<p>“I am still a bit tired and weak. I am napping regularly.”</p>
<p>I hope that you are feeling better…I’m glad that both parents are taking care of you.</p>
<p>We can wait for you to inform us later. Please rest and don’t worry about to answering our postings.</p>
<p>Follow the instructions of the Doctor: It is imperative that you rest and get better soon. Don’t try to move if you were instructed to rest. Best wishes Owen!</p>
<p>So happy to hear your operation was successful.</p>
<p>*Wow, you are well enough to post already! Sorry about the added complications, but it is great to learn that your surgery was successful.</p>
<p>Best wishes for your speedy recovery!!*</p>
<p>Thanks for letting us know how you are doing- but don’t push yourself- if I was in your shoes I would be asking for the heavy drugs so I could tolerate daytime television.
;)</p>
<p>Thank-you for posting to let us know you are doing fine. Your parents are pulling together for you. Feel better soon.</p>
<p>I hope your recovery is smooth. So glad to hear that you are doing fine and your parents are working it all out. Nap as needed, feel better soon.</p>
<p>So glad things went well. Please rest!</p>
<p>Owen… so glad to hear from you! Although the bar was not expected, it is what Nuss is known for. He would not have put it in if wasn’t necessary. Make sure you do your breathing exercises. They are uncomfortable for sure, but it’s much worse if you wait. It’s wonderful that both parents have been there. They have seen how intensive your care has been and have a much better idea of what you will need when you return home.</p>
<p>Another note of advise, when the nurses ask what your level of pain is from 1-10… don’t be a hero. There is no prize for the one who takes the least pain meds. In fact if you are in more pain then necessary, you will be less mobile and not rest as well, which will slow your recovery. You will be tired and weak for some time to come. Your energy will not return nearly as soon as you want. The important thing is to keep your activity as directed, not overdo, and rest, rest, rest. Keep a journal of things you may want to ask questions about. You will forget. If you are experiencing pain that is ‘different’ (I know you hurt everywhere right now, but this will subside, I promise!) make notes of what you were doing, how often, etc. This is important. We just saw my son’s surgeon on Wednesday. He’s having pain that is different than the nerve regeneration he’s grown accustomed to. It was important that he could explain where, and when it is happening.</p>
<p>Also, ask your parents to keep detailed notes on when you are given all meds and any possible reactions. If you are having any reactions (upset stomach, pain breakthrough, etc.), the timing will be important. My son was sick after we got home, however by the timing we were able to eliminate a reaction to the meds. He got a virus at the hospital… poor guy! If we hadn’t kept records they would have changed pain meds which wouldn’t have helped, and could have left him in more pain.</p>
<p>So glad to hear from you. Rest as much as you can and don’t get discouraged if you feel great one day and kind of lousy the next. You are going to do great. Your job is to rest and follow Dr’s orders for physical therapy, and to let your parents know how you are feeling. Let the adults do their job!</p>
<p>Sending very best wishes from my son and myself!! :)</p>
<p>btw, I asked my son about something to reduce his scars recently. He said ‘Are you kidding me? They are battle wounds. They are such a chick magnet!!’. I about lost it because my son is pretty quiet. So someday you might not mind the scars. I do know he gets a lot of attention with the medical ID bracelet… for some reason the girls think it’s pretty cool. Go figure? :)</p>
<p>Thank you for all the support! I am quite tired and have only been able to skim through posts. Today has been my worst day ever. I cannot describe the pain I am in, but I know it will get Better soon. I will write back with more soon.</p>
<p>Owen - my brother had a similar surgery 40± years ago and he is doing great! Just wanted you to know we are all pulling for you to get well soon!</p>
<p>Owen,
Rest, rest, rest. As much as you want to post, just read, or ask someone to read to you. Just holding your arms properly to type is extremely hard work. Know that you have many people here who are sending the most positive thoughts and best wishes your way. We will be here when you feel well enough to check in. I am keeping you in my thoughts and hope that you will find a restful peace.
