Memory: 1 Year Ago

June 8, 2023

I wasn't going to post this memory because one year ago today, I was a massive physical wreck following quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery in March 2022 and two chest surgeries in May 2022. Then, I thought, why not? I am so fortunate and blessed to be comparatively better than I was on this date last year and, for that matter, the rest of the year and into 2023.

While I have had a tough recovery that is continuing, I want you to know that I am so much better than I was last year. While I am still experiencing numbness and some pain in my chest, it is not even close to the pain I experienced for almost all of last year and into this year.

By the way, I didn't return home until July 21, 2022. I entered the hospital on May 13, 2022, and was transferred to a physical rehabilitation facility on June 3, 2022. So, I was away from home for a total of 70 days.

For specific information, you can read my post from last year (below).

If Facebook blurred the photo (below), click/tap on "learn more," and then click/tap on "see photo."

1 Year Ago

June 8, 2022 - This early afternoon, the wound vacuum dressing was changed from within and on my chest in my room here at the physical rehabilitation facility. (See photo below.) It needs to be changed every three days. My previous change was on June 1, 2022. My next change will be on June 10, 2022. I have an appointment with my surgeon on June 13, 2022, so the dressing will again be changed on that date at his office.

WOUND VACUUM: Pieces of foam are stuffed into the wounds within my chest. I have seven sutures within my chest which leave seven open wounds. A long piece of thin foam padding covers my wounds. Tape placed on and around the foam forms a vacuum seal. One end of a hose is then snapped onto the foam with the other end attached to an electric-powered wound vacuum. The vacuum continuously sucks out discharge and infected blood from within my chest. It also helps to heal my many wounds faster by pulling and holding the skin around my wounds closer together.

Recent Medical Events (2022):

MARCH 9: I had Quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

MAY 13: I entered the hospital emergency room with severe pain within my chest and within my central back; also, I was admitted to the hospital on the same day.

MAY 19: I had surgery to have metal sternal plates removed from within my chest; and to have a wound vacuum installed to suck out a severe staph infection from within my chest from my recent open-heart surgery.

MAY 25: My plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the wound vacuum from within my chest; cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest; and mostly closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. At that time, he installed a drain and replaced the wound vacuum.

MAY 29: An associate of my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the drain within my chest and replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

JUNE 1: Another associate of my plastic reconstructive surgeon replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

JUNE 3: I was transported by ambulance from the hospital to a physical rehabilitation facility, where I am currently residing. My six-week regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic infusions ends on June 30, 2022, so I will remain here at least until then. My release will ultimately be governed by how healed my chest it.