BP 116/79 Pulse 92
Weight 214.5 lbs
Saw Dr. Oswalt yesterday. He cleared me for driving (woo hoo!). He kept me on restricted lifting but gave me a schedule for increasing weight. I am trying to take my pain meds only when needed. That has translated into waiting longer between doses. I think I have built a little tolerance for the pain. A 3-4 is annoying. A 5 is tolerable. A 6 makes me start thinking about taking something. Hopefully, I will soon be taking only the occassional ibuprofen for pain.
I am hoping to start easing into work at the office late this week or next. I have been working from home (emails, phone meetings, etc) but because I have not been cleared to drive, I have been unable to be in the office. The doctor didn't specificly clear me for return to work but, as long as I avoid lifting and such, it should be fine.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab when needed for pain
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
7-28-09 update
BP 112/74 Pulse 88
Weight 215.4 lbs
The incision is healing nicely. I just have a bit of a teardrop at the bottom of the incision that hasn't fully healed yet. The breastbone is still an source of much discomfort. Laughing, sneezing, coughing and hiccuping make me hurt. I slept through a dose today by about 3 hours and woke with a very heavy chest and quite a bit of pain when I got out of bed. It was not earth shattering pain but it hurt. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was probably a 5. Not bad compared to a month ago.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs
Once again, the extreme outside heat kept me indoors yesterday. I did not get out for a walk. Today I see Dr. Oswalt. Hopefully, he will clear me to drive and return at least part of my regular activities.
Have a great day.
Weight 215.4 lbs
The incision is healing nicely. I just have a bit of a teardrop at the bottom of the incision that hasn't fully healed yet. The breastbone is still an source of much discomfort. Laughing, sneezing, coughing and hiccuping make me hurt. I slept through a dose today by about 3 hours and woke with a very heavy chest and quite a bit of pain when I got out of bed. It was not earth shattering pain but it hurt. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was probably a 5. Not bad compared to a month ago.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs
Once again, the extreme outside heat kept me indoors yesterday. I did not get out for a walk. Today I see Dr. Oswalt. Hopefully, he will clear me to drive and return at least part of my regular activities.
Have a great day.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
7-26-09 update
No update yesterday. I went for a long walk instead.
BP 107/72 Pulse 89
Weight 213.8 lbs
The incision is healing nicely. I just have a bit of a teardrop at the bottom of the incision that hasn't fully healed yet. The breastbone is still an source of much discomfort. Laughing, sneezing, coughing, -- all of them make me hurt pretty severely. I stopped taking ibuprofen. Unfortunately, that means my arthritis in my hands has returned a little but that's okay. It's not like it is a new thing. I've had trouble with my thumbs for a while.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs discontinued
I took a long walk yesterday and did not need to breathe through my mouth at all. That's a big thing for me. I didn't realize I had such a problem because it has been the same my entire life. I think back to the first time I got glasses. I remember that I was amazed by all the detail of the leaves on the trees. I had no idea that you were supposed to be able to see all that. I also had no idea that you are supposed to be able to exert yourself without your lungs burning. I thought everyone got short of breath and the really good athletes were just able to work through it. I never thought to complain about it to a doctor.
My body didn't come with a manual or maybe it was misplaced at the hospital. All I got was a piece of paper that some baby stepped on. They didn't even given me a clean one. What a gip.
BP 107/72 Pulse 89
Weight 213.8 lbs
The incision is healing nicely. I just have a bit of a teardrop at the bottom of the incision that hasn't fully healed yet. The breastbone is still an source of much discomfort. Laughing, sneezing, coughing, -- all of them make me hurt pretty severely. I stopped taking ibuprofen. Unfortunately, that means my arthritis in my hands has returned a little but that's okay. It's not like it is a new thing. I've had trouble with my thumbs for a while.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs discontinued
I took a long walk yesterday and did not need to breathe through my mouth at all. That's a big thing for me. I didn't realize I had such a problem because it has been the same my entire life. I think back to the first time I got glasses. I remember that I was amazed by all the detail of the leaves on the trees. I had no idea that you were supposed to be able to see all that. I also had no idea that you are supposed to be able to exert yourself without your lungs burning. I thought everyone got short of breath and the really good athletes were just able to work through it. I never thought to complain about it to a doctor.
