I'm here...I crossed the river

[Guest]

Well I made it....so far so good....was quite an interesting trip. I tried to describe it and I kept coming back to it...it's a trip. You meet so many people in so many areas and your so medicated it's hard to figure out what you remember. I think this post might be a bit like that. So I’ll write as it comes. Maybe I will have a few questions and comments. Whatever I say I remain totally grateful. BTW ladies there is a guy question which I will keep to the end if you’re squeamish on such things. Nothing earth shattering

1. For me nausea was and remained the problem. The tubes etc did not drive me nuts. Which surprised me. I had a heart cath on 12/7 then surgery on 12/8. So the Cath drugs were potent but did not knock me out...actually felt great. Until I puked for an hour after. Then straight away the next day into the knockout.

2. Surgery went great. Thanks to Dr Gaca and his team.

3. Duke ICU was awesome. I happened to be one of those that remembers and struggled with the breathing tube.

4. In the regular room is where I struggled. Just could not get over the ill feeling. It basically stopped me cold for a couple of days. Once I had bowel movements and went just to Tylenol I got better straight away. But it was awful for a day or so. Pretty sure I am one of those folks who should avoid opioids at all cost.

5. Shave yourself. I felt bad for that guy and me. It was chin to knee.

6. Sleep has been very tough. Recliner did not work for me so it's just been a parade of positions. Take any advice I can get on this one. Sleep for 2 hrs but wake up so stiff and painful it's hard to get situated.

7. Eating like a mule. Not sure why that is. Not so much at one time. Just often hungry. I am checking my weight each day and it has been solid.
8. Walking and doing the breathing tool.
9. 2 steps forward and 1 step back…..saw that on here somewhere…best description I can think of.
10. Man question. I immediately noticed that I looked noticeably atrophied in that dept. Also unable to maintain an erection. I am not trying to have sex but just checking the works. Just curious if anyone has faced that.

Thanks…this site really has save me.

 

[honeybunny]

Who is this, if I may ask? Your post came up as "guest".

Glad you made it to the other side in shape that is par for the course with OHS. I also had trouble sleeping in my power recliner. I felt as if my hormones/metabolism were running amuck and I just couldn't get comfortable for more than (like you) about 2 hours at a time. Sometimes I shifted to the sofa but that wasn't much better. I had to be propped up to some degree. It was week six (I think) before I was able to move back to my bed and even then I really didn't feel truly comfortable until about week 8.

I agree with the 2 steps forward, one backward. I had pleural effusion for 3 weeks and that set me back considerably. But I feel just awesome now at almost 3 months out. In fact, I can't believe how much better I seem to get with each passing day. But until about week 8 I was worried that I wasn't making enough progress. Fortunately I listened to the wise folks here and tried not to stress about it. Sure enough, they were right. It was just a matter of time.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

[cpj123]

CPJ123....not sure what I did to sign in as guest

 

[pellicle]

Welcome to this side

If you dont sign in (or it times out) you get guest.

To address your question: mine looked like a sultana for a while, but it was the least of my concernes. Don't worry, your "friend" will be back to normal when your spirit truly is. I took a pee after they took out the catheter while in ICU. I wish i had sat for that.

 

[MrsBray]

Regarding sleeping - make sure all your upper body weight is supported. This means head, neck, shoulders, & arms. I found that I could relax and get a bit of real rest if:
I used one of those U-shaped travel pillows to hold my head up
I had a bed pillow wedged under each arm, so the weight of my arms wasn't pulling my shoulders down (so I wasn't using energy to stay upright in the recliner
I stood up straight - like military straight - whenever I was out of my chair.

it ain't easy, and it ain't quick.
Soon, though, you'll look back at the past year and wonder why you don't remember so much of it.
-Meredith

 

[harrietW]

Cpj123
Congratulations sounds like you are doing well under the circumstances. Hope you continue healing well and that eventual everything is back to normal. Yeah opiates under any circumstances for me is a good thing to stay away from. Hope your rest improves as you go and you get lots of it. Watching for updates.

 

[harrietW]

Honeybunny that's just crazy to read your coming up on 3 months ... wow seem like just a few short weeks. Glad your doing well and sleeping better. Xx