My Graduated Return To Work

I feel like I'm always apologizing for not blogging more regularly.

But I am sorry.

This return to working full time has taken a lot out of me.
I'm still just at four hours a day. Great-West Life was awesome, and agreed that I could start my shift a bit later in the morning so I could get in some exercise before work.

I kept changing when I was exercising to see what worked best for me and my fatigue.

***I did want to say that exercise is very important for cognitive brain function, turns out,  there have been studies***

Getting some exercise in has been very important to my ongoing recovery.

I tried getting to the YMCA before work, but I was getting up at 5:30am to get to work afterwards, and by the time I got home after my mere four hours of working, I could barely unlock the door to the house. Then I tried going right after my shift, I was only able to exercise for 15 to 20 minutes, and I'd just about pass out. Finally I was going after my afternoon nap, I was able to get there at 5:30 or 6, by the time I finally got home, and had supper, it was nearly time to sleep again, but I was wide awake. For far too long. It started to effect how I would do the next day. Not cool.
Then my counselor suggesting pushing back when I start my day.

Brilliant. 

I asked her if she had a degree or something. 

I never thought that was an option.

Great-West Life agreed to it, so I've been doing that this past few months. It's worked out really well. My water bill is lower with showering at the YMCA. Now that the snow has finally melted away, I've been able to take Chaos running outside in the morning(he's very happy to not have to bundle up), then come home and do the exercises my physiotherapist and exercise therapist gave me, shower at the Y(low water bill), work, walk home, and nap.

My doctor and therapist have both recommended that I stay at 4 hours a day for the next year. I'm still sleeping an incredible amount, and I'm having a hard time getting socializing in. My friends and blog have been neglected, I really want to get back into painting and visual art again(it's so zen), and I'm trying to learn ukulele.
I know, I'm slipping back into my crazy routine. The problem is that I love so much. I want to do it all.