Breaking news!

Okay, okay, it's not TOTALLY breaking, but I've been noticing something BIG and new over the last month or so.  The recovery of my brain after surgery that I was told would be fully maximized within 6 months or so of surgery?  Well, my friends, my brain isn't done healing!

My biggest post-surgery difference has had to do with my (lack of) sense of direction and (lack of) ability to orient myself.  But I've definitely been noticing that my sense of direction is improving!  I can remember directions and ways that I walked or drove *slightly* better than I have been.  I have a list of places that I can drive to without my GPS and feel comfortable doing that (Target, Bellevue park & ride, grocery store, downtown Seattle (mostly)).  I know that seems silly, as these are places I've been driving to for years and years, but me feeling comfortable and confident in my abilities to navigate without needing GPS and without screwing it up is new and sooooo nice!

I would say that before surgery, my sense of direction was about an 8 out of 10.  Not amazing, but I could get around easily enough and remember things.  Post surgery, I'd call it a 2.  That's perhaps generous.  What is it today?!  Maybe a 3!  Woo hooooo!!!

Celebrating with coworker Lindsay and 80s icon Lisa Frank's friends

Do I still have a long way to go to get back to my pre-surgery abilities in this department?  Yes.  But are things continuing to improve (which pleasantly surprises me)?  YES!  The improvements in my direction are really helping my confidence.  I haven't felt confidence in my navigating since before surgery, and starting to feel that again is sooo nice.  It's making me tear up just typing that.  (I'm such a softie now!  Sheesh.)