I'd been warned that the most painful act following this surgery would be any sort of sneeze. Despite the warning I was in no way, shape or form ready for the actually pain the usual joyous act of sneezing would cause. I was sitting on the couch enjoying an evening with my wife and mother when I felt a common itch enter my nose. I grabbed my pillow and nonchalantly pressed it to my chest as warned by others who have had the same surgery. As the sneeze slowly crept out my nose I felt the pain radiate from my chest as water leaked from my eyes. At the same time a string of four letter words spewed out my mouth......this allowed my wife and mother to fully understand the pain that felt like a volcano opening my chest and spewing lava throughout my body. Just as quickly as the sneeze had occurred it was over. It took about five minutes to gain the confidence to move from my idle position on the couch. Now I understand when others say, "they will never forget their first post op sneeze". Mine occurred Tuesday October 2nd, 2008 at 7pm and it hurt like s&*t.
With that being said I met with my cardiologists at the UW and my recovery seems to be going well. I've been hampered with an annoying little cough. Coughing doesn't hurt as bad as a sneeze but it certainly does not feel good. It's probably due to some acid reflux and possible trauma to my throat after being intibated. We had a chest x-ray taken to make sure that there is no fluid in my lungs. This is unlikely because my lungs sounded good to the doctors but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Next week I get to start my cardiac rehab therapy at Evergreen Hospital which I am excited about. Any reason to get out of the house is a huge positive in my book. As for current exercise I have increased the pace and length of my walks.
Thanks to everyone for all your thoughtfulness. To all my buddies, thank you guys so much for the gift. You guys are ridiculously generous. Have fun this weekend and I wish I could be there. Next year Howard version 2.0 will be raring to go for dudes weekend.
Take care,
Steve
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2 comments:
yikes. so sorry steve...at least it's behind you now? ...good update though. i'm only slightly concerned about who's taking toby to the dog park? and have you started those david sedaris books yet? you might want to save Me Talk Pretty One Day for later...because if laughing can hurt as bad as that sneeze, you might need some more time :)
A couple quick questions/points...
Do you remember the first of Octember? My only point being, that on the first of Octember, according to Dr. Seuss, you will get everything you want. That said, it is December, not Octember, or October for that matter.
We missed you in Cali. Had a great time. Shots in your honor. It was good, and should happen again next year. Maybe next year we won't all end up together in a gay bar, but this year, we did. Not on purpose, except maybe it was planned by Moscrip.
Miss you---hope to see you when we're out. Nick
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