Home from the Hospital, Tues, Sept 29, 2009

I apologize the the lack of posts, but my husband couldn't get his computer to jive with the wireless network at the hospital.

Day 1, Wednesday, Sept 23 - Surgery was 12 hours including the time it took to reconnect the chest nerves. A long day for everyone but me because I wasn't aware of time, of course. Spent the first night in the ICU so Doppler pulses could be monitored every hour. The anesthesiologist was a miracle worker because I had zero nausea - a first! I did need 2 units of blood to get my hemoglobin levels and blood pressure up into a more normal range.

Day 2 , Thurs, Sept 24 - Another day in the ICU. I slept fitfully because I was overheated. They had me wearing a "huggy bear" to keeps nerves dilated. It's a warm-air heated blanket that has to stay over the chest and abdomen. That, plus the leg compression things that I had to wear, made for very hot conditions. Got to start on a liquid diet. I had a morphine pump for pain. I have 4 drains - 2 in breast and 2 at either end of abdominal incision.

Day 3, Fri, Sept 25 - Another day in ICU still waiting for a regular floor bed. Finally able to eat solid food. Still monitoring Doppler readings every hour and sleeping under "the blanket from hell"! They finally turned the temp down a bit which made it a little more bearable. All my ICU nurses were absolutely top-notch! I was surprised that no bandaging was required from either breast or abdominal areas. Got a sponge bath and quasi-hair shampoo from my nurse - yea! My catheter was removed in anticipating of going to a regular floor. Finally moved to a regular floor bed around 10 pm. My hubby was able to spend the night for the first time.

Day 4, Sat, Sept 26 - My sister came for the day to stay with me and give my husband a chance to rest at home for a few hours. Pain pump is gone now, but getting IV morphine and antibiotics on a regular basis. Doppler checks moved to every 2 hours. Nurses had me up out of bed in a chair for the first time. I had some pretty bad problems with constipation, so for any of you considering this surgery, be attuned so things don't get out of hand.

Day 5, Sun, Sept 27 - Started on oral pain meds. Nausea totally controlled with Compazine. Got out of bed and shown how to use a walker so I wouldn't stand up too straight. Respiratory therapy was very attentive to breathing exercises. I started joking with him that he was the "respiratory nazi"! It was good, though. No signs of pneumonia from being down so long. Will go home tomorrow if all continues to go well.

Day 6, Mon, Sept 28 - Home at last! Compazine helped me not barf on the drive home - a first! Still have 4 drains. I have an office visit on Friday where I hope the 2 breast drains will come out. They are barely producing anything. I'm taking Compazine and Lortab for pain and Keflex as an antibiotic. I really needed a bigger, wider nightgown to sleep in to accommodate the drains, so my wonderful husband went to Walmart at 9 pm during a football game to buy dusters for me. Wish I could have been a fly on the wall! The dusters plus the walker really completes the picture. Better to laugh than cry. I've decided I'll burn the dusters when I'm through with them - ha! Slept in the recliner because there was no way I could manage our bed. I suspect that will be my sleeping spot for the next week or so.

Day 7, Tues, Sept 29 - Had a decent night in the recliner. I really feel pretty good, more positive than last surgery. I have very little pain. I'd call it more "discomfort" than pain. No real pain in the breast, just abdomen. I'm moving very slowly so that's hard for me. I look around and see lots of things I'd like to be doing, but can't. Trying not to let that get to me too much. I'm trying to get used to wearing my contacts again after a week without. Otherwise, I'd be reading more. I'm bored and the hours seems to go by slowly, but I remember that all too well from last surgery. It does pass.