I had a second neck surgery on December 3rd to fuse C4-C6. It was not a decision I made lightly, and the initial recovery was difficult, but I can honestly say that I feel better. My pain is not completely gone, but it is better. In my mind, I think I am in better shape than I actually am.

I’m not sure what I was thinking, but I scheduled a pretty rigorous week of travel. I left on Monday for Vegas to speak at an event on Tuesday and left that same evening to Nashville to participate in a meeting and speak on Thursday morning. The last leg of my trip was to get home Thursday evening and fly out to Washington DC on Friday morning through Sunday to take part in a project with my son. And then the following Tuesday I would drive to Denver to take part in my seminary classes for the week.

I’m healing well, this should be a piece of cake…

So I thought.

Wednesday proved to be extremely difficult. My pain was flaring up and I had to take pain medications that slow me down, so I was struggling to stay alert and active during the day. Fortunately, my friend encouraged me to go back to the hotel and call it a night during the dinner hour. That was great advice.

Thursday was better, but by the time I got to the airport to head home, my pain was flaring up and I realized that I was doing too much. I know, how did I not already know that. I wanted nothing more than to make my schedule work and participate 100% in my activities, but I had to decide to take my trip to DC off the calendar at the last minute.

There is nothing I hate more than disappointing someone, but in order to make sure my health was taken care of and that I could be completely present for my classes in Denver the next week, I had to raise the white flag. As I called my contact in DC, I teared up, and I realized that not only was I upset at letting some people down, I was upset that my pain got the best of me.

I had to change my plans because my pain would not let me function.

Part of me wanted to push through the pain and meet all my obligations, but I had to step back and weigh my options. What was going to be best, not for others, but for myself?

Putting yourself first is not easy, and I started to forget how hard I have worked on my health over the past 18 months. One three-day trip could have put me out of commission for over a week. I’m just glad I listened to my body, even though I didn’t like what it was saying.

Have you put yourself first lately?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. Coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts
2. A new scarf
3. Crossing my legs during a flight
4. Clorox travel wipes
5. A yummy sweater