Surgery date!
- Thread starter mrfox
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Warrick
Well-known member
Yep 10 out of 10 on the weird new experiences scale for sure
pellicle
Professional Dingbat, Guru and Merkintologist
mrfox;n884198 said:
yep, I'm backing Warwick on that one ... I guess that its one of those things in life that
1) does make you stronger
2) very few get to experience and you just can't explain it to anyone who hasn't had it happen.
glad you've got the right approach to it all
Superman
Well-known member
mrfox;n884198 said:
Welcome to the zipper club! Did you get the, “Okay, on three. One, two, *yank*!” Treatment?
Nice to see you on forum so soon after surgery - welcome to the other side !mrfox;n884206 said:
I feel for you with the pain getting worse now - I wonder if they have changed your pain meds ? I remember when I was in ICU with drains and everything that I had no pain and felt very well, but when I was moved to high dependency the pain got bad. They had taken me off what was probably morphine and put me on tramadol and dihydrocodeine which didn't work for me. If I'd known then what I know now I'd have asked for a different pain med - might be an option for you or ask for a higher dose - these hospitals pride themselves of giving good pain relief.
The weather is hot. The Royal Brompton doesn't have air con so I imagine the Harefield, its sister hospital might be the same. Do you have a fan in your room ?
libra rising
Well-known member
Did you have a sternotomy or a thoracotomy (as I did) ? I gather the former can be much more painful. How our experiences differ. My chest drains stayed in for at least a week. Also I never remember any real pain from the surgery.
I hope they get your pain control right.
Geoff
I hope they get your pain control right.
Geoff
Yes I ended up having the full sternotomy as my surgeon was worried about access, hence the chest pain. They're telling me I'll be back on a standard ward tomorrow some time. All drainage gone now except for one line for medicine in my neck. I think they pulled all that stuff off quite fast as everything had been uncomplicated (so far!!!)
Delighted to hear of your fast progress, Mr Fox! Amazed how quickly they are taking out the tubes etc. Take it steady, and have ear plugs ready for the general ward!
pellicle
Professional Dingbat, Guru and Merkintologist
mrfox;n884208 said:
do you have the little 3 balls thing that you have to exersize with on breathing? If yest then totally do that ... daily. Sit straight too.
If it gives you much comfort the "mini sternotomy" vs regular on pain revealed they're about the same
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022522308013081
something to read if nothing else ;-)
do your breathing exersizes
don't cough
Best Wishes
No incentive spirometers! I asked! Waking up is hardest - first time getting a good sleep is also longest time without pain relief. I am learning ben things about my ability to tolerate discomfort and what is important. I'm very lucky to be surrounded by good friends when they can visit.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/q964QXKu1PMdZXNUA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/q964QXKu1PMdZXNUA
pellicle
Professional Dingbat, Guru and Merkintologist
mrfox;n884224 said:
Drum roll ... rimshot
We don't seem to be given incentive spirometers here in the UK. I don't know why (my respiratory consultant even wrote in his pre-surgery report that I should have something like that but I wasn't given one) We get physiotherapists (not nearly as nice as some nurses) giving us breathing exercises to do instead.mrfox;n884223 said:
Agian
Well-known member
I'm assuming you're the guy with the plastic thingy in your nose.mrfox;n884223 said:
You look very well post op. You should have seen me
carolinemc
Well-known member
mrfox, hope you are home now and feeling a bit better. So sorry you have had a rough time. So proud you are so proactive. Keep it up. It will get better.