BI</p>
<p>I just have finished breakfast and have bounced back from yesterday. I am using my father’s iPhone, so it is not a strain to reply at all. As far as the bar goes I had a modified Ravitch procedure (not Nuss), and the bar was not expected to be needed. Unfortunately it was implemented. I am eating better than I did yesterday, and am watching the Today Show. Thanks for all of your wishes.</p>
<p>And my pain is actually concentrated to my chest, so that is no shocker. My pain has been increasing and I am not trying to be a hero. I am looking forward to heading out of the hospital and using my wheel chair for the airport (wheel chairs are surprisingly fun for me).</p>
<p>Sorry if I am rambling.</p>
<p>I am glad to hear the rambling. It was always a signal of how S2 was feeling. Talking was good, quiet generally… not so much. Since you have moved off IV pain meds you have taking a HUGE hurdle (I mean HUGE) in pain management! You should be able to find a decent level of comfort quickly. </p>
<p>I’m sorry if I refer to Nuss, I do know you had the Ravitch which was a longer line and involved your ribs. I associate Nuss with Kings in Norfolk. He perfected much of the changes and modification from the Ravitch, setting the procedure ahead 20years. You were in good hands! </p>
<p>I don’t know where you traveled from (that is private and absolutely none of my business…not for internet) however I’m just pointing out your parents obviously sought out the best medical care they could find for you and made it happen. I know it seemed like an eternity to wait, but you are on the flip side now. You will see such a difference. In a week, look at your chest. You won’t believe the difference! And you’ll feel amazing…those deep breaths. Wow! Sorry…now I’m rambling. I just know what an emotional journey it was for us. You know the physical, you don’t expect the emotional to be so great.</p>
<p>…and yes the wheelchair is pretty cool 
Very small things will fire your jets. I remember walking in my son’s room and freaking out because he had his elec. guitar…which weighed more than 5lbs and you got it had been on the floor. About that time he showed me ‘look mom, I can use my leg!!’. Sure enough he used his leg alone as a lever, or fulcrum, whatever, to lift that guitar to his lap/hands. Where there is a distinct will, you will find a way to do what you want…even with the restrictions through the next few months.</p>
<p>Rest, rest, rest Be well. Let adults do what adults are supposed to do right now, which is take care of YOU. All you have to do is follow Dr’s orders. Let them work out the rest. Blessings for a safe journey home. Just being in the fresh air will be amazing.</p>
<p>Peace.</p>
<p>Glad to hear the update. Rest is important, don’t skimp. Keep on top of the pain, it can drain a lot of energy.
I hope the trip home is safe and as comfortable as possible.</p>
<p>Owen,
S2 asked for an update. He could relate. He wanted me to pass on “You can use your toes for a ton of things…picking up stuff with your toes to arms reach becomes second nature since you can’t bend well, lean over, etc. For the stuff over 5lbs just keep on a chair next to you, or on your bed so you don’t have to lift it. You can slide it onto your lap pretty easily in a few days. If your friends want to come visit tell them your parents said they had to wait lol! It will make your really tired man!”.</p>
<p>I feel like I am doing well. </p>
<p>I am annoyed that my pecs are numb, but I’ll get over that soon. I am out of the hospital, and in the RMD House. We have another meeting tomorrow with the surgeon, and then we fly out on Thursday.</p>
<p>I was annoyingly feeling poorly this morning. I slept and rambled through the meeting with the surgeon. A few hours later, after only eating a few strawberries and feeling well I got sick. I am not sure why, I was just a little nauseous.</p>
<p>My favorite tennis player lost in the French Open today, so I am kind of (really) upset about that. Anyway, I was able to watch Glee today, and I am in bed right now about to go to sleep.</p>
<p>I’ll update more later on.</p>
<p>Sorry for double post/bump.</p>
<p>I slept in the RMD House. I woke up like 5 times in bad pain and didn’t sleep for more than two hours at a time.</p>
<p>Owen,
Sorry you are frustrated. You will feel ups and downs. You will tend to exert yourself when you are feeling good, which will lead to a bit of sliding the next day. Each time you make a change (ie, move from hospital to RMD, plane, home, meds) there will be a day or so to recover. Just expect change=one day recovery and maybe you won’t be so frustrated. When you get to the point you don’t need that extra day, it will be a bonus!</p>
<p>The upset stomach can be any number of reasons… meds, nerves, movement, pain. Just make sure you are letting your parents know and they are recording EVERYTHING. They have so much to remember right now. If they do need to call the hospital with a question, they will need to recall specifics and relation to medication to see if changes need to be made. You don’t want to mess with pain meds once on board if they are not the culprit.</p>
<p>You are numb because A) pain meds and that’s a GOOD thing! and B) many of your nerves have been severed. You may go through several months of minor shooting pain at the incisions as those nerves regenerate. If your Dr. hasn’t mentioned this ask if you should be expected anything like this. A year and a half later S2 still has this. It is not bad, just annoying.</p>
<p>Your sleep may be disturbed in part because you have been in the hospital where you have been woken up every few hours for meds, vitals, beepers, buzzers, meals, drs., etc. The move to the RMD is another change where you are sleeping in a different place, etc. You must be very, very anxious to be home and settled. </p>
<p>It’s good to hear an update. Just think of every day as one closer to recovery. Double post anytime you want! Be well. Safe travels home Thursday.</p>
<p>Peace.</p>
<p>Thank your S2 for the advice! I feel as if showering is the most liberating thing I can do. And the advice about reaching things has helped a great deal! It helps me feel that much closer to being 100% (a long way off, though I did have a good day today).</p>
<p>Travel day tomorrow, mom will be upset when I have to go with father until Sunday. Father and mother and I have the same flights, so it will be interesting.</p>
<p>Have a safe flight. Don’t over do it. I hope your parents will work it out. I can’t blame your mother being upset. You’ll have cell phone so you could keep her updated with texts</p>
<p>I had a safe flight :-).</p>
<p>Now at my dad’s house I have been miserable. He began by lecturing me (with strong anger overtones) about how my mom mis-used the meds. He was saying that the ibuprofen was to be taken every six hours; regardless if I were in more pain, perhaps requiring a loratab.</p>
<p>I have been very stresssed and have been visibly upset several times, and I have not been here for three hours. My dad’s house has created a horrible environment, no one seems to care or want to acknowledge me at most times.</p>