Angel, Hi i am Michele 35 yo female. I had my surgery 18 days ago. And my experience was definately the wait was worse than the recovery.
Before my surgery i was i wreck, could not concentrate on the simplest of tasks.
So i went in may 10th 5 am for my surgery, i was not nervous something happened in the last 24-36 hours a strange acceptance/peace came over me (I thought for sure i would have tried to run away lol) They do the whole prep etc thing they gave me something to relax and the next thing i remember is waking for a moment in ICU still had breathing tube uncomfortable but not painful, what hurt was my neck and in between my shoulders, for a moment i thought they did wrong surgery. Then back to la la land till what i think was tuesday still had breathing tube, apparently one drain was losing a lot of blood and until it slowed down they wouldnt take out breathing tube. My hubby was there holding my hand, and since i couldnt talk i spelled things on his hand i told him i love you and my back hurts. Then sleepy time again LOL.
Next thing i remember getting breathing tube out, didnt hurt just uncomfortable some ivs out then moved to my own room and tues(30 hours after surgery) for lunch had jello and it was wonderful !! Had a visit with minister, a nap and by tuesday evening took a walk like 50 ft but it was wonderful !! Got cathter out yippppeee !!
Wednesday and thursday consisited of walk nap small meal repeat LOL oh and that blowy thing ugh i hated that !!
My pain level never went above 4 mostly it was 2.5 ( My husband had more pain with his kidney stones last year) My chest incision on my chest never hurt as it scabbed it itched like crazy and my muscles above my breast ached like when you over work muscles. And my back pain eased up wednesday.
Friday i was set to go home when my blood count dropped and i needed a bag of blood , before bag of blood felt like a rag doll hubby said even lips were white after they gave me the bag of blood he said i was chasing food cart down the hall LOL.
So went home saturday, got carsick on the way home cause i had to sit in back cause airbag in front (3hour trip)
All in all it was not the worse experience in my life some say it feels like they been hit by semi truck, I felt like i got hit by a husky guy on a mountain bike. The time in the hosp (after i got my private room) Was very good for hubby and i, he stayed by my side 24/7 the kids and parents came and left , so other than the occasional nurse , Dr. etc. It was almost like a 2nd honeymoon. LOL
So here i am 18 days Later, the hardest thing is feeling this good and not over doing it. I feel basically back to normally, a bit sore but no more then i would get shoveling snow.
I hope this helps ease your worries a bit, Life for me is definately better on this side of the mountain.
Bless you
Michele