[beth]

Tracy,

YIPPIE!!!!

I am so HAPPY for you!!

Hope the nasty pleurisy pain goes away quickly, how awful to end up BACK in hospital again

For me, it was cold packs on the incision, heat over the brachial plexus, don't know why but it felt best. And a pillow tucked under each scapula, running down along my sides for my arms to rest on, with another pillow under my head.

Are you able to sleep? Eating ok? It must feel so good to be HOME at last! It's getting cold here, and dark outside early even with the time change, a good time to snuggle in, enjoy some comfort food and let others take care of you for a change.

You gotta share the choccy though!

beth

PS Really sorry about side-tracking your other thread like that

[astern]

Hi Trix,

I also had pluracy after the first rib resection, landed back in the hospital for 10 days and had fluids drawn from my pleural space twice. That was not a fun experience, but they had me so medicated in the hospital that I don't recall much agony... I was just glad to be told that I wasn't going to die from it. 10 days... daily x-rays (sometimes 2x a day)...I'm sure I still glow in the dark.

Are you getting any inhalers for home use? How are you feeling now, lung-wise?

I'm THRILLED that you can 'feel' again! Take it slow and easy!
Anne

[ginnybean32]

Wow Pleurisy hurts dont I know it...get it nearly everytime I get a cold now and cough too long as my lung was punctured during an EMG...good thing they picked up on it right away...Painful painful....

I do have a suggestion for an exercise that is so simple and will cut down on adhesions and I was told to do after my surgery and I was discharged...

You stand bended over like your going to tie your shoes but just let the arm affected hang and move like a bell. At first I could just tolerate it just hanging and then eventually after a week I was moving that baby in circles...It helps keep the adhesion from where they go in the armpit from adhering to the inner dermis...and it dosnt hurt you too bad to do it....

Me I needed help dressing, washing my hair for at least a 2 weeks...zip up sweats (as it was cold when I had my surgery) were so great!!! I could not do my own hair like blowing it out for over a month so I wore a lot of hats...lol...and during xmas when I had to walk around alot I did wear a sling to help keep my pain levels down...The jolt of walking plus I tended to do more with my bad side than I was being instructed to do if I didnt wear a sling but that was only when I drove or out and about. I remember once nearly dropping something and catching it with my post surgical side. It set me back weeks....So then I wore my sling when doing things around the house so I wouldnt "accidently" catch something else...lol.....

It will take some time to feel normal again a mantra you will hear for a long time but oh its worth it not to feel numbness and pain....at least it was for me....keep us posted on your recovery and dont overdo...Its not worth it...Let others help...Amy

[gibbrn]

Hi,

Hope all is well now that you are home.....onwaards and upwards...

no TOS pain......YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO happy for you!! keep up the exercise and good work....and follow instructions to the letter!!!

prayers and hugs...gentle ones.....

Victoria