On the other side now but not happy yet

[Sevgi]

I'm glad to understand, it wasn't really a bath..I was just concerned (and guessing that was what others were worrying about too) because a bath before your incision is healed is a good way to get an infection. Actually when my son was readmitted for his sternal infection the FIRST things quite a few of the staff asked him was IF he took a bath (he hadn't). Was it hard getting up from sitting in the tub? I can't imagine that would be easy, if you prefer to sit for a shower for a while alot of people like to use a plastic chair, even a cheap lawn chair, since it would be easier to get in and out of.
Yes the pain seems normal, plus you had a pretty long car ride, which probably didn't help. Just don't over do it and it should start geetting better soon.
Since you have hydrocodone, but don't like the way it makes you feel. But your pain seems to be worse in the late evening and when you wake up, have you thought about just trying a hydrocodone before bed? It might help with the late night pain and help with sleep and maybe the pain won't be as bad when you wake up, and take the tylenol during the day.

Maybe it's because I had minimally invasive surgery avr but I don't have any problem getting up and down from seated position. Lying down is a whole other matter but I think I've figured out how to do it with the least amount of pain now.
I won't have to wash my hair for a few days so that will make showering much easier. I can stand in the shower easily for 5-10 minutes for that. Hopefully by next time I need to wash my hair, it'll be easier.
Btw, I love the koolaid served here,

 

[Luana]

With the thoracotomy incision, we don't have some of the restrictions that those who've had a sternotomy do. I didn't have any problems getting out of bed, even in the hospital day after surgery, or standing up either.

I am surprised about your pain. I would call doc on Monday and ask if there's anything Rx you can take that won't make you goofy, unless you already had that discussion at the hospital? While my pain wasn't bad, a 5 mg percocet here and there sure did help. Maybe tylenol with codeine might work for you?

 

[Marcia58]

Sevgi,

If your pain is really bad, you could ask your doctor about Toradol. It's strong like an opiate, but it's an NSAID like Motrin, so it won't make you loopy.

 

[Sevgi]

Sevgi,

If your pain is really bad, you could ask your doctor about Toradol. It's strong like an opiate, but it's an NSAID like Motrin, so it won't make you loopy.

Pain is not really bad all the time. It seems worse during the night and especially after activity like shower or brushing hair. I've been getting by with extra strength tylenol but I really need something a little stronger for the times when it's worse. Thanks for the suggestion and I'll mention it to the Dr.

 

[AgilityDog]

Sevgi,
I hate hydrocodone/oxycontin/lortab too. In fact, I've added it to my "allergy" list of drugs. It makes me stupid for days after just one dose.

Ask your doctor for Darvocet or percocet, or the toradol. I wound up taking just a half dose of darvocet for a week or two, especially at night, or when I'd wake up in the middle of the night. Your doctor can call it in. You need something so you can rest. Pain interferes with healing and rest.

 

[ARGreenMN]

Glad you're doing well Sevgi! Keep up the good work!

 

[hook]

I had my mitral valve repaired with min. invasive surgery. Talk about PAIN! One of the docs told me the incision we had hurts worse than a sternotomy, because they go through three different layers of muscle--but it heals faster. When I first got home I hurt all the time, but about 1.5-2 weeks post-op, I just suddenly felt better! Don't worry, you'll feel better, too.

Marcia

If I ever eat ribs again, cutting through them and ripping them apart will have new meaning.

Healing from this stuff is a series of humps and valleys, but it all leads up hill. Getting tired is your bodies way of telling you to stop and sit down and rest. For the first three weeks, I crashed every day about 3pm for a nap wheather I wanted to or not; my brain just shut down.

My best advice to anyone getting surgery, especially this one, is to buy a big ole fluffy Lazyboy. I slept and napped in my recliner for the first four weeks. It is the closest thing to a hospital bed you will get, and it will save your lower back. Even if you use it just for the surgery and then sell it; it is worth every penney. My mom has had two hip replacements and sleeps in her recliner every night of her life.

 

[Sevgi]

2 weeks post op today. I have improved a lot as far as pain. Now it's mostly really sore instead of the throbbing pain I had before. Steri-strips still haven't fell off. I'm using 1 regular strength Tylenol 3 or 4 times a day now. I'm able to do most of the things I want without any problem. Our a/c on the lower level isn't working right so it's warm downstairs where I normally walk for exercise so I'm staying upstairs until the repairman fixes the a/c today. Going to shower and wash hair now and I'm looking forward to wednesday when I can finally drive my new car to the beauty shop to have my hair done. While I'm not fully recovered, at least now I feel like I'm making gain and I'm going to get better than before.

 

[Marcia58]

Glad to hear you've turned that corner, Sevgi! (You know, you're NOT the only Sevgi I know!)

 

[Sevgi]

Glad to hear you've turned that corner, Sevgi! (You know, you're NOT the only Sevgi I know!)

Sevgi is actually my male cat's name. He's a himalayan so I looked for a turkish name and Sevgi translated is "Love". My real name is Vicky but I use Sevgi for all on-line activity.

