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I'm beginning to think I may never get better

I know it's only been just over 3 weeks since my surgery, and by some accounts, I might even be considered to be recovering faster than most. I also know my surgery was a little more problematic than most, having had a collapsed lung, and requiring 4 [drainage] tubes in me after surgery (most only have 2). Still I can't help but think, 3 weeks is a long time. Plus I'm still in need of my pain meds, and there does not appear to be any light at the end of this long, arduous tunnel.

Everyone keeps telling me it will pass, and I will get better. Maybe that's true. After all the doctor did say my pain would likely persist for 4 to 6 weeks, but the longer it does persist, the more I begin to wonder  if all this has been worth it?

One of the drawbacks of being laid up for so long is having way too much time on my hands to read. Too much time to read about the successes [and failures] of bypass surgery. Something, I've learned isn't all sunshine and roses, which only seems to highlight the worst possible thoughts, whenever I experience that extra pain, or strain throughout the day, .

Then there's Chloe (our cat) who seems to be spending an inordinate amount of time with me lately. She been staying in the house more, which probably has more to do with the fact the temperatures are dropping, but in an uncat like fashion follows me around, more than usual, and even sleeping with me during the night.

I've always read about pets having that 6th sense about them, knowing when something isn't right, and acting in unusual ways, and I would just hate to think, after going through all this, it could all be for naught.
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Comments

Alan said…
3 weeks is nothing. Have patients. Have a friend who had hip replacement. At the end of a month she was still suffering, mad and thinking she'd never get better.

She's great now. No pain and good mobility.

Have some wine.
2:18 AM
Marc said…
Certainly easier said than done.

And you bring up the other problem. I'm hesitant to drink wine because of the Tylenol I've been taking along with the Oxycodon. I've managed to cut the Oxycodon down to 1 - 5 mg tablet every 8 hours by adding in the 325 mg Tylenol 4 hours after the Oxycodon. I still have pain, but it is at least tolerable.
2:26 AM
Alan said…
Stop the Tylenol. I can't believe it's adding anything to the Oxycodon besides the placebo effect (and are you sure the oxycodone is pure and not mixed with Tylenol).
2:35 AM
Marc said…
Yes, I'm [pretty] sure it's pure. It doesn't say anything to the contrary on the bottle. Besides, if it wasn't, wouldn't it be called something else, i.e. Vicodin etc.

I added the Tylenol in an attempt to reduce the amount of Oxycodon. But I'll try eliminating it, and see how it works.
2:42 AM
Mark VanKirk said…
Hang in there. I agree that the Tylenol is probably doing very little. Stop reading about all of the - and + of the surgery.

Bury your head in another Netflix series and keep your mind off of it.
7:23 AM
Marc said…
Like I told Alan, it's easier said than done.

But I did skip my last Tylenol today, and just went with the Oxycodon at 2 PM. Everything seems fine, and the pain hasn't gotten any worse, so..............

Maybe I'll even try some wine tonight.
8:41 AM
Christina said…
I hope you are feeling better today. Don't get down; you are amazing! And, (I'm not sure yet if you are a religious man but...) God is, too!
7:00 AM
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