Nissen set for April 21

Good Morning! Happy to hear your progress and that you finally got through your show. I was tired a lot I initially as well. As for the shoulder pain, it could still be the gas but possibly inflaming your previous pain. I found pain meds didn't work on it either. Otherwise it could also be irritation of the Vagus Nerve as it is often felt in the left or both shoulders. Heat helped mine too. I still get shoulder pain from eating but my recovery has been a little skewed. Avoiding aggravating your shoulders is good but if you have rotator cuff injuries, watch you do not develop a frozen shoulder from not using it too.

Clothes today.....awesome. Lol. I always showered but put pj's on to lounge in for prob a week. They are lose and comfy. Bras were tough for a long time.

Happy healing
Debra

Greetings Bev,
I am so glad you are beginning to feel on the mend. Getting dressed is a big deal! And what clothes are going to suit best depends in great part on where the incisions are.

Toritone - I was surprised to be able to comfortably wear a bra on day 3 post op. (With Lap lung surgery a few years back, I could not wear a bra for a couple of months. I wore a cami and loose tops for a while, then progressed to sports bras. Both would spread the control pressure over a larger area.) But this time, jeans are a challenge because of where my low incision is. For the first two days, I only wore a big loose shirt of my husbands. Just a shirt - that's all. Then I added my loosest low waist briefs. I still have to watch even elastic pants. At home, I have a couple pair of drawstring lounging pants the I can keep loosely tied. Comfort really counts in keeping a positive healing attitude.

Bev- I laughed when I read your 'show' story. I was forever falling asleep in the middle of things, even conversations with my husband. And I also share problems with previous shoulder pain. I have been in therapy for over a year. Mild exercise helps keeps them loose, but moderate exercise was not building strength, just adding to pain. Massage was wonderful. My shoulder specialist says surgery is my next option there. Heat, gentle stretches for relaxation, restricting my lifting, and being careful about sleep positions have all helped keep it managable for now. With all the naps I take, I have had to get out the heat packs a number of times. I have been thinking of making an appointment with my physical therapist for shoulder/neck massage.
Blessings for a good day of healing tomorrow.
Barb

Day 7. I am doing great. I have been able to eat pasta, chicken, even a crepe type of pancake, and soft butter cookies. No pain meds at all yesterday. I am back on them today, because I was in the car for a long trip to Rochester and back. My son had an emergency appendectomy the day before my NF. He was sent by ambulance last night to Mayo because of complications. I rode over today to visit him. He may be there a couple more days. I went to Olive Garden after visiting him. I brought half of the soup and most of the pasta home. It was delicious and I had no trouble at all the soft diet I got from my hospital says nothing about coffee, but I have read it is not advised on here. Did anyone try it? I am tempted to try it. Barb, thanks for checking in. I will check on you on your thread.

Hi Bev,
I hope your son is on the mend soon. You are fortunate to be so close to Mayo. Travel does jostle up all those organs that were moved around and are still trying to settle back in place. I found being comfortable was more important than being too 'brave.'

And coffee, chocolate and any other 'avoid' foods for the soft diet are usually for the duration of the soft diet. As Debra said, I think it is mostly the caffeine that is the problem. You might be able to do decaf? Ask your doctor when you go for your postop visit. I am not a coffee drinker, so it has not been an issue on my radar. But, I specifically asked about chocolate (definitely on my radar!) and was told it should be avoided for the duration of the soft food diet.

Thinking of you, and your son. Keep us updated on his progress too.

Barb

I was thinking of you this morning, hoping you and your son were doing well, sounds like he is in very good hands. I can't imagine having to worry about one of my children while recovering from this surgery, you are a really strong person. Please don't forget to take care of yourself.

Keith

Thanks Debra, yes I have discovered a little more pain and less energy. I am taking it slow. I have my first postop checkup tomorrow. I remember your posts from your recovery and how you had so much going on. Life goes on and sometimes it does hit us when we're down, but almost always there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Day 13 I am a star patient according to my dr. Everything is better than anticipated. That being said, I too, just like Barb, must be in the height of the swelling. I am having a hard time today. I feel stuffed, uncomfortably full after eating anything. I have a knot at the back oh my throat and I feel sort of achy all over and nauseous. I think I will try a couple of Aleve. I really don't like the oxy. It makes me so tired and groggy. Have a good weekend all. I hope when I check in again all will be better.

Hi Bev,
Just popping in to say, Hi. Glad to hear you and your son are both healing. I have my postop visit tomorrow. It will be nice to be on the other side of that. A kind of "marker" that says we are at the next stage of our recovery journey.

May you be finding joy in this beautiful spring day.

Barb

Hi Bev,

All that discomfort inside is a result of peak swelling. Soon, it will begin to resolve, and you'll gradually become more comfortable. Sometimes it's hard to remember that your insides went through major surgery, even though your outsides don't look it. Glad to hear you're eating is going well. Just always remember to take small bites and chew, chew, chew!

Sorry your son had a relapse, but glad to hear they figured out what was wrong and the treatment is successful!

Hang in there, and happy healing!
Denise