I don't really know where to begin so let me bring you up to date. I wrote last from the hospital but I have been home since Day 6 (Sunday, 27 Sep) and my experience seems to be different from everyone else with whom I have talked.
On Day 1, surgery began at 07:30 and lasted about 3 hours. The rest of Day 1 & Day 2 was spent in the ICU because just prior to surgery the last blood test showed my kidney function to be failing. My surgeon determined it was being caused by simple lack of blood flow so I got to spend an extra day in the ICU while they monitored renal function. I finally left the ICU around Midnight of Day 2.
I woke on Day 3 feeling good and ready for my first breakfast. I was leery of the coffee they served so I stuck with the juice but everything tasted great. I spent the day mostly sleeping, eating, and in 4 short walks managed 1200 Feet. Pain medication during the day was welcome and I did use the Bear getting in and out of bed and when I coughed.
Wonder of wonders! I had tea for the first time on Day 04 and it didn't send me into those debilitating palpitations. My friend, Mike, brought me some English Breakfast and it tasted great. My last pain medication was at Noon on Day 4. That was also the last time I needed to use the bear for anything else but photos. I still looked like "Puffy the Blowfish" until by evening I finally began to shed the 18 lbs of fluid I had acquired. I walked four times for a total of 1800 feet. Perhaps the highlight of the day was a visit from my Cardiologist who was a little sad when he listened to my heart and confirmed that all the exciting noises were gone. I reminded him that he did have recordings but he said they just were not quite the same.
On Saturday, Day 5, I watched the sun come up and went for a walk before breakfast all of which I ate but it really wasn't very good. I was able to walk easily and managed half a mile inside the hospital but of course in 5 separate walks because I still was very weak. Getting in and out of bed was no problem at all since there was no chest pain and I began to focus on just how awful the food was in the hospital. By evening, my weight was down 12 lbs and I finally had the long anticipated bowel movement. My Sister-in-law came for a visit and was surprised to find me up and about instead of in bed.
Day 6, Sunday brought another beautiful sunrise and the worst breakfast yet so I ate my apple and orange with a biscuit & jam and a cup of Earl Grey. Home! My surgeon told me I wasting bed space and that I should go home and walk more. I thought I would be out by Noon but that didn't happen. There was a minor flail when they could not find my key. It seems that when your sternum is closed with Talons you cannot leave the hospital without the key that can open them in case of an emergency. My key was finally located and I left the hospital around 5:00 pm. I was quite tuckered out by the time I got home and after a wonderful supper of soup, salad and lovely whole grain bread I crashed and slept better than in many months.
It is now the morning of Day 10. My last drain hole dried up yesterday and only one small spot of the incision is still weeping a little. I continue to get tired easily and like everyone else have no stamina yet but I have had no pain at all since coming home. I keep puffing on my spirometer and have managed to get back to 2500. I think I will finally be back to 3000 by this weekend and can stop using it.
Walking at home has been very fine since we have had great weather and everything is green. I have been holding the distance to half a mile. At first, I needed a nap after walking but I now only need to sit down for a while. I find that I can do little things such as load the dish washer and fold clothes. I had worried about being able to feed my animals but that has presented no problem. I also worried about being able to sleep in my water bed but I have had no difficulty at all. My brother gave me a recliner and it is really nice for reading but I have not actually slept in it.
So, at 10 days I have to say that the Talons Dr Spann used to close my chest have been an enormous success. I have not even for a moment had any sense of movement in my sternum and have been using nothing but over the counter Ibuprofen for the aches in my chest as the skin and muscle heals. Last night my friends and I went out for catfish and it really began to feel as though my life is returning to normal which seems the whole point of all of this.
On Day 1, surgery began at 07:30 and lasted about 3 hours. The rest of Day 1 & Day 2 was spent in the ICU because just prior to surgery the last blood test showed my kidney function to be failing. My surgeon determined it was being caused by simple lack of blood flow so I got to spend an extra day in the ICU while they monitored renal function. I finally left the ICU around Midnight of Day 2.
I woke on Day 3 feeling good and ready for my first breakfast. I was leery of the coffee they served so I stuck with the juice but everything tasted great. I spent the day mostly sleeping, eating, and in 4 short walks managed 1200 Feet. Pain medication during the day was welcome and I did use the Bear getting in and out of bed and when I coughed.
Wonder of wonders! I had tea for the first time on Day 04 and it didn't send me into those debilitating palpitations. My friend, Mike, brought me some English Breakfast and it tasted great. My last pain medication was at Noon on Day 4. That was also the last time I needed to use the bear for anything else but photos. I still looked like "Puffy the Blowfish" until by evening I finally began to shed the 18 lbs of fluid I had acquired. I walked four times for a total of 1800 feet. Perhaps the highlight of the day was a visit from my Cardiologist who was a little sad when he listened to my heart and confirmed that all the exciting noises were gone. I reminded him that he did have recordings but he said they just were not quite the same.
On Saturday, Day 5, I watched the sun come up and went for a walk before breakfast all of which I ate but it really wasn't very good. I was able to walk easily and managed half a mile inside the hospital but of course in 5 separate walks because I still was very weak. Getting in and out of bed was no problem at all since there was no chest pain and I began to focus on just how awful the food was in the hospital. By evening, my weight was down 12 lbs and I finally had the long anticipated bowel movement. My Sister-in-law came for a visit and was surprised to find me up and about instead of in bed.
Day 6, Sunday brought another beautiful sunrise and the worst breakfast yet so I ate my apple and orange with a biscuit & jam and a cup of Earl Grey. Home! My surgeon told me I wasting bed space and that I should go home and walk more. I thought I would be out by Noon but that didn't happen. There was a minor flail when they could not find my key. It seems that when your sternum is closed with Talons you cannot leave the hospital without the key that can open them in case of an emergency. My key was finally located and I left the hospital around 5:00 pm. I was quite tuckered out by the time I got home and after a wonderful supper of soup, salad and lovely whole grain bread I crashed and slept better than in many months.
It is now the morning of Day 10. My last drain hole dried up yesterday and only one small spot of the incision is still weeping a little. I continue to get tired easily and like everyone else have no stamina yet but I have had no pain at all since coming home. I keep puffing on my spirometer and have managed to get back to 2500. I think I will finally be back to 3000 by this weekend and can stop using it.
Walking at home has been very fine since we have had great weather and everything is green. I have been holding the distance to half a mile. At first, I needed a nap after walking but I now only need to sit down for a while. I find that I can do little things such as load the dish washer and fold clothes. I had worried about being able to feed my animals but that has presented no problem. I also worried about being able to sleep in my water bed but I have had no difficulty at all. My brother gave me a recliner and it is really nice for reading but I have not actually slept in it.
So, at 10 days I have to say that the Talons Dr Spann used to close my chest have been an enormous success. I have not even for a moment had any sense of movement in my sternum and have been using nothing but over the counter Ibuprofen for the aches in my chest as the skin and muscle heals. Last night my friends and I went out for catfish and it really began to feel as though my life is returning to normal which seems the whole point of all of this.
