Slipping Rib Syndrome Update – One Week Post-Op

Days Before Surgery

Made it safely to West Virginia yesterday with only one speeding ticket.

Completed another at-home COVID test in my hotel room this morning – hallelujah, negative again!

Completed my blood labs and COVID test at the hospital, too.

Now all we have to do is wait for surgery in the AM – so we are gonna try to sight-see a little in West Virginia while I’m able. 😊

Day of Surgery

Today went as well as expected with only a few hiccups.

It took 7 pokes to get an IV in me. 🤣

Dr. H removed all previous sutures – my 10th rib sutures had pulled themselves through the cartilage – I was right, again, as it was slipping.

The 9th rib was rubbing against my intercostal nerves, so he took 1/2 inch of the rib tip cartilage off it and moved all the new sutures further back, and went through the bone instead.

Accidentally collapsed my lung and I have to watch a large hematoma to make sure it doesn’t pool too much blood – hence that tight wrapping on me and the gauze roll bulging out.

I won’t get to leave today or tomorrow, gonna have to stay an extra day to be safe – but luckily we didn’t have to use the wound-vac machine this time.

So yeah, today was super fun – but I am glad it is over. 🤣😩

Day 1 Post-Op

It was nice getting to shower today and remove the tape and rolled up gauze pressing on my wound – that thing was on there extremely tight.

I have also been eager to see the damage done – even though the same incision was used as my last procedure – I still need to see it.

I probably spent 30 minutes just removing adhesives and the orange coloring on my skin, examining my bruises, and trying to be gentle on my body.

I am still pretty sore – more than last time – but that is expected with the lung collapse, too.

I plan on resting as much as I can today since I didn’t get much sleep last night.

I’ll be ready to get up in the morning for my follow-up with Dr. H so we can head back to

Bilbo and get home.

Each day will be better. 🍀

Day 2 Post-Op

I had my follow up with Dr. H this morning and was given the OK to drive home. Obviously, I was in the passenger seat and I spent a lot of time in the back trying not to feel every bump in the road in my ribcage.

I cried it hurt so bad.

Not even pain meds helped me, if anything I felt worse.

I felt horrible when we did finally make it home and I’ve been sick to my stomach ever since.

I need rest and to never drive 6 1/2 hours home on day 2 post-op ever again – this was a terrible decision and proves that waiting until day 7 post-op is beneficial.

Day 3 Post-Op

Today is proving to be difficult.

I’ve been up and down all night. I’ve been dealing with all-day nausea and bouts of vomiting that is painful on these ribs. I’m not overly hungry and I just feel off.

Dr. H doesn’t want fluid build-up with that hematoma, so he’s asked me to bind my torso snuggly to prevent a permanent fluid pocket under my skin – this is not comfortable either.

Yesterday riding home was really tough on me and I’m sure it’s partly to blame for me feeling rough yesterday and today.

I know I’m another day into the healing process but man, healing is hard.

Day 4 Post-Op

I’m about the same as yesterday but I’m not taking pain meds – just taking Tylenol like clockwork with anti-nausea meds. The nausea during this round of surgery has been unreal.

I’m still waking up at 1, 3, 5 and 7ish every morning. I’ll sleep for a good hour and wake up restless but I’m managing.

This surgery side of mine is still pretty swollen and looks 100% different than my healthy side.

I’m still wrapping myself up per doctors orders.

Showering has been my saving grace since I can unwrap myself, relax and decompress. I did eat a full meal this afternoon, so small victories for the win.

Another day into healing and I am so ready to feel better and back to my normal, no rib pain self.

Day 5 Post-Op

Today is better than the past few days – hallelujah. I actually slept through the night and didn’t wake up as nauseated as I have been. I took pain meds and anti-nausea before bed, so that probably helped.

Otherwise, I’m on Tylenol and back to my coffee-drinking self. I did get up today and left the house for the first time since the drive back – and no, I’m not driving just yet.

We had to get our passport applications in – with rush status – so we can get things moving for the Billy Strings London take-over in 2022 – and that is more than enough motivation to get up and moving today.

By the time of the show, I’ll be 12 weeks post-op and oh so ready for my London debut. 😊🇬🇧

Day 6 Post-Op

Better days are ahead!

No pain meds other than at night and tonight I’m going make dinner – hopefully with little pain.

I’m still swollen and wrapping my ribs – which is uncomfortable – but I think my side swelling has went down a little bit.

Tomorrow marks a week since surgery – maybe I’ll attempt a very, very short drive in the morning. 🍀

Day 7 Post-Op

Another day into healing! I’m a week out from surgery and I attempted to drive today.

I was sore for the most part but I made it to Kroger and back. I’m probably going to take a few more days off driving before I try again.

This was also my first attempt at driving without a pillow behind me to brace my ribs since 2018ish?

I’m up and at it today, though – I’ve made 3 dozen cookies in our new oven 💚 and I wrapped some of the last presents I had to do. 🎁

Day 8 Post-Op

I’m really bundling and wrapping these ribs up tonight.

We are keeping our tradition of driving around Lexington and looking at Christmas lights, so I wanted to feel extra sturdy for the car ride.

Every day is a little bit better and I’m hoping the swelling goes down significantly during the next week.

Also, tikka masala for our Christmas Eve Eve dinner. 😊💚🍛🎅🎄

Day 9 Post-Op

Another day of taking it easy on this warmer-than-usual Christmas Eve. I’m resting today and bingeing on Christmas movies and hot cocoa.

I will have to ride in the car tomorrow to see family and get home – that means I’ll spend a few hours riding in the car – but I will try to plan ahead and wrap myself tightly and bring pillows (and Tylenol) along for these healing ribs.

Otherwise, I wanted to give you an update for ICBW Blog and to say Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year. 💚