Has it really been a month?

Who wouldn't be THRILLED to come home to this guy???

 

Well its true! Yesterday marked one month since my resection. It is hard to believe, it seems so fresh. I am still overwhelmed looking back on everything and seeing how clearly God layed out everything for us and brought support to us. We are still receiving cards of encouragement...some from people we know and others from people we don't. I am still struggling with thank you not being enough. We have been so loved and so encouraged. Jason and I both pray that we will allow God to use us however we are suppose to be used and without holding ourselves back.

I am doing very well. Each day gets a little easier. It is soooo nice to be done with the crutches! It has been almost 2 months since that surgery. I am still in a boot for a couple more weeks. My foot is a little weak and still swells if I am on it to much but the pain is better and I am able to get around pretty well. As for my throat/breathing... I can now go up the stairs without becoming short of breath and make it through books when reading with my kids. I am still slowly increasing activity so we will see how it goes. I started driving yesterday which makes me both happy (freedom) and nervous. I am able to move my neck from side to side pretty well and it is beginning to loosen up when I nod up and down. I can't lean my head all the way back and I try not to turn from side to side to quickly. Part of it is nervousness and the other is that it is so tight. I am avoiding rush hour for now :) Hopefully I will be able to go for a massage sometime soon to help with some of that.

I started talking a few days ago. My voice is a little deeper than usual. The stenosis was 5mm from my vocal cords. I think it will probably become more "normal" with time. I can't really project my voice and my hoarseness comes and goes....all will improve with time I am sure. I still am restricted on cheering, screaming, singing...and so on. I never realized how much singing I do to my kids! Poor babies..lol, clean-up songs, washing songs, patience songs...they are all on hold for now :)  It feels strange when I swallow. Almost like my throat is moving up and down in an extreme motion. I did have Jason watch me to make sure this isn't the case! lol. It also still feels a bit swollen and I have to concentrate a little more when I swallow and my throat feels very dry most of the time. I try to keep water with me to help with this. The incision is looking better and better. The last part of the scab fell off a couple days ago. I am still having some deep tissue pain where the JP drain was but nothing so intense that I can't handle :) My energy level is improving and I can BREATH! I think my body had become quite use to a very dangerous situation....my body was use to living breathless to the point of me not even noticing it as much as those around me. Its scary. I am very thankful.

For my follow-up I will be sending tracheal series x-rays to Boston for Dr. Mathisen to review. I will do this next week. I have heard that you do this again at 3 months but Dr. M hasn't said that to me yet. Other than that I just take it slow, enjoy breathing, and listen to my body. My surgeon has a 95% success rate so I am very hopeful. I know this was a lot of rambling about how I am doing but I know that there are several others that have just been through their resections or are about to go through them and I hope that they can read this as a reference of what to expect.

Today is my first day completely on my own. I made breakfast ("made" is defined loosely ), packed Ben's lunch, dropped him off at school, attended a PTA meeting, went to Walmart, bought presents for B-day parties this weekend, picked up lunch, and just layed Isaac down for his nap (it is now noon). I am pretty tired so I will probably take a little break before continuing on with todays "to-do" list. I am so glad to be home and trying to get back into a normal routine. It is wonderful to be able to hug, hold, and laugh with the kids, to spend time with family and friends, and to be able to attend church again. I even made it up to the unit (neuro ICU) one night to visit with co-workers/friends. I am taking it slow but can't wait to be 100% again!!!

1 month ago!

Today! The difference a month makes! Love my Lizzie!