One week down. I joke and say as an experience on Trip Advisor, open heart surgery rates no stars. A very humbling experience. I was in bay one for two nights then the isolation room for the next two.
ICU has a series of open bays separated by curtains with a central area for medical and nursing staff where they have a clear view of all, except the isolation room. Sounds like the name for one of those group games where you try and escape, the panic room? I was placed in the isolation room because one of my surgical team tested positive for covid.
No visitors allowed whilst they awaited my pcr results, which seemed very slow for something tagged urgent. The room was quiet. ICU is a noisy place with an array of monitors bleeping and lots chatter. The room gave me peace. No extra sleep though! Solid sleep evaded me. Getting comfortable a seemingly impossible art. Once my negative covid test came back my door could be opened, and I took this photo carefully as just to the right is a fully intubated older lady.
I watch the staff working on her and caring for her. I realise that the same dedication they are showing her, was given to me just a few days before. I became emotional with gratitude. It is very humbling to watch their care, dedication, professionalism and empathy. Ups and downs. Feeling a bit better, then miserable over anything and everything. I gather that is quite normal for this stage.
Cardiac blues. I am eating again although appetite wanes from day to day. I am drinking heaps in particular coconut water, per my surgeons request potassium for the heart. I am walking. I have seen the physiotherapist daily and my exercises have increased. I can now do 5 x m plus walks with a few of those having some stairs. It is hard work and I huff and puff and have a heart rate far higher than pre surgery for the same exercise.
