I have been under antesthia (and yes I had to look up how to spell that word) seven times and at different depths. The medicine they use and how “out” you are matter on what they need to do. A colonoscopy, not so deep maybe even kinda aware. Paterllar tendon rupture, you are snoozing deep and for longer.

Now this is anecdotal, not backed by a lot of research and study on the half life of drugs in the human system (there is a reason I was only pre med for one semester) but more something to ponder and not feel so alone.

The longer I am under and the older I get (first time under was late 20s for my wisdom teeth), the harder it is to regain focus the weeks after the procedure. I am fine with day to day tasks. The laundry gets done, food purchased, house cleaned. Things that require motion or movement, I do not seem to struggle with the focus needed to complete them. It is the being still projects.

I find it next to impossible to read. Maybe a magazine article but anything having chapters, I just cannot do it. Writing? Nope. Painting? Nope. Crochet? Nope. Genealogy? Nope. Jigsaw puzzles? Nope. Even listening to music can be annoying to me. And I find this doubly annoying because these are all things I enjoy, bring me comfort and allow me to unwind. But I find myself getting more stressed out because I cannot enjoy the things that relax me.

The following are things I have tried that have helped me get over this hump of lack of focus.

Reading. I find rereading something I have read many times and have enjoyed helps. Now is not the time to tackle War and Peace for the first time. I also find that audio books (check your library they should have bunches) helps. The narrator can make a huge difference. (Kevin R Free is a master with the Murderbot Diaries). And give yourself permission to stop reading a book and put it back on your To Be Read (TBR) list. I read one time that a TBR pile is like a wine cellar and you need to be in the right place for certain books.

Music. Music for me is tied to time periods, events in my life, and people. If this is also you, try to find music that helps to reinforce those positive time periods. Maybe make a playlist just for you that helps you feel more in charge or at peace. I have also found that Music for Plants (not all songs but if you have access to a playlist like this) helps me to focus or is good background when I am trying to focus. I also enjoy the four season albums by George Winston depending on what season it is.

Jigsaw Puzzles. They normally relax me. In normal focus life, I like 1,000 piece and under. And that is more a clutter issue, I don’t like it sitting around that long. I have found that the 350-500 piece ones from Dollar Tree are super helpful for me. Especially the 350 ones.  I can sit and in very little time feel I am accomplishing something. These have been a life saver for me.

Painting. Even a small canvas can feel like too much. My go to here is to find small rocks, smaller than a quarter and paint them. I paint tiny cats, snoopy, geometric designs, you name it. On the back, I write small messages, be kind, you got this, hugs, you matter, etc. little clear nail polish when dry and I leave them around for people to find.

Along these same lines, I am not really a coloring book person, but a dear friend gave me this wee coloring book (see the lead picture). Maybe 4”x4” and very basic with colored pencils. With that I was able to both color and shade but also make doodles and slowly find my creative again. It was so helpful that when I do see those little books (you can order them from their site also) I pick up some to give to friends struggling with focus.

What all these Ideas have in common is bite sized pieces. And you will be able to return to prior focus, just not today or tomorrow and it may seem like never. But each day you will make a bit more progress. Just be kind to you. And try to get some movement in, even if it is a short walk or light stretching; that and fresh air will help a bunch.

One more thing as an aside. My uncle is at moderate stage dementia and had to have a heart valve replacement. They did through his leg but they had to put him really out as he needed to not move for the procedure for obvious reasons. He had a super hard time coming out, very combative and confused for at least 12-18 hours after waking and struggled a lot for the next week/month or so. Was the surgery necessary? Yes I think so, but the combativeness caught us by surprise. The hospital did have a program that had medical students that would sit with him the entire time. Very inobtrusive but there for him since he was not able because of the confusion to push his call button. Something to ask about if you are in that situation.