My body didn't come with a manual or maybe it was misplaced at the hospital. All I got was a piece of paper that some baby stepped on. They didn't even given me a clean one. What a gip.
Friday, July 24, 2009
7-24-09 morning update
BP 109/67 Pulse 95
Weight 213.0 lbs
The incision seems fine. The bottom 1/2 inch of the incision still has a scab. The rest of the incision is scab free although there will be a doozy of a scar.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs except when experiencing increased pain
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs discontinued - last dose 7-23 at 9 am - I am concerned about taking Ibuprophen over such an extended period. I am waiting for clarification from the doctor's office.
Painwise, there is still some, especially when I sleep through a dose or forget a dose. I guess the fact that I can sleep through a dose or lose track of time and take one late is a sign that my pain is getting better. My neck has started bothering me but I think that has more to do with sleeping on my back (haven't done that for years) than the surgery itself.
I see Dr. Oswalt on Tuesday (7-26). I hope he clears me for driving. I've also got to get back to full work sometime.
Weight 213.0 lbs
The incision seems fine. The bottom 1/2 inch of the incision still has a scab. The rest of the incision is scab free although there will be a doozy of a scar.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs except when experiencing increased pain
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs discontinued - last dose 7-23 at 9 am - I am concerned about taking Ibuprophen over such an extended period. I am waiting for clarification from the doctor's office.
Painwise, there is still some, especially when I sleep through a dose or forget a dose. I guess the fact that I can sleep through a dose or lose track of time and take one late is a sign that my pain is getting better. My neck has started bothering me but I think that has more to do with sleeping on my back (haven't done that for years) than the surgery itself.
I see Dr. Oswalt on Tuesday (7-26). I hope he clears me for driving. I've also got to get back to full work sometime.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
7-23-09 morning update
BP 113/68 Pulse 78
Weight 214.6 lbs
The incision is doing great. Under the incision is starting to inch a bit. I have read that this is normal. Bad thing about it -- you can't scratch under the skin! Putting pressure on it with my heart pillow helps.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs except when experiencing increased pain
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs
I was such a bum yesterday. I did housework stuff but I did not go for a walk. It wasn't incredibly hot yesterday but it did feel more humid. My weight is holding steady at around 214, which is still 5 lbs heavier than before my surgery and about 30 lbs more than I would like to weight. I can not workout with weights but I definitely need to get more walking in. I haven't been eating excessively. I just haven't been very active during my recovery.
Weight 214.6 lbs
The incision is doing great. Under the incision is starting to inch a bit. I have read that this is normal. Bad thing about it -- you can't scratch under the skin! Putting pressure on it with my heart pillow helps.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs except when experiencing increased pain
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs
I was such a bum yesterday. I did housework stuff but I did not go for a walk. It wasn't incredibly hot yesterday but it did feel more humid. My weight is holding steady at around 214, which is still 5 lbs heavier than before my surgery and about 30 lbs more than I would like to weight. I can not workout with weights but I definitely need to get more walking in. I haven't been eating excessively. I just haven't been very active during my recovery.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
7-22-09 morning update
BP 117/69 Pulse 83
Weight 214.4 lbs
The incision is healing fine. I still feel some pain and stiffness under the incision but it continues to improve. One strange thing I have noticed is that, in the morning, my incision almost seems vertically tight. It is as if I need to stretch it in order to be able to stand up straight.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs except when experiencing increased pain
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs
Yesterday was a good day. I experience very little break through pain. The pain meds are managing the discomfort just fine. I experimented with trying to skip a pain dose. I am still not ready for that. After about an hour, I can feel it especially if I sneeze or cough.
