Karen's Journal

Ok, so I’m home. Got home yesterday. Thank you for all the well wishes! Good things:


. I got 5am surgery slot, so I was in ICU and recovery by noon. I ended up one night in ICU.  I would highly recommend a note pad and paper to write on and communicate afterwards. I remember them saying “can you read that, do you know what that says”? My husband kept the notes and I have no idea what I was writing even though I felt it was clear as day at the time! 😉


2. Dr Roselli and is team were pretty cool - just the whole process of them stopping to talk with you, I really felt like they truly cared about me. I cannot say enough about how cool he is as well. it’s pretty crazy seeing all of the beds lined up for surgery in the hall - completely blew my mind that I got to experience that.

3. I LOVED my guy Bret in ICU. He was absolutely amazing!! Just so sweet, calm and reassuring - def what I needed.  I do not remember them taking the breathing tube out.  

4. I was in surgery, then to icu, transferred to step down the next afternoon. Everyone kept saying I looked so good, my labs were good, chest was good so It was certainly positive.  That being said,  there’s def some holes in communication happening between nurses, techs, assisting etc.  I’m extremely grateful my husband spent the 1st 2 nights with me. If you can,  I’d find someone who can at least be there for night or day, not everyone is available. 

Now to the help questions:
1. It definitely hurts more than I thought for breathing in.
2. I’m low on potassium/anemic. Is this normal? they have put me on a potassium pill and say it will go away.
3. Fatigue/tired - my feet and body feel like I have 10lb bowling balls strapped to them

im sure they’ll be more to come -