HAHA! I can tell you now... there is no internet access (unless you want to pay a $15 fee per hour or something stupid like that ) but THANK GOD! for smartphones! (can't live without mine)

I'll try and post some pictures of Toronto hospital food, I will tell you now, it will NOT be eaten (you might end up seeing "ensure/boost, Starbucks, or our famous Tim Hortons! in the pictures).

Thanks again for the heads up on the 5-6 realistic time period. It makes a hell of alot more sense.

Oh man, hospital food! My one single complaint about my experience at MGH. The lady who serves meals in the thoracic surgery recovery area is the nicest and most helpful woman alive. But that food is terrrrible. I'm not Canadian, but I sincerely wish there was a Timmy's in the MGH area. I cant afford to lose any more weight.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR PHONE CHARGER!!

I'm 18 days post-op first rib resection and doing pretty well. Curious about others' recovery. Started PT yesterday and am definitely sore, but not horrible pain or anything.

I believe from your post that you live in Canada and I am unaware of their policies for help. I told my Dr. that I will have NO help which concerned me to no end. I called my insurance company (Medicare and AARP supplement) and asked what the circumstance would be for me to either go to a re-had after the hospital or have someone from the VNA (Visiting Nurses). The told me that you must be in the hospital 4 days, not come out on the 4th day, be in the hospital a full 4 days in order to qualify for the re-hab and your doctor must request it in writing. I will be in 2 days. The qualifications for the VNA are the the doctor request it. When I told the doctor I would have no help he said, don't worry at all about it. When you are in the hospital the VNA will come to you and make the arrangements. My insurance co said you are allowed to have the VNA 1-8 hrs a day depending upon need. I surely hope this can help you because I know the fear and insecurity of feeling alone without help. Let me know what you find out about getting help because now I'm worried about you. Maybe you were unaware there may be help. Don't be afraid to ASK for HELP, please.

Irisheyesmilin

Unfortunately here in Canada is sort of the same. I have "sunlife" (private insurance) and I am only able to use $400.00 worth of physiotherapy/homecare nurses a year (Plus I need a request from my dr). which is like 5 physio treatments, and the closest one to me is a 30min walk. I was given a booklet of physio exercises I'm to do, my biggest issue is the nerves that are healing still (keep dropping things) - embarrassed to say yesterday alone i broke a pint glass, coffee mug, small plate, and a magic bullet cup with banana smoothie all over my floor. So far this morning it's been good nothing broken.

I see my surgeon on tuesday, i'll talk to him about physio (or if it is just the healing process thats taken it's toll on me) and not realizing my limitations due to surgery.

thank you for your suggestions

Toronto, Canada

sooo... I have my surgery booked. May 9th it is. I was NOT expecting it to be so soon. Here it's more like 2-3 MONTH wait for surgeries (unless it's very urgent). especially the hospital mine is being performed at.

now.. i'm just freaking out about the fact if there are no private rooms available the day of admission. If I get a semi-private and have to share. OMG! i'm sort of a clean freak, and the fact I will not be the most pleasant person to deal with after surgery, if anyone gets on my nerves (I am NOT nice).

what is going through my head is "how clean is the bed", "how clean is the washroom", "seriously I have to share a room"?, "NOONE better use the freaking patient washroom other than PATIENTS!", "There better not be many visitors if there is another person", and "they better NOT be screaming when the so call talk", "no one better bring in food that are strong" OR PREPARE IT (yes a friend of mine, she had just given birth, and her room-mate's husband brought in a portable cooker, and was cooking some sort of Chinese/Korean food).

I swear I am brining Lysol cleansing wipes with me (no joke).

and being aware than I won't be able to/ or can't clean is getting me anxious (even though I know i'll be cleaning the crap out of my place before hand).

Sorry for the rant. just a lot going through my head right now.... AHHH!.

You might share some of those concerns with your surgeon, maybe they can do something to help alleviate some of the stress about it.

I am 3 weeks post-op from a first rib resection and now doing pretty well, but still on oxycodone, although significantly lower dosages then the first couple weeks. The first 2 weeks were a bit tough for me in terms of post-operative pain and to be honest with you I had to be re-admitted once for another few days for IV pain control. I am a registered nurse in a busy Boston ER so I probably will not be able to go back to work for another month or so, which is right on target per my surgeon. If I had a less physical job, I could foresee going back sooner.

Best, Lisa

Thanks for the feedback. previous extensive surgeries (non-rib related), we found out, narcotics don't work for me. the strongest meds they could prescribe is hydromorphone, and being allergic to NSAIDS is the other issue (in terms of inflammation). I will just have to find out, tomorrow's my 5 HOUR (pre-op assessment - not looking forward to having to take the day off work). i'm just hoping something can sorted out. Thank you again for the feedback. It's very helpful to know what I should somewhat expect.