The physical body and the energy body – both ultimately living in union or “couplehood” as my teacher Christine Schenk calls it.  But a minor procedure can certainly send one (or both!) into an incredible spin.

I had a varicose vein procedure on Monday.  I attribute the vein partly to the heredity of my still moving 90 year old grandmother and partly to my years as a dancer.  That being said, I finally got up the courage to have this done.  I trained for the procedure by speaking with my homeopath and getting the right remedies, talking to my therapist, doing yoga and having a conversation with both legs (right said it would help out left) and getting my meditation music onto an ipod.  I thought I was set.

Although it was a local anesthesia and it didn’t “hurt,” there were times when I could certainly “feel” something in my vein from mid-calf to my groin.  While my meditation finally took me to another place, I realized I should have started even before he administered the first needle.  OK – I’ll be ready next time.  “I’ll tell you when the needle goes in” the doctor said.  Don’t bother.  I’m out of here. 

40 minutes later, he throws on my compression stockings.  At least they are black which makes me feel like a dancer. 

Sit up. 

What?!?  I’m so freakin’ stiff from laying there and because they had to lower the room temperature to help close the vein?! 

Stand up. 

What?!  I’m not even “in” that left leg at all and I know it. 

Walk heel toe. 

Are you kidding me?!  Can you please give me a few seconds to come back? 

“Was it as bad as you thought?” the female medical assistant asked me.  YES.  And here’s why…

The body is amazing in it’s ability to undergo any procedure, but I grossly underestimated the physical, mental and energetic training needed to do this.  I gives me an even greater respect for the work I love and the body’s ability to endure, rest and recover. 

The doctor told me not to baby it, go back to your regular day, walk a minimum of one hour per day and don’t do aerobic work or strength training for two weeks.  Got it.  But I never dreamed it would take me 15 minutes to walk an avenue block yesterday.  Oh yeah…slow and steady to recovery. Yet, I am still fully aware that someone was in there messing around with a laser to close that vein off. And I’m really cranky about it.  Respect.

36 hours later I’m still not back fully.  Partly fear, partly lack of an energetic cleansing.  My range of motion is better this morning as I take my time to get the compression stockings on.  Two weeks for these beautiful things.  Thank God it’s cold outside. :)

And so I continue to move slowly knowing I am not fully back.  And that awareness is what is keeping me sane in this moment.  My cod liver oil, homepathic remedies, vitamins and supplements are working on the inside.  I’m doing my best and not pushing the process.  I am certainly going to create a protocol for “training for a procedure/surgery.”  The human body is truly amazing.