When I left the hospital, they set up an order for "home visits" from a nurse and a physical therapist, but they warned me it might be delayed because of the Christmas holiday.
Today the home nurse called me in the morning and scheduled a time to come by in the early afternoon.
She came in with a big bag or two, and gave me a folder with information from the home health care company - basic info. She looked at my incisions, asked me a few questions and took my pulse, temperature and blood pressure. Everyone seems to be using those roller thermometers now that they roll or swipe across your forehead and sometimes down to your chin.
She said everything looked ok and that I would get a call for follow up visits, as well as a call from the physical therapist.
That was it.
I was glad to have a nurse look at the incision. I have no idea if it is ok. The paperwork says to let them know if it 'looks red' etc. but -- it has always looked red. She said it's fine.
One of the reasons I am going to take so many photos of my incision is to help other people know what to expect. There really is no good visual guide out there. I'm thinking I can take photo every week or two and make a timeline. Sounds like a good idea.
I'm still tired today and I think I am using my arms too much when standing up from the recliner. When I got out bed this morning I felt something in my chest - not pain or anything - just like, 'movement.' And maybe I heard something more than felt it? I don't know. So I was worried my sternum was moving. It actually felt kinda like how my knee does when I squat down to pick something up. That is knee arthritis. And it reminded me of that.