The small world of healing

Since I came home on Wednesday I've lived in a pretty small world. After going out on Thursday for a brief trip to the store and finding out that speed bumps are not surgery friendly no matter how slow you go over them, I've stayed in the house or ventured out on some very short walks around the block. Even with 142 channels on cable, bunches of books and lots of music, it feels confined and enclosed. What it really is though is the lack of freedom.  Can't do anything on a whim. No getting in the car to run to the store or to go get a mocha at Starbucks. The one thing that is so much better than the hospital is the food. At least I can eat what I want and like. The menu offered in the hospital is below. Even though they try to dress it up with a fancy "Room Service" title it still was bland, sucky food. 

The other nice thing about being home is the clothes you get to wear. While it may not be everyday wear because it needs to be very loose and easy on and off, it is way better than open in the back smocks they have you wear in the hospital. I had to wear a yellow one because all surgery patients are considered fall risks and it lets the nurses and orderlies know you can't be out walking around on your own. 

Hospital attire

Home attire. Not real fashionable but comfy.

Hospitals

My hospital stay ended up being 3 days. Surgery was Monday morning and got out on Wednesday afternoon. It was interesting to see the technology integrated into the hospital. The hospital has been opened 3 months and was state of the art in many ways. A few rough spots in people and procedures but cool communications and surgery areas. Lots of monitoring equipment with all kinds of alarms. These went off all night long, making sleep difficult. 

The board below is up in the room and keeps both the patient and care team updated as things change. It also had a conventional white board built into it so notes could be written even if you didn't have access by computer. We kept track of the distance Diane and I walked around the floor for surgery recovery.