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The pain is turning out to be much better this time. I have a new bear, Sir Koff-A-Lot II. I am finding this go-around that it is not always necessary to grab for him to cough. Last time I had to squeeze him hard to even make it bearable. (again, no pun intended) Maybe this is the result of a good epidural, which is still in. But I do remember having much more pain last time. They say pain varies wildly and unpredictably when it comes to through-the-rib surgery. I'm thinking I may be having less severe nerve irritation than last time.
I am having one "common" problem - some air leakage from my lung into the chest cavity. Little bubbles that escape the lung into the cavity and out the drainage tube. Dr. Hofstetter says that will take an extra day or two to heal. Otherwise, the recovery as far as drainage volume is going better. In all, we're looking at probable departure time of Tuesday, or possibly Wednesday.
I am pushing (and being pushed) to walk many times a day and do the breathing and coughing exercises. I was told once by a nurse to treat surgery recovery in the hospital as work, not rest. You rest when you get home. That way of thinking has helped.
My lung and lunch capactiy are increasing.
Posted by Greg at March 25, 2007 04:39 PM | Comments (6)