[trix]

I figured I would try once again. For anyone giving me advice on this thread I will accept with all happiness. Sometimes we need to remember that we are all educated and intelligent adults. We know that we need to confirm with our doctors, we Know that we need to do what is right for our bodies. We know that just because it may have worked for someone else, does not mean it works for everyone. Now that being said bring on the advice, the well wishes, and anything else you want to say. I love you guys and know you are giving me the best of your hearts. Also, if anyone has the desire to correct anything posted in this thread please start a new thread(link it to the post you are referring to ), just keep it off this thread please. I just want to talk with people on this thread who can hear about my experience, and offer their experiences so we can all learn how to get better.
I got home from the hospital on Friday. Saturday and Sunday were OK, lots of pain. On Sunday evening I was trying to get up out of my recliner, when I was struck with crippling chest pain. When ever I tried to breathe in the pain was so intense I though I would die.
My DH took me to the emergency room, they thought I had a collapsed lung or a pulmonary embolism. Thankfully it turned out to be pleurisy. It is VERY painful. They think that the chest tube irritated my lung and the inflammation etc. will be gone in 5-10 days. But, I ended up spending another 3 days in the hospital.
I am home again for real.
The TOS pain is GONE. I have pain on inhalation, I have muscle pain and incision pain. I am going to yell so cover your earsLOL.
I HAVE NO NUMBNESS, NO TINGLING. I CAN PICK UP A COFFEE CUP. MY ARMS AND SHOULDERS FEEL NORMAL. I AM SO EXCITED. I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT.
Thanks to everyone for all your good wishes. You guys are my lifeline. I will keep you posted as things go on.
Thanks.
Tracy

[Curious]

tracey!!! i am soo happy for you!!

my good thoughts and prayers for you to continue pain free.

((((hugs))))

(ps...i was following your other thread...)

[trix]

hey you da monkey wit tha chocolate. They don't give you chocolate in the hospital. Thanx
Tracy

[DiMarie]

Tracy I am so sorry that the lung problem was something unexpected to virtually, take your breath away, but that could be addressed so quickly!

It is such great news the releif that you had. I remember De crying in relief when Dr. T took her hand after her second surgery and could "Feel" his cold hand. She had lost all of that prior.

On going speedy recovery!

Oh, Tracy, after anesthesia they limit your driving, as far as my experiance.

Tonight I had a client drive to her appointment, three weeks post op (not TOS), felt tired but OK, but had spell at work.

Not sure if it was the past surgery or not, but gave all a scare. She came around, not sure if something else is brewing, or just the weakness post op.
Be careful,
Di

[Curious]

howza 'bout a bouquet of choccy chip cookies just for you tracy

I''m so sorry to hear about the hospital trip and the pleurisy. I have a friend from high school who had it and she said it was excruciatingly painful!!

I remember my own feelings of relief from the pain in my arm and hand the moment I came to after surgery and I remember telling the nurse attending me I thought I'd died and gone to heaven !! It was such a wonderful moment!! For the first time in 3 years, no pain!! I was ecstatic!!

When I went home I slept in the recliner for the first week as lying flat was unbearable, and I think I am pretty tough when it comes to handling pain; but I was in agony when laying down flat, and felt like I couldn't breathe!!

I used my little breathing machine to strenghthen my lungs, as they told me to, and that too was very painful and difficult for me. It was a good 3 weeks before I could breathe without intense pain. It was several months before I could breathe almost normally. I have asthma, so possibly that had something to do with it. Also, The surgeon did nick my pleura, and that might have contributed to my difficulty as well.

I still don't have my full breathing capacity, and have to stop for air more frequently than before. But I don't care!! It's worth it to not have that searing pain, or the swelling any longer! And I too, can hold things now that I couldn't before... as long as I don't over do! The minute I drop a pen, or hair brush or spoon I change hands or quit! I have learned that for my body, when I push myself I pay for it ten fold the next day and usually for days after. It really isn't worth it to me to suffer and hurt like that!! And, Dr.Ellis says it can delay or even prevent recovery, so I listen to his warnings and try to do what I have been told!!

The 7th of November will be my 1 year anniversay since the surgery, and I will be celebrating on that day!! I am still recovering but I am thrilled and grateful for having had the opportunity to have it done and to be relieved of the tremendous suffering I had experienced before the surgery.

The only thing I can think of to offer as encouragement is... listen to your body, and don't push yourself. (Please re-read my posts to your initial question to save me having to re write ) I think everyone heals at different rates, and it is important for you to not put a time frame on your healing process based on someone elses. Jeez! Your'e the only person I 've heard of who has had both sides done at once, so you will be educating all of us soon!!

Hopefully you will have a strong support system of people who realize that you have had very serious operations that will require an extended amount of recovery time, possibly even years, and there is a possibility that it won't be a 100% recovery. (My Dr. told me my recovery chances were 70% with a definite career change and no desk jobs, or bending or lifting, or using my arms.... mmmmm, so what else is there ??) I was told that even though I'd had surgery, I stilll have a "condition" that makes me very susceptible to re-injury and therefore requires life style changes.

You will be the only one who knows your new body's limitations. And you have to be the one who tells everybody... P.t.'s, Dr.s, dh's, kid's, friends, etc. etc, what your limitations are. At least that is what my Dr.'s and pt. have told me and that has been my experience.

I hope that maybe something I have shared will be helpful to you, and I will pray that your body will continue to heal and be better than ever!!

Best wishes and very careful hugs!!
G~

[Jomar]

Tracy,
{did you type all that??}

you crazy gal!!
I'm so glad that the TOS pain is gone - cheers to you!
on the pleurisy.

[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