One week post op.....open heart surgery

The grandparents have stopped by, one of his aunts have stopped by and his girlfriend has been here, I think, 3 out of the 4 days.  Things are beginning to die down.  Cole has started his homebound schooling.  He basically, has to work on his own and get done what he can when he can.  The catch is the more on-top of it you stay now, the easier it will be to transition to being back.  They just have to figure out how to administer the tests and quizzes here, so he doesn't lag on those.  His algebra teacher came last night and gave him all his homework and then stayed 2 hours to explain how to do what.  He got all of it done last night.  He got his history, from last night, done this morning.  The principal stopped by this evening to drop off more.  A LOT more history.

He goes back Monday for a post-op visit with the surgeon.  They'll check function with the ekg and echo and then check the fluid on his heart with a chest xray.  The nurse already told us going back to school is going to be up to us.  She doesn't want him jostled around, so we're pretty hesitant to do it too soon.  We'll see what they say after the xray.  That will also tell us if his sternum is starting to heal or not.  I would expect late next week at the absolute earliest.  He may get stir crazy before then.  He is going fishing Sunday since it will be warm enough.  He's not allowed to drive or be on a boat.  Doc said bank fishing only, but he'll take it.

I'm very impressed with him.  My mom came yesterday morning and took him for a walk down the road.  He definitely does better than I could have have imagined.  He said today he was able to shoot pool.  He said it's sore, but he can do it now.  So, he is getting some range of motion without severe pain.  We still have some oxycodone if it gets bad, but he hasn't taken anything except Tylenol and Motrin since leaving the hospital.  I suspect going back to school could be hard and he may end up sore that night.  The doctor says when he starts driving in a couple of weeks he could get sore trying to make turns.  We'll see how it goes.

He's standing up straighter.  His shoulders are going back a little.  He's stretching out a little.  He's definitely gotten skinnier, if that's even possible.  But, he'll get back.  He'll have to make a conscious effort.  His appetite has decreased, but some of that may be because he's not as active.  Day by day it will get better.