I GOT BANDED ON THURSDAY 1/8/09. AND I HAD TO STAY OVER NIGHT. NOW THAT WAS NOT TOO BAD. BUT WHEN I HAD TO GO HOME IT WAS SO SO COLD OUTSIDE (LIKE 25) I FELT LIKE I COULD NOT CATCH MY BREATH. AND THAT IS WHEN IT HIT ME.:tounge_smile: I KEPT ASKING MYSELF WHY WOULD U DO THIS TO UR SELF. I COULD NOT HELP IT THE PAIN WAS INTENCE N I WAS TAKING SHALLOW BREATHS N CRYING.:thumbup: EVEN WHEN I GOT IN THE HOUSE I WAS STILL COLD. I RAN TO TAKE SOME PAIN MED'S N SAT DOWN WITH TONS OF BLANKETS N FELL ASLEEP. BUT AS I WOKE UP ALL I COULD SAY TO MY HUSBAND WAS GO GET ME AN ELECTRIC BLANKET AND A HEATING PAD. NOW THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME.:w00t: IM NOW 3 DAYS POST-OP AND FEELING GREAT ALMOST 100%. SO JUST A LITTLE ADVICE FOR ANYONE WHO LIVES IN THE COLD STATES INVEST IN AN ELECTRIC BLANKET AND ALSO A HEATING PAD(USED IT ON MY BACK) IT HELPS WITH THE GAS TOO!!

AND ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT ON THURSDAY MORNING IN THE CHATROOM BEFORE MY SURGERY!!:thumbup:

THANX N BEST OF LUCK!

YOCO28

JOANIE

Hey Joanie Welcome to Bandland!! I am so sorry that the cold literally knocked the wind out of you. Luckily, I am in Texas so a chill to us is 60 and lower. I couldn't imagine 25!! Brave woman!! I am glad you had the electric blanket and the heating pad. Each day it gets better, just remember to use the spirometer the hospital probably gave you and take the deep breaths as you can, to get all that stuff from your lungs. How long are you on clear liquids? In this phase as you start healing you will be tempted to push it a little farther and go into your next phase of full liquids/mushies. Don't. really try to stick to your Dr's rules. They are there to help you heal. Girl I couldn't take deep breaths for at least my 4th into 5th day. Today I am 12days out and only itch every now and then (as my incisions finish healing) lol. other than that...good to go.

Good Luck!

Cheryl