it feels good to feel more like myself again

the speed of my recovery continues to amaze me. i can do so much more at two and a half weeks post-op then i ever thought possible. being able to shower, get dressed (in real clothes), do my own hair and makeup makes me look and feel more like myself. i feel like my life is resuming... slowly but surely. i still need help doing many household things (cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping etc) but am enjoying letting others do it for me. for the next three weeks, i'll be doing my post-op doctor visits, then it's cardiac rehab time. i'm officially off all meds, even for pain. what little pain i have still is in my lower ribs. weird... i think it must be from the chest tubes. my incision is still tight but almost completely healed over, and i can feel the stitches underneath stretch and pull on occasion. every once and a while i'll try to do something and will be reminded quickly by my sternum that it is not yet healed. i still get some minor discomfort from that, and i still can't put my arms up on a table, but all in all i'm almost pain free.

it's new years eve and we're planning a really relaxed night at home. a fun dinner, some fun snacks and great friends. we're going to play games, drink (non-alchoholic for those with healing hearts) and hopefully laugh a lot. i'm looking forward to it.

have a safe and happy new year!
shannon