 

[Greg a]

Vicky, great to hear you are over THOSE bumps in the road

 

[Jkm7]

2 weeks post op today. I have improved a lot as far as pain. Now it's mostly really sore instead of the throbbing pain I had before. Steri-strips still haven't fell off. I'm using 1 regular strength Tylenol 3 or 4 times a day now. I'm able to do most of the things I want without any problem. Our a/c on the lower level isn't working right so it's warm downstairs where I normally walk for exercise so I'm staying upstairs until the repairman fixes the a/c today. Going to shower and wash hair now and I'm looking forward to wednesday when I can finally drive my new car to the beauty shop to have my hair done. While I'm not fully recovered, at least now I feel like I'm making gain and I'm going to get better than before.

Sevgi,
Both my surgeries, I was instructed if the steri strips did not fall off within ten days I was to gently remove them in the shower. They said infection could fester beneath them if left too long. First time they came off on their own. Phew!!!!

Second surgery, only the bottom half came off so I gridded myself and gently began peeling and they came off lickity split. Was not sore at all and was a relief to know they couldn't cause infection. Besides, at that point, I was eager to actually see how the incision was healing.

You might wish to call your surgeon's office and ask if they want for them to be removed.

Best Wishes. Sounds like you're coming along well.

 

[Sevgi]

I removed the steri-strips since it's been over 2 weeks since my surgery. The incisions for tubes look completely healed but they itch a lot. I grit my teeth and breathe through the itching. Thrush in my mouth is almost well now and I'm starting to taste food correctly. My stomach is still not back to normal but it's getting there.
I drove my new car for the first time yesterday since Dr said I could drive now. I know why they tell you to wait. I didn't hurt myself but turning the steering wheel to move out of a parking space was not as easy as before since I'm still sore. My niece and I walked slowly around the mall looking at shirts for me and stuff for her new apartment. I was really tired when we got home but so glad that I got out of the house.

 

[sweetbanker]

Glad your feeling better . Good luck with the new car . New car smell yum lol.

 

[Luckyguy17]

Vicki, Wow am suprised you are driving only 2 weeks post op, i was told to wait 4 weeks and was itching to get driving at about 30 days...would have been tough to do so beforehand because of seatbelt discomfort.

enjoy the new car, but do be careful, of sudden movements and you most assuredly do not want airbag activation at this time, so easy does it in driving.

Gil

 

[Luana]

It's ok to drive at 2 weeks when you haven't had a sternotomy. There's only a handful of us here who've had the small thoracotomy. You get to drive sooner, and, at least for me, I had no problem getting out of bed and had no need for a recliner.

 

[Luckyguy17]

Am somewhat surprised about driving while still in pain, what if you need to make that sudden movement, which driving may bring on?

General stats i received, were that it took about 30 days for flesh healing alone from all of the internal cuts and stitches and with my bone cement, flesh healing was about all i had to deal with in terms of discomfort.

I did not enjoy my surgery enough to risk having another go within weeks of the surgery, so followed the prescribed 4 weeks of no driving and am happy i did.

God forbid a sneeze in those 1st few weeks with the hands on the steering wheel, talk about seeing stars at a most inappropriate time, or do you minimally invasive folks have no pain forom sneezing and coughing?

be safe

Gil

 

[Luana]

Gil,
I had a pretty bad cough after surgery, and no, it didn't hurt to cough. Didn't hurt to laugh or sneeze. I really did not have much in the way of pain at all. I never had a problem getting out of bed, and there's no need for a recliner. My first night at home I went to turn over to my right side in my sleep, and it was soreness from the chest tube wound that stopped me, not the incision.

I really think the mini-thoracotomy is the greatest thing since Rice Krispies, but most people here tend to pooh-pooh it.

 

[Sevgi]

Gil,
I had a pretty bad cough after surgery, and no, it didn't hurt to cough. Didn't hurt to laugh or sneeze. I really did not have much in the way of pain at all. I never had a problem getting out of bed, and there's no need for a recliner. My first night at home I went to turn over to my right side in my sleep, and it was soreness from the chest tube wound that stopped me, not the incision.

I really think the mini-thoracotomy is the greatest thing since Rice Krispies, but most people here tend to pooh-pooh it.

I agree with you Luana. The minimally invasive surgery for valve replacement is the best way to go if it's an option for you. I only have a 3 1/2 inch incision on the right side of my chest near the top of my breast and 3 small incision where chest tubes were. There was no bone cut during my surgery. While I've never had a sternotomy, I know from my research before my surgery, the minimally invasive surgery heals faster. I have followed my Doctors orders to the letter as I don't want to repeat this. Driving after 10 days was listed on discharge papers. It says I can go back to work in 4-6 weeks at Cardiologists discretion. I didn't have a cough after surgery but regularly used my spirometer. I sneezed for the first time a couple of days ago and it was a little painful because I'm still a little sore around my ribcage on the right side.
While I'm not healed, I am feeling like I'm well on my way to full recovery. I walked around the mall for an hour yesterday at a slow pace. It felt good to be out among people again even if it was for a short time.

 

[Sevgi]

I'm back at work full time. I have a desk job that is normally stressful. Since I'm unable to access our computer database, I can't work yet so I decided to check in here. I have to say that I'm not happy that I had to go through OHS, but I'm so happy that I'm starting to feel better and I am very happy to be alive. I assume I will make a full recovery and for that I'm grateful for my doctors and what they have done for me. I believe happy days will come again.