I am new to this web site, and like what I've seen and read so far. I had my surgery on 3-3-09---so just 3 months out. I did not, however, leave surgery without complications. I was in the hospital 5 days, needing to stay the extra 2 days, due to a bleed, and needing 2 units of blood before I was sent home. I had complained from the time I was in the recovery room, at my 1 week p/o appt., and then again at my 3 week p/o appt., of a feeling like air in the muscle, and pain to the left side of my rib cage area; and was always told, "that is normal". But at the 3 week appt. my husband insisted they take xrays or something and they fineally did--and guess what, they found I had a pulmonary effusion (fluid surrounding my left lung), they say caused by a seroma (a large blood clot sitting next to the surgery site). I was admitted back to the hospital and stayed 2 wks., having chest tubes placed to drain both ( I had 2 1/2 liters of fluid off my left lung and felt much better--food tasted better and I was able to walk around the halls without being short of breath!)
But it was short lived.
The fluid came back the following day after the tubes were taken out. The surgeon discharged me after 2 weeks and said I needed to just let it resolve on it's own. He did give me diuretics and potassium, which I had great difficulty swallowing so I was not able to take as directed--the same as with my vitamins, and foods did not taste good, as well as, smells made me nauseas. I almost felt as I was pregnant!
Too old--52 years--not happening!
Well, I did continue to loose wt. through all of this, but not able to exercise, and just this last week, I began to feel better and am able to get up and do a little housework, but am very weak and exhausted with exertion, therefore, have not done much exercise, but have started with bands and 2 lb. weights, that I can do in the chair. So I feel I am on my way now! My biggest hurdle now is eliminating the carbs I ate to combat the nausea ( crackers with cheese mostly), and replace with proteins. I have noticed my hair really begining to come out now, but other than that I have not had any other problems, and I am grateful for that.
Well, what a way to introduce myself.
I hope I wasn't too long winded or boring, but I wanted to get my story told and see if anyone has had similar situations and what they did to resolve them. Let me know!
Getting Better-3 Months Out 
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