Surgery day plus 9
This has been the best day so far. I have kept myself reasonably busy with phone calls, Skype calls, exercises and a 2 hour nap right after breakfast – hmmm…. I wonder if I could get used to this. I was also able to finish the Chronicles of Narnia movie that I started yesterday.
My Incentive Spirometer has been my constant companion. I set a timer so that I practice with it once an hour. It is a device designed to (with proper use) increase the capacity and health of my lungs. Since my lungs had to be collapsed during surgery I need to rebuild my lung function. When the chest has been cut like that there is some discomfort in taking deep breaths so this gadget is designed to provide “incentive” to keep the lungs fully functioning. At this point I have only been able to regain about 50% of my previous capacity – so there is a bit of work to do on my end. Each day, however, I do see incremental increases.
I was able to get out of the house today and walk a quarter of a block or so. In the process I met a number of my neighbours and we were able to chat a bit. That was cool. I felt like I was getting back into the community again – although I guess I won’t be joining them skiing in the next week or two. 🙂
I was able to make supper for Bec and me tonight. Hashbrown potatoes with lightly sauteed yellow and red bell peppers and thinly sliced shallots along with crisply fried Alder-smoked bacon. Bec fried some Omega3 eggs for us and we finished it off with a celebratory chocolate. Not too shabby – but I am tired now…