So good to be home…

My last post was 7 hours after surgery and I was so surprised and happy I wasn’t in a lot of pain. I had no idea what recovery from major surgery was going to be like so I was expecting to feel the type of pain I have felt with all of my shoulder dislocations (many of you have experienced these with me!), partially dislocated joint in my lower back, and a few years ago when I fell down the stairs and fractured my sacrum (s5). But it was a lot less painful, so I was super relieved.

Monday night in the hospital was pretty exhausting. People coming in to check vitals, take blood, help me to the bathroom = no sleep. At some point I remember dry heaving in the bathroom with my sweet nurse Jessica holding my hair back and tasting the most disgusting gas – likely anesthesia. Also, here’s something no one tells you which is no biggie but just super random – you are basically walking around with the gown open in the back and your bare ass exposed. Nurses see it all.

We came home Tuesday afternoon and I spent most of the day resting in the LazyBoy recliner we bought on clearance last Sunday. Despite the comfy chair, I decided to sleep in our bed and Chris and I got a little more sleep. I reminded him this was what it was like when we had a newborn, but I don’t think he remembers.

Today (Wednesday) was pretty good. Took a shower which was pretty involved, but not too bad. Even (slowly) blew dry my hair (well, not the back), so feeling pretty good moving my arms. Watched Michael Cohen, Marie Kondo, and fell asleep to Guy’s Grocery Games. One thing I wasn’t anticipating was how sore my throat would be and how hard it would be to talk normally after having been intubated. Dillon thinks it’s hilarious how sloooowlyyyy I’m talking and moving – reminds him of himself.

In terms of pain it’s been pretty well managed with Tylenol, Advil + this miraculous numbing medicine called bupivacaine that auto-dispenses locally every hour, directly into my chest. It’s in this amazing little contraption that’s attached to me by fanny pack that sends a dose every hour until it’s out – usually 48-72 hours after surgery. Sadly, it’s out of juice (explains the pain I felt today) so we had to pull the thin lines out of my body. Ok, Chris actually did it because I was too chicken! It didn’t hurt but was super creepy. Thankfully, we got the Tramadol filled in case I need it tonight or this week!

I’ve received so many wonderful care packages of food, juice, sweets, thoughtful cards, generous gift cards, and flowers that are filling our home – thank you. Speaking of flowers, shout out to Stella Grey Blooms which is run by a friend whose flowers have been gorgeous! #shoplocal

My mom made her traditional Japanese sukiyaki dinner today and it was delicious.

Going to bed and hoping for a little more rest and a little less discomfort tonight.

😴❤️💪🏼