Day 3 - on to quieter pastures....

Day three started out MUCH better than Day two. We woke early to a fresh blanket of snow and Steve slept really well last night and was much more "with it" this morning. We got good news yesterday from his surgeon that all of the scar tissue they were worried about was in the muscle they removed - so he will not need to have a defibrillator put in before we leave. WHEW!

Today Steve is losing tubes left and right. They removed some of the probes in his heart this morning as well as all of IV tubes from his neck that are now going into an IV line in his hand. So he is tube free around his head (and for those of you who know - they NEVER had to use the external pacer!!!!). At around 10am this morning they also took out his chest tubes which were draining excess fluid from his chest cavity. They were one of the main things making him so uncomfortable so it was nice to have them out - gross - but nice.

Around lunch time we were supposed to get him up and walking but he got moved out of the ICU and into his own room instead. Thank goodness! We have had an interesting roommate since the surgery - a 66 year old man who hasn't aged well...... He has kept us entertained (and awake unfortunately) by talking about the "ten" Novocaine shots he got in his private parts (which according to him "might has well have been cut off for how numb they were), by making requests for chili and then bacon and sausage for breakfast. Our wonderful nurse Marsha was sure to let him know that they don't tend to give bacon and sausage to heart patients! He was hard of hearing and a fairly LOUD fellow......needless to say it is blissfully quiet in the new room.

Steve is still enjoying ginger ail and has only been able to eat jello so far. Hopefully he'll get more of an appetite as they ween him off his narcotic drip. He will be losing his precious button of bliss by the end of the day and be taking most of his meds orally. Baby steps!

I spoke to a doctor who works with his surgeon this morning and he assured us that Steve was on track to be released on Tuesday (shocked the heck out of me). So he will hopefully be in his own comfortable bed with nurse Kellie starting Tuesday morning.

I apologize for not posting any pictures but I haven't had a chance to upload any yet. I am hoping to get a picture of his first steps later today when he gets some strength back after moving rooms. I sort of feel like a new mom - waiting anxiously for those first steps and I can't promise I won't cry and take lots of pictures just like one! Once he starts walking he will be able to get rid of the catheter and use the restroom on his own. Each day is bringing him closer to Independence and feeling better!

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments and well wishes. We are thinking of you all and grateful for your support. I wasn't able to have my phone on in the ICU and haven't wanted to leave him much so I haven't had my phone on. I will try and gradually get back to all of you over the next few days as he starts to get closer to being released.
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