Grace 's Journal

I am happy to be back at home now, resting and walking. I took a two hour nap yesterday after the airport experience and flight which went very well. Thank you David Sabritt for the reminder to request wheelchair assistance. It was super helpful going through a large airport like La Guardia. It also allowed myself, as well as my son and husband traveling with me, to bypass the long security line, as I was wheeled to the front of the line.
I have to say the incentive to walk has changed. From our hotel in NY it was 0.2 miles to admire a pastry case(occasionally more than admiring), 0.2 miles to grab a juice or smoothie, 0.3 miles to a NY style pizzeria 😆. Our last night in NYC enjoying a smoothie at an outdoor cafe.

I think sleep was what I needed most after day five. Since I have been getting regular sleep (with the help of a sleeping aid) I have felt so much better. I still have some aches and pains in my shoulders and back, and still feel pressure on my sternum, but none of it is that bad. I have been walking a lot as that is very easy to do in NYC. There is everything within a block or two, groceries, a park, bakeries, bagels, and restaurants galore. They definitely make use of every space here.

I met with my wonderful surgeon today, had an x-ray and have been cleared to fly home tomorrow. Woohoo!
I just couldn't come to NYC for the first time and not see Lady Liberty. My husband found some premier tickets on the Circle Line cruises and for an extra $25 you get to bypass the line and get a cushy seat in a special area that was really great. Totally worth it.❤️🗽

Days 4 and 5- the morning of day four I felt pretty darn well, I thought, since just having had OHS and only getting maybe 3.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I was pretty independent, got myself up, brushed my teeth, sat in my chair for a bit, ate a bit of oatmeal. My throat has been very sore and it has been difficult to talk, so I don't feel like swallowing much either. My wonderful husband has been bringing me protein smoothies(thx for the tip Deena)
I walked 5055 steps in the hospital hall and atrium on day 4. Now I know what all you heart warriors are talking about in not overdoing! By the afternoon I am thinking I am going to take a nap, rest, but found out I was being moved to another room (shared), my original was private, which I was very fortunate to have, as not many at Mt Sinai are. So, my planned nap turned into packing and moving. I was so spent by 5pm I could barely do anything. I was moved uneventfully but I can now laugh a bit about it. The nurse came and gave me lasix(diuretic) because I had gained 16lbs in fluids post surgery. After my nurse gave me the diuretic the AC maintenance guys came and said they needed to get into our bathroom to work on the AC , so I had to keep asking 3 guys to clear out while I went to the bathroom and leaving my full "hat" for the nurse to make note of. Happily they did correct the AC issue after about an hour to my great relief That evening I slept maybe 1 1/2 hours total and was completely spent all day. Didn't want to do anything, thinking, what was I thinking having this surgery, I felt horrible. My BP was going up too high. My nurse Derrick was so kind, he came and talked to me a bit and shared some personal stories to try and get my mind in a better place. All the nurses were so kind but today I really needed that. When the attending physician came by I asked if I could be released to the hotel so I could sleep better, he agreed. This pic is in our hotel bathroom after the nurse at the hospital removed my dressings and helped me take my first shower. It is a brutal mark, a testament to what the human body and a heart warrior can endure and overcome. I know it will look better over time. I was blessed with the most wonderful surgical team. Dr El-Hamamsy is a wonderful person, surgeon and blessed gift from God.

I took a sleeping pill at the hotel after my last med and slept a blissful 7-8hrs
I have had my first shower at the hotel now, and you are right Richard, even that is exhausting. I am ready to plod on in this recovery after a much needed sleep. Bless you all for sending your wishes and thoughts to me. I plan to speak to them individually at some point but for now my husband is doing most all my communication for me, except this. Love to you all

Day 3 post surgery. I made it to step down yesterday. I walked half the corridor in ICU the day after surgery. Surgeons and doctors said everything went great and I am feeling very blessed, and sometimes emotional. So, now it is day three and I am definitely feeling the soreness in my shoulder blades and back. The nurse was giving me Dilaudid in my IV which worked great on the pain but made me itch all over. So I switched to Tylenol extra strength but then my kidney or liver tests were off so they said they might try Advil. Even without using narcotics the discomfort is doable, but I do really want some Advil. I have one big drain tube which I feel fortunate about because I know I have read of others with 2-3. It wasn't really bothering me until today. Hopefully it will come out tomorrow. I walked 5 Laps around the hospital floor, so far today, or 1052 steps. I felt a bit out of breath and like a small but heavy child was sitting on my chest. My blood pressure stayed where the doctors want it during my walk, around 110 for the higher number. They have been giving me Metprolol 25mg to keep it there. I thought the hardest part about walking is dragging all the wires they have you hooked up with. I did get my catheter out this morning which was the best thing ever. Now I notice the chest tube discomfort more. 🙃Hoping to lose the chest drainage tube, pacemaker and backup pacemaker soon🤞. 

Pre-op appointments completed this morning. Scheduled to arrive at hospital at 5:30am, be in surgical theatre, prepped by 7:15am and surgery should begin around 9am, if all goes as scheduled. Took a nice long walk in Central Park after pre-op enjoying the park and gardens 🌻 🪻

Went kayaking this weekend with my husband and sons. New unfamiliar, river trip was a lazy float except one hinky spot that narrowed, with a downed tree and some current. We had a little excitement as I caught a branch and flipped myself out of my kayak and lost my phone. I had it out in hopes of catching a pic of one of the bald eagles that nest along the river, but instead lost all my unbacked up pics. Other than that, it was relaxing and great fun with my fam. Just got phone replacement

I have been gathering some things to take with me for a hospital stay based on notes from others on this site, recommendations and things I thought I may want. I'd like to give a special shout out to Cathy Weed, with 4x experience, for her input about this and other thoughts, via phone call. It is all so much appreciated
So my list to date:
Chapstick, baby wipes, icy hot, warm socks, my own soap& shampoo(also dry shampoo), my own pj's that open in front, earplugs, eyemask, hair bands and ties, a post surgery bra(front close) and my camping Pstyle, in case I don't feel strong enough to sit, and then stand, to go. Plus the long charging cord for my phone
Any other suggestions?