Day 4 Post-Op

I'm feeling pretty good. I have been evaluated by physical therapy am now safe to go to the bathroom by myself and walk in the hallway by myself. If I walk and turn my head, I feel a little unsteady, but that was it. I think I'll have lots of mall walking time with my mom when I get out.

I forgot to talked about removing the drain. After 2 days of having a drain set up to connect my CSF to the outside world, they thought the drainage was minimal and wanted to take it out.  At first it was very red, but then it started looking like koolade( a good sign). That was a signal for it to be taken out. The nurse practioner cut the stitch holding the drain in place and then pulled the drain out. That didn't hurt at all. What hurt was she sterilized the area and put in stitch to close the hole where the drain came out.  That hurt, but it was over quickly.

The wa the first step of my progress.

After the drain got pulled, I got to be a normal hospital room, not the ICU. This meant I could get up and use the bathroom and even walk around if I want to.  It is really strange standing up after I had been laying down for 2 days. That and half of my vestibular system not working.

I have been a little more ache last night and today because they are decreasing my steroids. They had me on Decadron 10mg q 6hrs, and now I am on 4mg q 8 hours.  I will just have to keep up with my pain medications to compensate for this.

Biggest news.....I'm home!

The doctor came in and asked if I wanted to leave on Monday. I said okay, but I was ready to go now.  I was just getting bored there and I felt like I could do everything I needed to at home. The doctor's nurse practioner actually filled out the discharge planning the day before, so they were ready for me to leave.

I left the hospital around noon and Aaron got me set up on a couch and I snoozed there a little while. It feels really nice to be home, even if I am going to be a sloth.

I have occasional headaches, but my main issue is my tongue. It is healing and getting smaller, but I still don't trust myself with any sort of texture. I have this prescription mouthwash that is working, so I will keep doing that.

Now that I am home, Aaron doesn't have to split his life an two and he might actually stay awake for a whole Royals game.  I might watch a little too. Should be fun to be normal for a little bit.

I'm just happy and grateful that things are going so well and that I have great friends and family.  I imagined this being much worse than it truly was and I have everyone to thank.

Thank you,