[nagdu] Recovering

[Tracy Carcione]

On June 10, I had major surgery--a mastectomy and reconstruction.  The
first affects my right arm, and the second is abdominal surgery that makes
it difficult to move about quickly.  All went well, and I am recovering as
I should.
I wasn't able to work Ben for a while, because I couldn't walk fast
enough, but in the last few days I've been able to take a couple short
walks with him.  I put on his pinch collar, because I am still not very
strong.  I've been taking along my support cane, because I'm still a bit
wobbly, and our sidewalks have some big cracks. I'm also taking my husband
in case I get in trouble.  I'm sure I'm quite the sight, but I'm very
happy to be able to get out of the house and work my dog.  It's a goal for
me--a stepping-stone to getting back to normal.  So far, we've been able
to walk a couple blocks down to the main drag, where there are some
benches to rest on before heading back.  Ben has done very well, going
slow enough for me.  He does try to sniff, but with the pinch I can
actually correct him.  And he's so happy to go!  I was a little worried he
might decide the lazy life is the life for him, but when we get the
harness on and get out on the street, he waves the tail-flag high.
Everyone tells me that the more I move around, the quicker I'll recover,
and Benny is helping me do that, not just physically, but by giving me
incentives to get out and work him a bit.
Tracy and Ben, the quiet man