Three weeks in...

... and we tried it again. Playing, that is. This time, armed with the knowledge that I couldn't take as much, we did much better.

The standing and leaning in the doorway bit really didn't work. It was uncomfortable for me, awkward for him, and generally unsatisfying. So we scratched that and pondered on what else we could try. I still can't lie flat (my head needs to be propped up a bit) and I cannot lie on my stomach with my face down. So traditional OTK or on the bed is out.

Wandering around my apartment, Steve's eye fell on the old beanbag chair in my bedroom. Yes, I still have one of those. Bought it years ago when they were trendy, and never got around to tossing it. These days, I just put a decorative pillow on it and use it as a receptacle for shed clothing before I eventually hang it back up. "How about if you bend over this and then brace yourself with your arms on the other side, so that your head stays up?" he suggested. I gave that a shot, and sure enough, it was quite comfortable. I had to make sure I kept my head up and didn't let it dangle or rest down on my arms, but otherwise, it was very relaxed.

Just a nice, slow, gently escalating hand spanking this time. He took his time, giving me thorough coverage and spreading the warmth and color evenly. He claimed he was an artist and my bottom was his canvas. "I love painting," he declared. I suggested that perhaps I should put little numbers all over my butt so he could follow them. That didn't go over too well.

No implements this time. I figured why push it -- this felt just right, and there would be plenty of time in the future to get back to the heavier stuff. Right now, I was content with the sting and the warmth of his hand.

When I flipped onto my back to sprawl on the beanbag for a while as I came down, he wanted to get a shot of my face. I was hesitant, but said OK. He set the camera timer so we could get something sweet. So... here I am, three weeks in.

This is mostly untouched. I did two things: 1. I put the little overlay heart over some icky scabby stuff you don't need to see, and 2. I used the "shine reduction" tool, because I am using heavy-duty emollient cream and it makes my face shinier than Kim Kardashian's ass.

Oh, and if you've been off the Internet all this week and don't get that reference, here's that little viral treat for you:

No words. Well, OK, I have words. But I probably shouldn't say them. 

Anyway. You get my point. I didn't doctor the photo overmuch, just those two things.

Yesterday, I bitched on Twitter that I felt like I was living with the Seven Dwarfs of Post-Surgery: Scabby, Crabby, Weepy, Puffy, Yucky, Painful and Gross. Yeah, I know, I know, I have to be patient and positive. However, those traits are not part of my makeup. Allow me one paragraph so I can blow off some complaining, and then I'll stop, I promise.

I know I'm getting better, even though I can't really see it because I look at myself every day. Steve and John both have seen me directly after, then after a week, then two weeks, and they both say they see a big difference each time. Me? All I see is my right eyebrow that still doesn't move, my scabby neck and scalp, my numb face and ears, and my hair in the sink and in the bathtub drain. Fascinating stuff you learn about surgery recovery -- apparently, the shock to the system from surgery (or a bad injury, or illness, or even pregnancy) can cause your hair to go into a resting phase and it thins out. You don't go bald or anything like that, and it all grows back, but when you're going through it, it's a bit scary. Plus, I still can't style my hair, because I can't use the blow dryer on my still-healing scalp. The Internet lied. They said the first two weeks are the worst, which they were, certainly. They say you'll feel more like yourself and be able to resume a lot of your normal activity after two weeks, and that was true as well. But they didn't mention how grotesque you'll feel, after those first couple of weeks during which you're kind of out of it, when that long healing process is evolving and you're going through all kinds of ugly.

(sigh) OK, enough. Good news -- I worked out twice this week. Gently. Nothing aerobic. But I did some weights and a couple of walks. I'm sleeping very well. I'm down to one dose of Advil per day, usually at night. I'm eating well and taking all kinds of vitamins.

This. Too. Shall. Pass. And it will be worth it, dammit.

Thanks to everyone who participated and stopped by during our LOL9 Days! It was lovely to see all your posts, and your comments to me. I would say we had quite the success. I'll wait for Hermione to let us know the final stats.

Have a great weekend, y'all.