The recovery continues

It’s now three and a half weeks since my quadruple heart bypass surgery, and I’m beginning to feel a bit more human. My stitches were removed this week (those that were visible, anyway – there’s a bunch that are internal, and will either dissolve on their own or remain as wire holding my breastbone together). That was a bit ouchy, as the skin had dried out around them, and tugging on them was rather painful, but at least it’s over now.

I’m getting more mobile, trying to walk up to half a mile a day (I did about a mile today), and get myself back into shape. I start 36 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation (3 each week) next Monday, and that’ll combine with daily walking to keep me active over the next few months. My chest feels rather peculiar, as the breastbone’s still not knitted together, and walking too far or doing too much results in little slipping feelings and noises as bits of bone seem to slide over each other – most peculiar! Still, they tell me it’ll get better with time.

I’m very grateful that the excruciating pain of moving around is much better, and even coughing is getting easier (although that’s still very sore). Hopefully, by the end of November, things will have improved to the point when I no longer wince when I cough!

Miss D. has now joined me from Alaska. Over the next few months she’ll be helping me with my recuperation, keeping me challenged and up-to-the-mark in terms of fitness and rehab exercises (of which she has all too much experience from her own injuries), and generally being a loving nag in the background. I’ll let you know if I survive the experience! I’m very grateful to have her here. It makes things much easier.

Thanks again to all of you who’ve sent prayers and good wishes my way. So far, so good.

Peter