Brian's Journal

My surgery and hospital stay went very well. Everyone was very happy, which of course made me very happy. Before I was released I had a visit with occupational therapist and physical therapist. I practiced getting in and out of bed and assured them, myself, everyone I would take it easy not lift, not reach, not do anything to cause any healing problems. I knew going into this I was looking at up to 3 months of no driving, no physical activities, not even walking my dog. So what happened? A few days after being home I am feeling a "pop" in my chest. Something as simple as drying my hands, or lifting a glass to my mouth. I called my surgeons office and my nurse and after my attempts of explaining and answering questions the response was "you are wired shut and nothing is moving". Well, I just returned from my post surgical checkup. Ekg looks great and even my chest xray looked great, but when I again asked about this "pop" the PA put her hands on my chest and said breath deep and sure enough she felt the pop. I saw her expression, not good. She believes my sternum is not separating, but slightly sliding. Her only advise was to make sure I do nothing to cause it. So how do I do that? If I move my elbows away from my side it happens. Any advice?