Walked for about 30-45 minutes yesterday. I am trying to get more active. I've been doing dishes, some laundry (in small batches), feeding the dogs and some light house cleaning. I have to be careful about over doing it. I don't want to undo any recovery I've accomplished so far.
Sleeping kicks serious butt. Waking up rested is such a new thing for me. I can't believe it. No grogginess, no grumpiness (well no more than my normal baseline grump) and no need to hit the coffee right away to wake up.
Have a great day.
Weight 214.4 lbs
The incision is healing fine. I still feel some pain and stiffness under the incision but it continues to improve. One strange thing I have noticed is that, in the morning, my incision almost seems vertically tight. It is as if I need to stretch it in order to be able to stand up straight.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs except when experiencing increased pain
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs
Yesterday was a good day. I experience very little break through pain. The pain meds are managing the discomfort just fine. I experimented with trying to skip a pain dose. I am still not ready for that. After about an hour, I can feel it especially if I sneeze or cough.
Walked for about 30-45 minutes yesterday. I am trying to get more active. I've been doing dishes, some laundry (in small batches), feeding the dogs and some light house cleaning. I have to be careful about over doing it. I don't want to undo any recovery I've accomplished so far.
Sleeping kicks serious butt. Waking up rested is such a new thing for me. I can't believe it. No grogginess, no grumpiness (well no more than my normal baseline grump) and no need to hit the coffee right away to wake up.
Have a great day.
Monday, July 20, 2009
7-20-09 morning update
BP 120/66 Pulse 83
Weight 214.5 lbs
The incision is healing fine. I still feel some pain and stiffness under the incision but it continues to improve. I can now get out of bed in the morning with a minimum of hassle. It's not easy yet but at least I don't wake Veronica with all of my groaning when I get out of bed.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs except when experiencing increased pain
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs
I went for a longish walk yesterday (45 mins) before the temperature got over 90. I probably overdid it but it felt good to walk for an extended period without my chest burning. Dr. Mingea said the burning was due to blood being forced back to the lungs through my mitral valve. Funny, I've experienced burning lungs upon exertion my entire life but I never thought anything of it. I even played tennis and swam competitively in my younger years. I thought that was just what happened when you breathed hard. It would usually start to subside after 15-20 minutes of activity (or maybe I just got used to it).
I walked for about 30 minutes today. I felt good. I really want to try running but I do not want to over-do it while I am healing. It's not like heart surgery fixed by knees and ankles anyway.
I see Dr. Oswalt on the 26th. Hopefully, he will lighten up on my restrictions so I can do more. I especially want to get clearance to drive.
Have a great day.
Weight 214.5 lbs
The incision is healing fine. I still feel some pain and stiffness under the incision but it continues to improve. I can now get out of bed in the morning with a minimum of hassle. It's not easy yet but at least I don't wake Veronica with all of my groaning when I get out of bed.
Taking medications for pain:
Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/325mg 1 tab every 4 hrs except when experiencing increased pain
Ibuprophen 200mg every 4-6 hrs
I went for a longish walk yesterday (45 mins) before the temperature got over 90. I probably overdid it but it felt good to walk for an extended period without my chest burning. Dr. Mingea said the burning was due to blood being forced back to the lungs through my mitral valve. Funny, I've experienced burning lungs upon exertion my entire life but I never thought anything of it. I even played tennis and swam competitively in my younger years. I thought that was just what happened when you breathed hard. It would usually start to subside after 15-20 minutes of activity (or maybe I just got used to it).
I walked for about 30 minutes today. I felt good. I really want to try running but I do not want to over-do it while I am healing. It's not like heart surgery fixed by knees and ankles anyway.
I see Dr. Oswalt on the 26th. Hopefully, he will lighten up on my restrictions so I can do more. I especially want to get clearance to drive.
Have a great day.
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