There is a magical regenerative power to being sick at home. Especially for those of us who live abroad, when we’re down and out and all rugged up feeling acutely sorry for our lonesome selves, all we want is for our mums to be there, to tsk away at how we’ve not kept warm enough, but at the same time, caressing our feverish foreheads and lovingly nursing us back to health. And somehow, we get better so much quicker.

I’ve been so lucky as to have had all this happen while I’m in Brisbane. Because there is no where in the world I’d rather be right now.

It’s now been a week. One whole week since I was wheeled out of hospital following my “extended hemicolectomy” surgery and I’m on the mend. Recuperating at home has no doubt accelerated this because not only do I have my parents clamouring over each other to smother with me extreme TLC, they’re also my own two personal chefs, cooking up special meals for me everyday which abide by my current requirement to have a soft, soupy, easily digestible and low-fibre diet.

I wonder if my appendix was smarter than I gave it credit for. It bided its time in New York, Vegas and LA… it was even patient enough to outwait Sydney and as soon as I arrived home in Brisbane, it completely lost the plot.

Precision timing, little guy.

Knowing the me that I am, I think the bulk of my recuperation has been in the food my parents have been preparing. And they can cook some amazing food. I mean, they made me have crab congee (above) for dinner on Saturday night. There’s certainly far worse recuperation food out there!

Here are some of the things that have gotten me through the past week:

Chicken soup with carrots, onion and tomato

Chicken and mee sua soup

Pork ribs with winter melon soup

Fish congee with cabbage & ginger

Pork ribs with shredded cucumber soup

Pork rib soup with radish (yes yes I like pork ribs in soup)

And ok they didn’t cook this one but they did go out one day and came home with a little bit of pho for me πŸ™‚

Beef pho

And the TLC doesn’t stop there. Because my dad just loves to spoil me, I’ve also been having some sweetness to round up my meals, mainly mango ice cream or custard with my dad’s home grown persimmons and plums.

Mango ice cream with sliced plums

Persimmons from my dad’s garden

I am a little bit spoilt rotten, aren’t I? But you know what, I’ve got to eat. This whole ordeal has seen me lose over 10% of my bodyweight (which wasn’t all that much to start off with). I haven’t been this skin-and-bones since university (and of course back then I thought I was fat) and honestly? I don’t like it. So feed me more and give me my meat back!

23 Thoughts on “Recovery: why it’s awesome to recuperate at home

  1. Glad to hear that you are on the mend! gotta love being spoilt and home cooked meals!

  2. Chinese recovery food FTW! I love pork rib and winter melon soup (I had it tonight, in fact) and any kind of congee is a win.

  3. take care n get well soon! your current diet looks very much like mine did 1st few weeks after getting out of hospital too. soups/porridge are the way to go – yum.

  4. I’m sorry to hear you’ve lost so much weight, that is really not desirable and I can only imagine it makes you feel so weak! These beautiful dishes look like a perfect way to gain your strength back. I hope you feel better soon xx

  5. Oh my gosh what a horrid ordeal! I am SO GLAD you are in recovery and with your family!! On a totally selfish note…
    Any chance of getting those fish congee and shredded cucumber and pork rib soup recipes? Because those look like they are just so delicious!

  6. Gastronomous Anonymous: Thanks! Yeah it definitely helps to have home cooked food πŸ™‚

    Lizzie: I love that soup! And it’s so easy to make… mmmm soft soft pork ribs…

    Vix: Thanks lovely!

    Maria: Don’t worry, my appetite is coming back and I’m sure I will pile it all back on very soon!

    Sarah: Hehe – the shredded cucumber and pork rib soup is super easy – just put the pork ribs (with bones) in a pot with the shredded cucumber and lots of water and boil low and slow for a long time til the sweetness comes out! Add a dash of soy πŸ™‚ The congee I need to find out about…

  7. OMGosh, so sorry to hear about the surgery. glad it is over now =).

    o gee, did they tell you what sort of infection you had? doesn’t sound like the appendix was the source of the infection was it? i havent seen many appendicitis’ turn into right extended hemi’s.

    did u start eating soon after the surgery? must’ve been on ERAS =). … i think i’m possibly asking too many questions.

    Hope all is well!

    • Hehe that’s ok… it actually was the appendix that caused it all. It had been inflamed for about 10 days and was infected, and the infection spread to the large intestines. On top of that, because of all the absess (ewww) it was lodged under the large intestines and they couldn’t get it out without removing part of the intestines… they did say it was rare that a standard appendectomy turned into a right hemi, but guess it happens!

      I was on a clear liquids diet for about 2 days post surgery and then moved onto low fibres. Am still sort of on a low fibre diet now but am slowly intro’ing more fibres into my diet. I have no idea what ERAS are πŸ™‚

      Are you a doctor???

  8. Good to hear you’re being looked after, eat up girlfriend!

  9. You’re on the mend! YAY!!!!!!!!!

  10. Eat eat eat – it’s the best cure. Particularly when that eating involves your mum;s home made chicken soup. Because there ain’t anything that works better.

    When you recover totally and make your way back to the Big Smoke, make sure you bring some of your Dad’s plums and persimmons with you because they look awesome.

    Think happy foodie thoughts and here’s hoping your back on your feet soon Catty.

  11. Oh Catty, so glad to see that you’re on the mend and that you’re being well looked after at home! Eat lots and lots, you’re only a wee thing and you need to get that healthy weight back!

    See you when you return to London?

    Jax x

  12. Happy to hear you are recuperating well and you are being taken care of wonderfully by your parents! Wishing you love x

  13. Sasa: eating up, Cap’n!

    Linda: I know πŸ˜€ YAY!

    Grubworm: I wonder if I can?? Am I allowed to? Do they quarantine the stuff? My dad has soooo many fruit trees here, if only I could bring them all back πŸ™‚

    Jackie: Sure thang.. should be back in April.

    Ana: Parents are the best cure for any ailment, right?

  14. You’re certainly very well-taken care of! Pork ribs in soup – I could have them everyday I think! Yums. I’m sure you’ll be fattened up (in a good way) by your parents in no time!

  15. Hoping there’s also a good stack of dvds to keep you going. To me, recuperation means chicken soup, ice cream and a steady diet of West Wing…

  16. So happy to hear that you’re on the mend, but with food like this, I’d be tempted to milk as much sympathy out of mum and dad for as long as possible! πŸ˜‰ These are all ‘comfort in a bowl’. Except for the hideous pain and serious surgery, I almost envy you all this good food… 😎

  17. corsage: I know πŸ™‚ I’m starting to get my appetite back so it won’t be long!

    Tori: I have dvds and books and the INTERWEBS! πŸ˜€

    Tracey: hahaha I know, if only we could have food like this all the time without the pain!

  18. Rest up and soak in all the TLC you can get from parents. I love their attention from time to time πŸ™‚

  19. Glad to see you are doing better. The heeling power of food is wonderful, but the healing power of parents is even better.

  20. Glad to hear that you are well taken care of! Take care and eat more!

  21. penny: I know, I haven’t lived at home for over 10 years and I think they are liking it too haha πŸ™‚

    London lady: And joined together, I should be healed pretty quickly!

    pigpigscorner: Thank you!

  22. It is very fortunate you were near your folks when this happened. I remember when I came home from hospital after having Ted that my mom was looking after me for a couple of days and I *really could* do with that kind of attention more often. Despite your mum and dad doubtlessly being scared to death by what happened, I bet they’re really enjoying having you around for a bit longer than they expected to.

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