Turning a corner

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I have now been home from the hospital for a month. During that month I have had a wound vac, oxygen around the clock, in home physical therapy, in home occupational therapy, nursing visits several times a week to change the wound vac dressing, and several follow up medical appointments.

To be honest, I felt a little stuck. I was doing everything I was supposed to in order to "progress" and recover. The progress was so slow, that I hardly noticed. There were days that I began to wonder if we had done the right thing by having surgery. The surgery was supposed to stabilize things so that I could enjoy spending time with my family and friends. But I have been homebound, only leaving the house for medical appointments. I enjoyed all the visits from family and friends - but often felt exhausted after a short visit.

BUT THEN, this week happened.:

*My vascular surgeon discontinued the wound vac early in the week. - my hubby dresses my wound each night with saline and gauze - no more hoses or machines!

*I was able to shower for the first time since May 11th.

*I had two medical appointments and didn't take my wheelchair - I walked into the clinic from the car to the exam room and then back out of the clinic to our car. Prior to this, I had to use my wheelchair for medical appointments.

*AND I WENT ON MY FIRST SOCIAL OUTING today. While I was in the hospital, I made a list of things I wanted to do when I got home. One of the things on the list was to go to the movie theater to see "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu". Hubby, my favorite son, and I met some friends at the theater and saw the movie together.

*Tomorrow we will go hang out with friends at their trailer.

I am still working hard in PT and OT to improve my strength and stamina. We are also working with my primary care doctor to try to taper my pain meds. I will have a CT in preparation for seeing the vascular surgeon in a few weeks. I will also see a new pulmonologist this month so that I can work to improve my lungs in the hopes that I can eventually get rid of the oxygen. I am looking forward to continued improvement.

My dear friend sent me this card. The day after it arrived my wound vac was removed!