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!!

If you can, get an ergonomic evaluation of your workstation before surgery so you're ready to go when you're ready to return to work.

There are ways to better manage how you do your work, but if work makes you worse, that's a huge red flag. You are going to have to be incredibly mindful of how you're feeling and how your body is responding (turning blue).

Even now, if I'm in a meeting with my son's teachers or something really engaging, the pain recedes to the back on my mind only to come roaring back as soon as I leave. Being really engaged with work can be a great thing but it can also be really bad if you're not paying attention to posture, taking breaks, stretching, etc.

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.

Good luck. I took hydromorphone for the post surgical pain. Unfortunately, I still take it 8 years later, but that's another story.

I'll be sending positive thoughts your way.

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.