Apparently I heal faster than expected. I was released from the hospital on Friday, July 20, after a 4 day stay. I got off the lines (morphine, antibiotics, Ringer's, and catheter) after 2 days, then was fitted with a more comfortable cast on the 20th. Of course I had 3 drain lines in me - one in my arm, two in my side for the back incision - as well as a plethora of pills, everything from antibiotics to pain meds to laxatives. I was still wearing a hospital gown, but at least a shred of my dignity returned as I donned short pants for the first time since the operation! I'll post pictures later as my brother emails them to me.
I've been resting and recovering at my Mom's place, a very comfortable abode. Lots of family and friends come to visit, and my drains are cared for expertly by a variety of nurses, siblings, and friends from my Mom's condo. They've made trips to my favorite markets to buy me vegetarian fare (I've been especially feasting on lots of salad and fruit and soy protein), and one friend (Paula G) made me special meals - ratatouille inspired by the movie of the same name, and tofu & eggplant curry over green rice. I could get too used to this type of treatment!
It's been two weeks now since the surgery. Last week two of the three drainage tubes were removed, and my cast was redone to give me a better fit. This week (tomorrow) most likely the last drainage tube will come out. I've also been given clearance to go to Cape May this August, so I won't miss the family trip after all! I can do a fair number of things - bathing, dressing, feeding, and the like -so I'll see what mischief I can get into in NJ's Victorian vacation mecca. I will have my camera and tripod, so maybe I can still capture the nieces and nephew at their best on the beach.
All told, the doctors were right when they said I'd feel like a human being in two weeks. I was able to go to my house yesterday, to prepare for Cape May, and spend 3+ hours packing camera gear, setting up the laptop for photography (adding Photoshop and such), getting clothes and my beach chair, and other assorted sundries (like which bottle of wine to take). We'll see how much faster mending occurs at the Jersey shore. Until then, enjoy the heat of August and pray for rain for the crops.
Showing posts with label recovery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recovery. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Under the Arm, Over the Shoulder
Hello again!
A week and a half after the surgery, I'm hale enough to resume the blog. All went exceedingly well with the surgery, which took 7 hours (7:30 - 2:30). I had to wait in recovery for 4 hours while they got my room ready, largely because I did better than expected. They had booked me into the ICU right after surgery, thinking that if they needed to do nerve transplants or skin grafts I'd need closer attention, but I didn't need either. My oncologist said the tumor was about the size of a Nerf football, but it came out fairly easily. Apparently the radical resection (pedicle flap) fit perfectly into the space left from the tumor removal. Per my "plastics" (the term for the plastic and reconstructive surgeons), all looks really good. They've got me in a cast and don't want me to do anything with the transferred muscle for 2 weeks.
But I am remiss! My brother took some shots both pre- and post-op, that I'd like to share. None of the gruesome shots with blood and sutures, though I have them. More of the little things that document the process of overcoming and healing.
The fabled "Big Arm", on the last night of its existence
Post-op with morphine pump - notice the smile!
Day 2 post-op having lunch sitting in chair - still "wired in"
Day 2 post-op, back from a stroll with Mom - nice booties & hose, eh?
I reached my room and was placed on my right side, the same position I'd been in for the surgery and in the recovery room for 11 straight hours. As you might have guessed, the TV was over my left shoulder, so I didn't watch any TV from bed. Besides my morphine pump I had IV antibiotics and Ringer's solution, and I had 3 drainage tubes, 2 in my back and one in my arm, courtesy of the surgery. They'd made me don support hose pre-op to ward off blood clots, plus the booties so that I didn't slip. Then they placed air-driven cuffs around my calves, to massage them and keep blood clots from forming. I was also catheterized, so going to the bathroom was "automatic". All in all, it had been a very good day.
I must say that my family's and friends support during the hospital stay was extraordinary. I never lacked for company and companionship and encouragement during the four days I was there. They are an incredible source of inspiration and gratitude for me, and I thank them with all my heart for their unwavering outpouring of love and care. Also, the nursing and clinical assistant staff at the Weinberg Center were spectacular, combining competence and caring with an attitude of really wanting to get to know me as a person while I was under their care. They have left me with a strong impression of just how much difference an uplifting demeanor can facilitate recovery.
A week and a half after the surgery, I'm hale enough to resume the blog. All went exceedingly well with the surgery, which took 7 hours (7:30 - 2:30). I had to wait in recovery for 4 hours while they got my room ready, largely because I did better than expected. They had booked me into the ICU right after surgery, thinking that if they needed to do nerve transplants or skin grafts I'd need closer attention, but I didn't need either. My oncologist said the tumor was about the size of a Nerf football, but it came out fairly easily. Apparently the radical resection (pedicle flap) fit perfectly into the space left from the tumor removal. Per my "plastics" (the term for the plastic and reconstructive surgeons), all looks really good. They've got me in a cast and don't want me to do anything with the transferred muscle for 2 weeks.
But I am remiss! My brother took some shots both pre- and post-op, that I'd like to share. None of the gruesome shots with blood and sutures, though I have them. More of the little things that document the process of overcoming and healing.
The fabled "Big Arm", on the last night of its existence
Post-op with morphine pump - notice the smile!
Day 2 post-op having lunch sitting in chair - still "wired in"
Day 2 post-op, back from a stroll with Mom - nice booties & hose, eh?
I reached my room and was placed on my right side, the same position I'd been in for the surgery and in the recovery room for 11 straight hours. As you might have guessed, the TV was over my left shoulder, so I didn't watch any TV from bed. Besides my morphine pump I had IV antibiotics and Ringer's solution, and I had 3 drainage tubes, 2 in my back and one in my arm, courtesy of the surgery. They'd made me don support hose pre-op to ward off blood clots, plus the booties so that I didn't slip. Then they placed air-driven cuffs around my calves, to massage them and keep blood clots from forming. I was also catheterized, so going to the bathroom was "automatic". All in all, it had been a very good day.
I must say that my family's and friends support during the hospital stay was extraordinary. I never lacked for company and companionship and encouragement during the four days I was there. They are an incredible source of inspiration and gratitude for me, and I thank them with all my heart for their unwavering outpouring of love and care. Also, the nursing and clinical assistant staff at the Weinberg Center were spectacular, combining competence and caring with an attitude of really wanting to get to know me as a person while I was under their care. They have left me with a strong impression of just how much difference an uplifting demeanor can facilitate recovery.
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