Post 23, part 2

 Recovery from any surgery requires patience, a skill I have gained through multiple surgeries. As I have expressed in previous posts regarding surgeries, I tend to bounce back relatively quickly; however, my body is taking its time to recover from
this surgery. I am healing from different incisions; the right side of my face is swollen, my neck is sensitive due to the trach and Penrose ( a Penrose is a type of surgical drain), and my left leg is weaker than my right due to the skin flap. So, it will take time before I am at 100%. 

Tuesday, January 25

I said goodbye to the ICU! I was transferred to a standard room on the fourth floor, room 402. After settling into my new space and saying goodbye to my mom, I put on a movie and got comfortable in a recliner. At one point, my suction fell; I figured I could stand up, walk the two feet towards my bed where the suction was and pick it up. I did not think I needed to call my nurse to help. After all, it was a short distance. So, I put my movie on pause and slowly scooted to my bed. Two nurses walked into my room as I leaned against my bed to grab my suction. 

Out of ICU

Needless to say, they were not happy; they reprimanded me, telling me that I could have gotten hurt and that I needed to call my nurse if I wanted to move. They helped me get back into my chair and grabbed my suction. My assigned nurse, Nick, came in later and jokingly said, " I heard you were a runaway." I promised him and the other two nurses that I would call for help moving forward. 

Despite my vow not to stand up again, a nurse placed an alarm on my recliner and bed. In hindsight, I should not have stood up despite my self-assessment that I was able and strong enough to perform my actions. 

My brother Andrés also visited me and slept over! By far, it was the best night ever! We watched movies and took a stroll around the floor at 10 pm. 

Wednesday, January 26 to present

Freedom! After one whole week in the hospital, I was discharged! Oh, what a happy day! Being home has been the best medicine! There is nothing better than sleeping in your bed and eating home-cooked meals. At home, I do not have to worry about a chair alarm going off every time I stand from my recliner. 

I went back to Moffitt on Wednesday, February 2, for a follow-up and to remove the staples from my left thigh; I had a total of 30 staples! Kathy, Dr. Patel's nurse, removed the staples and examined the wound; she said my leg was healing perfectly and that I had to increase my walking distance to rebuild my strength slowly. My next appointment is Tuesday, March 1.

As I am nearing a month post-surgery, I can slowly see the results. My left leg is stronger with each passing day. My tracheostomy and Penrose drain in my neck are nearly closed. The swelling on my face and head has significantly gone down, and the stitches have started to dissolve. But, please don't misunderstand; I still have a long road ahead of me to see full results. Dr. Patel said it would take up to ten weeks before I see results, but fully recovering from such extensive surgery will take about a year. 

I do not know if I will need a follow-up surgery once I fully recover, and honestly, that is the least of my worries. Right now, I am focused on healing from number 23. I have had zero complications. I follow all medical advice and listen to what my body, mind, and soul need, and what I need most is patience in the healing process.