Frank's Journal

Hey All, stepped away a while. Hi Ana, Rose, Timothy Steven, Susan Lynn, Richard, Deena, Marie, & Stephanie. Mild happenings here, but after what we all been thru, piece a cake. I hope your all doing well.
And I wish you all Happy Holidays. Oh Ana, have you heard from Stephanie ? Love to you ALL!

Well the sternum repair went off without a hitch. Admitted to St Luke's - Bethlehem PA, on 6am Dec. 10th surgery at 8am, woke up around noon, discharged 2pm the next day. What they did was remove all the wires, all broke but one. Sewed the sternum to hold it together, and attached both pectoral together, inserted a bunch of drains and a vac. Friday everything but two drains were removed, then rebandaged. Gotta go back wed. to see iff the last two drains come out. So far, so good. I dont hear or feel any grinding of the sternum. But was warned, this is a lifetime of take it lightly, no heavy lifting. They woulda used plates and new wires but my diabetes, hypoxia.... they were afraid to damage the lungs any further than need be. BIG SHOUT OUT TO : DR GIOIA, DR MARTINEZ, DR REVEIRA, AND MOST OF ALL GOD !!!!!

So, round two begins. I knew this was coming from the snap, crackle, pop in my chest. We was hoping it would heal on it's own, but only got worse. Only one wire is holding my sternum together. I seen the surgeon early this week, he looked at the last scan and was pissed, the radiologist didn't pick up on it, and neither did the PA at the pulmonologist. He called it complete sternal dehiscence. He started me with the bunch of test and scheduled me in for December 10th. One bad thing, my wife is still not allowed in the hospital. And still very Grateful !!!!

So very Thankful & Grateful for every waking day. Learning to live every day as another Grateful accomplishment. I'm very Thankful for my fantastic Doctor. My wife Diane & my family is outrageous. My Grandsons are a blast, but I miss them very much. We are abiding by our own common sense version of quarantine. My wife, her mother, and I are all over 60, wife & I are diabetic, I have hypoxemia (lung issues), and I'm a Warrior. So kids are being missed like crazy. My daughter comes over, but outside 10 feet apart with masks, but not very often. My son lives in NY, we haven't seen him since January or so. He also has health issues. So, we will understand, isolate, and be VERY THANKFUL, and pray next year we can take our masks off, and toss them. Everyone, Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey all ! Today was eight weeks from my Quad Bypass. Feeling pretty good, getting more energy back every day. I just started cardio rehab, and I notice a diff. Monday I go back to see the surgeon, and last time we met we talked about reopening the incision to install plates to my sternum. Seems as the heavy coughing did a number on the wires. Outside all this, I need to have a blood test the end of the month, but the headaches I have had up to the surgery are gone 100%. I have secondary polycythemia. Thick blood. I had headaches everyday for about three years until they found that. Since then I have been getting blood letting once a month to control it. But, since the surgery, not one. I think it's the increase blood flow, but doctors tell me no??? We'll see. Until so, VERY GRATEFUL for my surgeon, my family, and I'm Alive!

Well, Im about 5 weeks after "The Incident". I get to see my surgeon for the 1st post surgery visit. I guess I'll get all the do's and don'ts. I had quadruple bypass surgery. For the last 5 weeks, it's been on and off pain. Cough, sneeze and I see stars. Emotions!! The crying for no reason and every reason. How long before the OHS pain subsides? Anyone? Well, I am glad to have found this site to talk to people that understand. Already been welcomed by a neighbor Susan Lynn. I hope to talk to more. Good Health To All!