I am a little late to this thread but you both are in my prayers and I am happy the surgery went well. Healing thoughts and energy to you both

Doe this mean we can make him laugh again?

Everyone, thank you all so much for your support. I am home now and very tired. I could not thank every post individually. I am really tired and so happy to be home. The nurses and staff were over all great. There were many "teachable moments" and I think maybe a few people have moved forward in their thinking about LGBTQ people.

That's it for now. Again, thanks so much for all the love and support of both me and Julie. Julie has gone above and beyond. I have to tell you, to be loved so much by her really changes my perspective on so many things.

Namaste.

Greyson

I am still stunned and awed that you are upish and about a week after surgery. Go ahead rock star!

How Could I Forget?
 

Sorry, I forgot to thank Princessbelle. This community is very fortunate to have her and I am grateful for belle's long friendship. Belle, thank you for starting this thread and giving moral support to Julie. You are a compassionate woman, intelligent and a Nurse that shares so much of your knowledge.

BTW, Happy Nurses Day. I know if you were my nurse, I would make a point of letting your supervisor know, buy you a token of my appreciation, and yes flirt with you a bit.

Grey

So glad your surgery went well and it seems that you are up and about ^5!

ok, well ^5 at waist level anyway ;) *supa-stahhh

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No more updates...he must be keeping Julie busy....wink wink!

Hugs

Very busy. He is doing really well! Walks around the block and lots of napping. Many doctor appointments this week. I am a little stir crazy but so blessed to be able to be home with him.

Oh Geez well we can all see Greyson is getting back to his old self again. (rolling eyes) hahahah Just ribbing ya buddy somebody has to give you a hard time so I picked me. :)

Lord, i just saw this thread . I need to browse more!!!!
Im glad youre feeling much better and your procedure went well !!!
If i were your nurse id keep ya pain and nausea Free :)

I had my first follow up doctor appointment today with the surgeon. I felt like I was on a field trip on a beautiful California Spring day. Julie and I had lunch at the hospital cafeteria. When I was in the hospital Julie ate there a lot. She had nothing but kudos for the hospital cafeteria. The food is good, nutritional and reasonably priced. For Julie to like cafeteria food was amazing. She is a bit of a foodie. Me, I will eat almost anything. Maybe not so much anymore. Although I did not have heart disease, I am changing my diet. More veggies and fruit, less red meat and carbs.

You know, I did not even realize I had a malfunctioning heart valve and an enlarged heart. No heart attack, no chest pain, no shortness of breath. The heart condition was found by chance because I had a chest xray done for something unrelated to heart health.

I am very physically strong, good genes but this has also kept me in some denial about how I take care of myself, or lack there of. For me, losing weight is no longer just about how I look. This has really opened my eyes to yet another layer in my life onion. I appreciate the love and support of many here. How could it not feel inspiring to know people out there really do care?

Tomorrow I have another follow up appointment but with the cardiologist. Well really with his P.A. The P.A. is a white straight man and has treated me with nothing but professionalism, great bed side manner and respect.

There is much for me to learn, evaluate, consider and give back in this entire experience. Did I have fear? You bet. It did cross my mind that I may not wake up from surgery. I am not afraid of dying but I was afraid of not having lived some of my dreams, goals and leaving many people behind that I love.

I will say this, do not put off your life, your hopes, dreams and forgiving others and Yourself.

Truer words were never spoken.....

Also, so glad the both of you are doing well......


Katniss~~

Hello everyone! Greyson is still healing but is hurting a lot. We have heard this is common when the sternum starts to mend. He will be five weeks post surgery on Wednesday. Any words of encouragement from those of you who have experienced this would be great. He says he feelis like a truck ran over him. The last few days have been almost as bad as when he first got home. He is taking Tylenol and that helps. It makes it hard for him to get his exercise. He's feeling a little blue and hopes the healing will be done soon.

Ooooo goodie I get to give advice! LOL

I am post surgery 2007, and my sternum is still an issue. That being said, it is more annoying than anything.

My sternam is wired together, as I imagine yours is? I still feel pulling when I try to lift a heavy object, and for the longest time because of the healing process the area itched like the dickens!

One thing I have noticed is that I now have to "stretch" the area by tilting my head back slowly and letting the muscles lengthen. There was so much pain involved for a while that I kept my chin close to my chest, causing the area to contract and not feel as "free in movement" as it once was.

Be careful to stay sitting, standing or exercising as much as posssible...I gave into the pain and laid around just long enough to wind up back at the Hospital with Pneumonia.

My pain level got better around the 3 month mark...it truely takes a full year for everything to heal and mend on the inside, just as with most major surgeries.

Take care of yourselves!

Many Blessings,

Cindy

Ok! Very helpful! Yes he is wired together. The chin thing sounds very helpful. I know his muscles are all bunched up because he is protecting his sternum. He is getting out more after two days of really resting a lot. It is hard to hear that he will be hurting for awhile more. Luckily he is off work long enough to fully recover and get stronger. Thank you so much for posting. It helps a lot to hear from someone who knows what it feels like!

Good news is that thirtysomething years after my surgery I have almost no problems with the surgical site. Every so often I will get a sharp stab pain near the top of the scar where I have a little bone fragment protruding. That smarts when I knock it but otherwise I have no residual pain from it. I was a toddler when my sternum got into a fight with a surgeon's saw so not sure if my age at the time has any baring on the healing. When I was a child (probably 2 or 3 years post surgical) I know I had some pain there with deep breaths. Sorry I can't be more helpful!