One week post-op and I am… well, humbled, but back to share the wisdom I’ve gained from my most recent surgical escapade. Now, I wish I could tell you I’ve spent my first week of recovery surrounded by Pinterest-worthy snack trays and perfectly portioned healing meals… but that would be a load of bull ****—which is definitely not my style. I prefer a different part of the bull: the one that feels like a warm hug in a mug—bone broth.
The truth is, my appetite packed its bags and went on vacation without me. I had so many medications I needed to take, and I couldn’t force myself to eat. It turned into a pathophysiology lesson for my daughter, who is now an expert on emesis.
Why Bone Broth Was My Recovery MVP
Beef bone broth isn’t just a cozy sip—it’s a slow-simmered powerhouse. Hours of gentle cooking pull nutrients from the bones and connective tissue, giving you:
- Collagen & Gelatin: Building blocks for skin, joint, and tissue repair.
- Amino Acids (like glycine and proline): Essential for healing and maintaining muscle.
- Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus—straight from the bones.
- Protein Boost: About 10 grams per serving, which is a win when your appetite is nowhere to be found but your body is running a construction crew inside.
How I Managed It When Eating Felt Impossible
Some days, all I could do was heat it, pour it in a mug, and sip.
Other days, I got fancy and tossed in steamed carrots or potatoes and sprinkled in turmeric and black pepper for an anti-inflammatory nudge (yes, still keeping that golden glow from my last post). For those of you who got bit by the curiosity cat like I did. I am sure you are wondering about the surgery.
It was called an Anterior lumbar interbody fusion laminectomy with multilevel spinal fusion of L5-S1 and vascular assist.
The non-med school version of that is: imagine a pit crew working on your spine from both the front and the back. They scooped out the bad cushions between my vertebrae, made extra wiggle room for my nerves, added a prosthetic disc and then bolted some of the bones together so they heal as one sturdy piece. Oh—and because one wrong move near those big blood highways in your belly could turn me into a crime scene, they brought in a vascular surgeon to safely scoot them out of the way. During the first surgery the vascular surgeon went in through my abdomen and cleared my insides out so the orthopedic surgeon could scoop, wiggle, and replace. During the second surgery the orthopedic surgeon went in through my back and bolted the prosthetic disc to the rest of my spine so it cannot move. I am happy to report my almost 3rd grader is the world’s best nurse and I am doing great and recovering well!
Okay, back to the important stuff…
The Science Meets the Comfort
The research on bone broth as a whole is still catching up, but the nutrients inside it have decades of evidence behind them. Protein helps rebuild tissue, collagen supports connective structures, and minerals keep your systems functioning while you heal. Plus—let’s be honest—the mental lift from something warm, savory, and easy to stomach is its own kind of medicine.
If this recovery taught me anything, it’s that healing isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about finding what works in your moment. For me, it wasn’t a perfect plate. It was a steaming mug of beef bone broth, reminding me that small, steady steps forward still count.
Cheers!
Mrs Farminsteadical
—where the garden meets the lab coat
Post script for my curiosity kitty cousins 😉: it was a car accident.
Farminsteadicals 