Home Sweet Home… Sort Of

Home Sweet Home… Sort Of

The Unexpected Challenges of Recovery After Lung Surgery

It's day three.

I'm getting around on my own with my handy dandy walker friend. And let me tell you, regaining even a little independence feels pretty good.

Especially since I haven't seen much of a nurse in hours.

During morning rounds, Gene, the nurse practitioner, informs me that my chest tube will be removed today.

Wonderful! One step closer to going home.

One Last Deep Breath

A couple of hours later, Gene returns with her student followers.

"Breathe in and out when I tell you."

Again.

"One last time. Now exhale."

OMG. THE PAIN!

I screamed. I knew it wouldn't be pleasant, but I wasn't prepared for just how painful it would be.

I'm sure there wasn't an easier way, but that experience left me feeling traumatized.

Another reminder that knowing how a procedure works and actually experiencing it are two very different things.

The Decision to Go Home

After talking with James, we decided I would be discharged home that evening.

My pain was reasonably controlled with medication, I was getting around, and honestly, the nursing care hadn't been great.

I remember thinking, I can't do much worse at home.

Well… about that.

Home Sweet Home… Sort Of

Once we arrived home, reality hit pretty quickly.

Our bed? Too high for me to climb into.

Our couches? Too deep to comfortably get in and out of.

The toilets? Too low, with no handrails for support.

Seriously? How had I not thought about any of this before surgery?

I had spent so much time preparing for the surgery itself that I hadn't given much thought to what everyday life would look like once I got home.

And the truth is, whether I came home on day three or day five, these challenges would have been waiting for us.

Thankfully, one bathroom had a counter nearby for support, and we had a recliner that was much easier to maneuver.

Since the television was about to become my primary companion, a little furniture rearranging was in order.

My new recovery headquarters was officially established!

The First Night Home

That first night wasn't exactly restful.

Getting comfortable was difficult. Moving was painful. Even the simplest tasks required more effort than I expected.

James took over managing my medications and helping me with just about everything, all while continuing to work remotely.

Neither of us had anticipated how exhausting those first days would be.

Somehow, we managed. I slept on and off, adjusted my position more times than I could count, and slowly began figuring out this new temporary normal.

It wasn't pretty. It certainly wasn't comfortable.

But I was home.

Where Healing Begins

There's some truth to the saying that healing really begins once you're home.

Not because everything suddenly becomes easier. Sometimes it actually becomes harder.

Looking back, I realize how much time we spend preparing for surgery itself, but not necessarily for the everyday challenges waiting afterward.

Getting into bed. Using the bathroom. Finding a comfortable place to sit. Having someone available to help.

Those little things suddenly become big things.

Recovery isn't just about healing from surgery. It's about learning how to navigate everyday life while your body heals.

And for me, that journey was just beginning.

To be continued…