Well, I have to say that the “truck that ran me over was bigger than expected”! We had a lot of support from a lot of people giving us tidbits of information around the challenge as they saw it with their loved ones. Thank you to everyone!
Wednesday the 4th started early at 4:30 a.m. and by 7:30 or so, I was out for the count. Waking up in ICU was no treat that is for sure - oxygen, tubes, lines in my arm, lines in my neck, no glasses so I couldn’t really see. By 6:30 a.m. on the 5th I was “awake”. An “A” team of nurses saw to it that I was ready for the cardiac wing of the hospital by about 9:00 a.m.
Once I was up on the cardiac wing it was clear I had a fight, a bigger fight that I expected, to come back to full strength - or so I thought. Again a set of great nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, my family, immediate and extended were unbelievable in their support of me!
I got out in 3 days! By Sunday the 8th, I was on my way home. It’s usually 5 to 7 days post operation on the ward. Whoo hoo!
Now a week later, I walk (three times a day outside), I get tired. My breathing is getting better - they deflate your lungs and there is a risk of pneumonia. Appetite is off and nothing really tastes great but, I eat (must get stronger). Sleep is getting better. I roll to get up to get onto the bed, or into a chair and swing my legs up - no pushing or pulling otherwise the bone in my chest won’t heal. And, my family is right by my side!
So, another 3 to 5 weeks and my chest should be healed. I can drive again. My 10 incisions and heart should be a long way toward being full healed!