friday. day after xmas. doctors came in and were impressed enough with my xrays and recovery to that point to discharge me. my oxygen saturation was high enough [fluctuating between 90-92], my ability to move around was good [doing big laps now without a walker] and showing a sign of life again.
having no chest tubes does wonders for you.
a handful of PT’s came in to make sure i would be able to cope with post-op life at home. i’m not allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds. cannot reach my hands behind me, for any reason. cannot sleep with my hands behind my head. cannot raise my hands above my head, or elbows above my shoulder. it’s amazing what these simple things will do to you. try it sometime. try remembering you can’t do something that you’ve done all your life. don’t pull the door behind you, turn around and face the door while you pull it shut.
showering is interesting too. no bending over further than your head to your stomach height. do not be immobile for more than 15 minutes at a time. walk, often. as often as you can. use your induced spirometer every hour. the single hardest part was learning how to get in and out of bed. it’s this weird twist and roll method where you hold on for dear life to a firm pillow for support so you dont’ feel like your chest is going to explode, roll and swing your legs to sit up right.
amazingly difficult and painful actually.
so, i was extremely fortunate to have travis, my mom and sister all there during my discharge. travis actually came to my house and shoveled my walkway and a parking spot for the cars so we could just pull right in. it was great. then my sister and mom showed up with lots of groceries to keep me well fed for days.
without their support i would have had a difficult time. that first day home, i was a mess. really tired, fatigued, i slept pretty well. slept solidly for the first time in over a month. it was great. other than having to wake up every three hours to take more pills.
so, i’m home, out of the hospital. i have a meeting with the surgical team in approx 2 weeks where i hopefully will find out the nature of the mass. it was much bigger than expected. basically wrapping around my heart and getting up to 3 inches thick. my windpipe was getting dangerously close to my spine. i’ll be keeping updates from home when i can. luckily for me, comcast screwed up [amazing, truly the WORST company in the world] so my internet is pretty much shot for a bit. hope everyone is doing well, and can’t thank you all for the support.
Hey you.. proud of you for getting through all of that. (alien baby extraction surgery…) Just a little while to go and you’ll start to feel like your old self. I’m in London, or I’d come for a visit. I’ll be back next week, then have to work a couple of days, but hope to see you soon after. Till then, I’m holding a good thought for you.
wow so happy you are in your own home now. Is your mom staying with you? Hope you get your internet up and running soon. Thinking of you and wishing you continued improvement. Love you.
Hi Kevin,
Freddie, my husband read your blogs and he just kept shaking his head in disbelief. He said that you are one very bright kid and take it from me, his IQ is way over the top but he is very down to earth. Some of the things you spoke about today, I can relate to, well not quite….When Fred had his stroke he had to relearn so much and one thing he had to learn is how to get in and out of bed, something we do all the time but never put any thought to.
I do a lot of research when it comes to medical and have learned that there must always be and advocate for you and you also must be your own advocate. I never go to any doctor without a list of questions, updates on medications from other doctors and in my case I have an oncologist, radiologist and breast surgeon and believe me, I make sure that all reports go to each one including my regular doctor. I am doing great and I’m just another statistic but you get the blue ribbon for being a medical miracle. Your doctors are brilliant and I always say a little “prayer” to guide the surgeons hand. I’m not too religious but just in case…….LOL.
We are so happy to know you are on the road to recovery. Don’t overdo too much and get your rest and nutrition. Has any one suggested to you that you hold a soft pillow over your chest when you are trying to roll from one side to another and when you are trying to get out of bed? It helps. Who will be checking on you and how frequently? You don’t want to catch any cold….not a good idea.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, at least you are over the worst part and will be able to watch the January 20th history making event.
Love,
Sallie
When do you think your book will be published?
I want one of the first copies and I will pay for it! Just make sure it is signed!
Hey Kev,
Wow. What a ride. I know you’ll probably disagree with me, but you are One Tough Dude. You’ve inspired me to get more exercise… if for no other reason than to be fit for when life throws _me_ the curveball. I’d love to see you again – when you’re up for it.
-Chris
Hey Kev,
Your story of resilience is actually quite inspiring in this turbulent economic time. Who ever knew stubborn Irish genetics would help so much where most people would lose optimism. I know you will be back the water and being a soccer hooligan in no time and kicking even more ass!