A Small Health Update (And Why Tarantulas Make Great Recovery Pets)
Last updated on by NF-Stefan
If you have noticed that hompage posts and articles and video uploads have slowed down recently, there is a simple reason for it. I had an appendectomy in February.
It started with abdominal pain that did not feel quite right. A CT scan confirmed early-stage appendicitis, and surgery followed shortly after. The procedure was done laparoscopically, which means small incisions and a relatively quick discharge from the hospital. Still, even “minor” surgery is not something you just walk away from as if nothing happened.
The first days at home were mostly about resting, moving carefully, and respecting a strict lifting limit. Recovery also included a painful wound infection that needed treatment and antibiotics, which slowed things down a bit more than expected. Open-wound treatment of an abscess? Pain level 10/10, cannot recommend.
Slower Pace, Different Perspective
Physically, the main limitation was pressure and discomfort in the abdominal area. Reaching, bending, and stretching were not particularly enjoyable. That became very clear when trying to access the highest enclosures on my shelves. Stretching upward during the first days at home was surprisingly painful. That is something you do not think about when you design a tarantula setup.
On the bright side, this situation once again highlighted why tarantulas are such practical pets. They are low maintenance. They do not require constant attention. Feeding can be spaced out. Water dishes can be refilled slowly and carefully. A few quieter weeks do not negatively impact them.
Content creation, however, does require energy. Filming, setting up lights, moving equipment, and standing for longer periods simply were not ideal during early recovery. So I made the conscious decision to focus on healing instead of pushing out half-hearted videos.
Emotionally, surgery also messes a bit with your perception of your own body. Swelling, stitches, and forced inactivity are not exactly confidence boosters. But recovery is progressing well, mobility improves week by week, and things are slowly returning to normal.
So if uploads were a bit slow, now you know why.
Videos will continue, blog posts will contintue. The spiders are fine. And I am getting there too.
Stay curious, keep it simple, and let your spiders be spiders.
Stefan
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