I opened up every window in the place to get a feel for the views. I tested light switches and the water to be sure things were working. When I got home, I immediately started mapping out where my art supplies would go. I knew I wanted to move in.
Moving would be a real test to see if the incisions would hold up. I decided to hire two movers for the job since lifting large boxes could cause the hernia to return. I loaded up my car several times. One load was all my sketchbooks. I decided that was the most important cargo. All the sketchbooks in their boxes just barely fit into my Prius.
One item disappeared during the move. That was my Hathaspace Hepa Air Filter. I am assuming the movers needed that item for their home. I purchased a new one for several hundred dollars. It was an expensive “tip”. I will of course never hire those movers again.