1st week home

[TiredTickerInTx]

Hello everyone,

Well I have been home a week now and so far everything seems to be coming along fine. Sleeping is still somewhat of an issue but gets better every day.
Not real sure what to be expecting as far as what should and should not hurt.
Nothing is really bad but I do get sore high on my right side of my chest occasionally.
Kinda feels like the lungs but I am not having any problems breathing and I am still using the spirometer all the time. Like I said though, it is nothing real bad. Tends to go away as I move around.
It is so hard to stop yourself from doing things that are so instinctual. I am always wanting to reach way out for things or wanting to bend over to pick things up that I shouldn't be. I actually went to pick up some dumb thing off the floor the other day and hit my sternum right on the corner of the counter!
Man, that hurt. I have been fortunate enough to have my wife here with me this week to help me out and keep me in line. I have to remember that even though I am going to feel better, I have to allow time for healing and general rest.
I feel pretty good otherwise. I wake up and am able to breathe comfortably right away now and don't gasp for air for the first 30 minutes. Trying to get outside for my walks but it has been kind of cold (for Texas) and so been doing lots of laps though the house. My dog thinks I'm nuts.

Well ya'll have a great day and I will check in later.

Kevin

 

[ALCapshaw2]

YEP, many (most) OHS patients find that sleep comes in short spurts. Sounds pretty normal to me. NAPS are GOOD!

Many OHS patients go "Mall Walking" in Summer and/or Winter to get out of the weather. Hopefully that will keep your Dog from looking at you with wondering eyes.
(Of course that mean someone will need to drive you there for a few more weeks)

Everyone wrestles with 'Wanting to Do More than they should'. Patience and Persistence wins the race, but that doesn't mean it's EASY to do. Our bodies tend to give us little 'reminders' as you have already discovered. :-(

Try to find ways to keep your mind and body in sync.
Walk / exercise / read / talk when you feel energized
and take a nap when your body says it's had enough. You'll get there but it always takes longer than we would like.

Best wishes,

'AL'

 

[Lily]

Hello everyone,

Well I have been home a week now and so far everything seems to be coming along fine. Sleeping is still somewhat of an issue but gets better every day.
Not real sure what to be expecting as far as what should and should not hurt.
Nothing is really bad but I do get sore high on my right side of my chest occasionally.
Kinda feels like the lungs but I am not having any problems breathing and I am still using the spirometer all the time. Like I said though, it is nothing real bad. Tends to go away as I move around.
It is so hard to stop yourself from doing things that are so instinctual. I am always wanting to reach way out for things or wanting to bend over to pick things up that I shouldn't be. I actually went to pick up some dumb thing off the floor the other day and hit my sternum right on the corner of the counter!
Man, that hurt. I have been fortunate enough to have my wife here with me this week to help me out and keep me in line. I have to remember that even though I am going to feel better, I have to allow time for healing and general rest.
I feel pretty good otherwise. I wake up and am able to breathe comfortably right away now and don't gasp for air for the first 30 minutes. Trying to get outside for my walks but it has been kind of cold (for Texas) and so been doing lots of laps though the house. My dog thinks I'm nuts.

Well ya'll have a great day and I will check in later.

Kevin

Did your surgeon instruct you to do breathing exercises with a spirometer? If so, be sure and keep up with them as directed. They can be very helpful.

My surgeon was a little stricter with me than a lot of other experiences that I have read here but his explanation was good. He said for me to not to lift or push or pull more than five pounds for eight weeks. That included doors and such. And a gallon of milk is about eight pounds. You'll feel better soon.

Also, even laps in the house are better than no laps . I had to do indoor laps for awhile. We live way out in the country and had horrible wildfires right after my surgery so the air quality was just awful.

Take care .

 

[netmiff]

sounds like you're on track, pain could be from the way they position you on the table etc., I had lots of muscle pains for a few weeks. Also, getting comfy to sleep was an issue, I usually felt one or two muscles complaining, no matter how I lay! I took sleep in 3-4 hour spurts for a week or two, and that is NOT normal for me - I can sleep for days given the opportunity! You will get there

 

[river-wear]

Welcome home, Kevin! I'm glad you've been feeling pretty good in spite of all that you've been through! Be patient and you'll be better before you know it.

Michele

 

[TXWildflower]

My fellow Texan,I am glad you are home but probably not as glad as you are! Slow and steady now. We sure have been having the cold weather lately. It was a scorching summer and now a really cold winter so far. I don't think it matters where you do your walking as long as you do it. I walk the mall everyday as part of my lifestyle change. I don't know if there is one convenient to you, but it is great beause it is all flat and easy walking. Best of luck to you on a speedy recovery.

Rhena

 

[COLLEEN S]

Sounds like you are doing pretty well!

 

[Danny]

Kevin, glad you seem to be doing ok. Yep, sleep was an issue for me as well. Just take it slow, and it gets better.

 

[mac]

Good luck, the weeks tent to fly by. I'm 4 weeks post op today and it feels like 4 months. Yes it is hard not to do things. I ride the bus to my re-hab, open doors at bus stations...with 2 hands.....and I'am sure in some cases pushing the envelope as far as the 5lb max on the lifting...yes it is hard to behave. Patients, patients, patients.

Mac, from the sunny shores of Lake Superior
AVR, single by-pass
Dr. Suri
Mayo Clinic

 

[Philip B]

Progress

Progress

It sounds like you're making progress. I couldn't handle sitting around the house after the hopsital sent me home so I just returned to work; of course, that's not for everybody.

Do make an effort not to overdo things. Your body will let you know if you're going too fast or pushing too hard; listen to it. Enjoy being on the mend!

-Philip