Well, it has been 8 days since the surgery and I am recovering at home. Things are a bit different than they were in the hospital. My sleeping schedule is a bit off. It’s very hard to sleep at night or during the very early morning hours. I’ve spent a lot of time watching the deer in the morning while everyone else is still sleeping. My first night home I was able to take a shower. Now that felt good. It was my first time going up stairs so I was a bit scared. Matt helped me up as it was very “confusing” and exhausting to walk up the stairs. I attempted to sleep in my own bed that night but after about 30 minutes of trying to get comfy, I just couldn't do it. So down the stairs we went so that I could sleep in the recliner that Matt had bought me for my birthday. I still need help getting up and down the stairs and in and out of the shower. It is one of those “lift chairs”. It’s been my very good friend since I have been home. The last few nights I have finally slept in my bed.
I have been taking walks around the house. I was glad the rain stopped after the weekend so that Matt could take me outside to walk. I walked up and down the drive way several times. I am learning to listen to my body as to when enough is enough. I continue to do my breathing exercises with my spirometer (Olivia calls it my lung machine). It is difficult but I know that I need to use it. I will start cardiac rehab in a couple weeks. I will be doing this at St. Mary’s Ozaukee Hospital. This will help tremendously with my recovery.
Tomorrow I have a follow up appointment with my Cardiologist as well as an appointment with the new Renal Doctor. I will also have a chest xray and lab work done. The chest xray should tell if all of the fluid is off of my left lung. There was still some when I was released from the hospital and the last 2 days I have had a lot of pain my back. They talked about draining it when I was in the hospital but it seemed to be getter better.
I am waiting for my taste buds to return. Nothing tastes like food or the way it should. I guess I’ll lose some weight out of all of this. Not even water. It’s very strange. I finally was able to have some grapefruit juice for the first time in over 2 years. One of my heart meds I was on prevented me from drinking it. Since the surgery I haven’t had to take on my heart meds I was on. I started Tikosyn in 2007 and now after the surgery, I do not need to take it anymore. That is great news. The drug has so many side effects and there are pages of other meds you can’t take with it. So I was relieved when the doctors told me I didn’t need it anymore.
Again, thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. Matt goes back to work on Monday which I’m a bit nervous about that. I may have my mom come up a few days. As I continue my recovery at home I will keep your thoughts and prayers with me. I’m sure in time I will be better than I felt 5 years ago. Thank you for all your support.
I have been taking walks around the house. I was glad the rain stopped after the weekend so that Matt could take me outside to walk. I walked up and down the drive way several times. I am learning to listen to my body as to when enough is enough. I continue to do my breathing exercises with my spirometer (Olivia calls it my lung machine). It is difficult but I know that I need to use it. I will start cardiac rehab in a couple weeks. I will be doing this at St. Mary’s Ozaukee Hospital. This will help tremendously with my recovery.
Tomorrow I have a follow up appointment with my Cardiologist as well as an appointment with the new Renal Doctor. I will also have a chest xray and lab work done. The chest xray should tell if all of the fluid is off of my left lung. There was still some when I was released from the hospital and the last 2 days I have had a lot of pain my back. They talked about draining it when I was in the hospital but it seemed to be getter better.
I am waiting for my taste buds to return. Nothing tastes like food or the way it should. I guess I’ll lose some weight out of all of this. Not even water. It’s very strange. I finally was able to have some grapefruit juice for the first time in over 2 years. One of my heart meds I was on prevented me from drinking it. Since the surgery I haven’t had to take on my heart meds I was on. I started Tikosyn in 2007 and now after the surgery, I do not need to take it anymore. That is great news. The drug has so many side effects and there are pages of other meds you can’t take with it. So I was relieved when the doctors told me I didn’t need it anymore.
Again, thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. Matt goes back to work on Monday which I’m a bit nervous about that. I may have my mom come up a few days. As I continue my recovery at home I will keep your thoughts and prayers with me. I’m sure in time I will be better than I felt 5 years ago. Thank you for all your support.
