The final tube

Back blip

Lugging this around has been a pain, but today the doctors said it could come out of my chest!!! Possibly discharge tomorrow........fingers crossed.

I had to lie flat in bed for 2hrs after it was removed and the purse string suture tightened. There were also 3 wires/cables alongside which had to stay until after the 2hr period I case of problems. But all went well.

The physio did her round and I walked further that previously and she was pleased !!!!

She explained about my ribs which were cut down the centre of the sternum/breastbone. They were wired up after the op and will take 4 weeks to start healing and 12 weeks to be stable. I cannot raise my hands above my head and I’m not allowed to carry anything....repeat anything!!!

I’m getting a lot of rib pain on the right side and under the shoulder blade. That’s normal apparently!!! A bit of the magic jel when I get home should do the trick......I hope.

My neck and chest wounds have dissolvable stitches so will sort themselves out. But the clips in my collarbone area will be taken out by the district nurse next week.

You start this post op journey like a clothes horse and spend days discarding items.

My owl slippers were greatly admired by many nurses, but will be going home to be cared for by Amber.

I’m longing to get normal taste back as it’s difficult to eat the necessary diet to get stronger.