At work there is a term called a SME (pronounced smeee), an acronym for Subject Matter Expert: is an individual with in-depth knowledge of the subject and the motivation to transfer their knowledge to others. Apparently I have become a Cardiac Bypass Survivor SME.
Gayle’s long time friend’s brother had bypass surgery on this past Thursday, quadruple. He had asked his sister to make sure I came by to visit.
What provoked him to ask for me was his frustration with the Dr.s answers to his questions. How long will this take, what happens next, etc. Except, I don’t remember much, but some of it is coming back……
In preparation for the visit, Gayle and I were trying to come up with a list of items that were of use to me in my recovery period.
Cocoa Butter stick: When Gayle first bought this at CVS, it was 99 cents. They have now discontinued it, reformulated it (adding Vitamin E) and charging more for less product. It was recommended by our dr practitioner. If you ever had a large scar, you will know at times feel like it crinkles like a peppermint candy wrapper. Well, this softens the area, especially after a hot shower in the morning.
Micro bead pillow: At little Co of Mary hospital, they gave me a heart shaped pillow to hold against my chest when I coughed. That helps hold things in and makes coughing less painful.
After a while my pillow was pretty filthy from various fluids leaking out of the various cutouts of my body. They also give you a pen for people to sign like a cast, so Gayle would not let me wash it for fear of washing out the ink.
I found a micro bead pillow helped a lot and I took it everywhere. It comes in handy especially in the car when you wife speeds through dips and you need a cushion between you and the seat belt. It also helps during those cat naps in the car. It is easily washed.
Long shoe horn**: These are typically found at Japanese stores or IKEA. It is a two foot long shoe horn so you don’t have to bend over to put your shoes on. They don’t want you using slippers when walking.
Oxygen sensor: It looks like a giant fat cloths pin that fits over the tip of your finger. It gives you readings on what percentage of oxygen is getting into your blood stream. When it got low, I would have to use the oxygen tank.
Picker**: these are those extension claws with a trigger handle that are marketed for the AARP generation. There are times when things are just out of your reach and you just can’t quite bend or extend to reach it. I found that it can also pull your socks up.
Aleve: I had reactions to Vicadin and therefore was told to use Aleve. It worked great and only had to take it twice a day.
Bath chair**: You are not allowed a bath until the incisions heal, and long showers is tough when you can’t stand long. We have a hand held shower head and I sat on a plastic stool that fit in the tub.
Handicap rails**: Another item from the Jeff days, we installed them in the front porch and bathroom which helped immensely.
Boxers: Tidy Widys (briefs) don’t work that well in terms of removing or putting them on. They are a lot easier to change without bending.
Hassock, Ottoman, foot rest, cushion, etc.: Something to prop the veinless leg up onto to keep it elevated.
Pillows, pillows, pillows and more pillows: I don’t think I laid flat for at least 3 months. You sleep slightly propped up. Some medical supply stores have triangle shaped cushions, I prefer pillows.
Loose t-shirts or Hawaiian shirts: Tight fitting tees don’t remove easily, when going out Hawaiian type shirts were great, they were loose and easy to put on and remove. But Hawaiian shirts and basketball shorts don’t make a fashion statement.
Things I didn’t use: Walkers, canes, sandals. I preferred to walk without assistance, even though Jordan would shadow me from a distance. When you walk without an aide, you walk like a 1 year old; you tend to occasionally veer to one side or for a split second lose your balance but not fall. “Whoa” or “oops” was a common utterance that would send anyone in earshot running.
Support hose: I didn’t use it but was told that it helps on the leg where they took out the vein. To this day, it is swollen and stiff in the morning
Note: The main limitation they impose is to not lift anything over one gallon of milk which is about 8 lbs. This seems like a redundant reminder, since you can easily feel the pain when trying to lift anything. But as rules go, you tend to ignore them. Even though it hurts, you for some reason still try to lift heavy items. And when you do, it sets back your healing just a bit until the next time you do it again.
** These items were already in place and were installed or purchased when Jeff had his back surgery. As stated in previous posts, if I ever move or remodel, these items will be incorporated. Especially the handicap rails.
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