One week since surgery

Wow, I can't believe that it's been a whole week since I went in for my heart valve replacement. This time last week, I was lying in the ICU in a crazy morphine induced state. This week has been one of the most difficult weeks of my life. And to think, I will have to do it all over again in ten years. Sigh.

I don't remember much about the day of my surgery. I had to spend the night before my surgery in the hospital because my surgery was so rushed and I couldn't do the pre-admission necessisities (blood work, body scrubs, etc.). I remember waking up early, around 5am, to the nurse talking to me. I couldn't hear her because I was wearing earplugs, so, after pulling them out, I went and got prepped for surgery. Little did I know, that would be the last good sleep I would have for a while ...

I hung out with my mom and Julien until 7am, when I was wheeled into the OR waiting room.

I waited in the OR waiting room for about 45 minutes. After going into the OR, I had a little look around (it's pretty space-tech looking in there), before konking out. I didn't even know that the anesthesiologist had put anything into my IV.

The next thing I remember is waking up to my mom, dad, and Julien, who were all being way nicer than they usually are. Not that they aren't super nice, but they were even cheesier than they normally are. But it was still great to see them. It's nice when the first thing you see after surgery is your family. I didn't think it would mean as much to me as it did. Other than seeing my fam, I don't remember any of the other information that I was given. I don't remember waking up, fighting against the breathing tube, having the tube taken out, and all of that other fun stuff. I justg remember waking up every hour or so for the next 20 hours after having crazy dreams. Then, when I would wake up, I would be surprised that I'd ever had the surgery. I'd wake up thinking "oh shit, I have to go into surgery today!" before realizing then it was already over.

I was out of the ICU after 24 hours. The day after surgery is when they start counting the days post op. So, the day after surgery is considered Day 1. (The surgery day is Day Zero).

Day 1 was pretty wonderful. The worst part was when I had to have the chest tubes taken out, but they gave me so many drugs, I don't even remember it happening. I had breakfast in the ICU. I ate it all. It was actually pretty good. I was surprised at how good the food tasted, actually. Then I was moved to the cardiac ward. Day 1 is all about controlling pain. So, if I started to have pain, I would just say "more morphine!" and they'd give it to me. Man, at this point, I thought recovery would be a breeze!!!

Day 2 was the worst day that I've had yet during recovery. On Day 2 I had to come off of the morphine. I was so nauseous all day and couldn't keep any food down. Anybody who knows me knows that I have a very low pain tolerance. Well, I also have a very low sick tolerance. If I ever get pregnant, I don't know how I will handle morning sickness, let alone delivery. So yeah, Day 2 was spent mostly trying to not die.

Day 3 was much better than Day 2. I was completely off of the morphine, which was substituted with oxycodone, and was walking around the ward. On Day 3 I had my urine tubes removed, as well. I hated that thing. Talk about uncomfortable!!! So I was the most free that I had been yet. I had my first little physio class (at which I was the youngest, by far) and was in overall good spirits. I was in even better spirits when, at around 4pm, my doctor told me that I would be able to go home ... that night! I was so surprised, especially since the day before had been so terrible for me (and that most of the other people ended up staying five more more days after surgery).

So, on Saturday night, at the end of Day 3, I came home! Julien and my good friend Elise helped me get settled at home. That first night at home was very difficult. Neither Julien or I got very much sleep, since I had to try each bed/chair/sofa in the apartment, like, twenty times--for real. And then, after 30 minutes of sleep, I would wake up calling Julien's name because I needed to be moved again. I am happy to say, for both myself and Julien, that each night is getting better. I had originally planned that I would sleep in the recliner, since it was the best place for me after my angiogram, but the recliner hasn't been working out too well for me. I can't sleep in a bed yet, either. So, the best bed for me has been my sofa! Last night I slept for five hours straight before having to get up and re-adjust. And wonderful Julien was able to sleep through the whole night for the first time since I came home without being interrupted!

Hmm, what else is there to say? There isn't too much that I can do on my own. I can walk very slowly and I got up a few flights of stairs for exercise. Today I went to a park and walked a little there. I feel completely useless when Julien is seeing to me and I'm not really able to help. But, as people having been telling me, I should enjoy the care while it lasts :P.

Anyways, I'm now going to go watch a movie with ma man!