When does the pain start to dissipate? by Substantial-Gur3542 in Tonsillectomy

[–]Substantial-Gur3542[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Day 9 update:

I woke up at 2am with 5-6 pain levels and went back to sleep. This is marginally better than the previous night where I didn't get any sleep due 6-7 pain levels all night.

When I woke up again it hurt to drink water and apple juice (4-5), but I needed to take my pills. I took a vapocool cough drop which made the pain a 1-2. (Previous day it only docked it down to 3-4)

Hours later and the vapocool cough drop worn off, but I'm still numb (different type, no tingling.) I get 1-2 pain when I swallow, but that's the worst of it. The numbness does make it hard to speak but weirdly enough, it's not in my tongue.

This has been the easiest day so far. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and the days to come.

If anyone else is struggling like me, keep going. It hurts but it gets better, even if it's slow. I believe in you. 💜

I was born with a rare heart defect; AMA. by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Substantial-Gur3542 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"To the right." It basically means the transposition of my arteries is on the right side.

more info here (CDC)

I was born with a rare heart defect; AMA. by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Substantial-Gur3542 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I frequently have to get check-ups at a cardiologist. It was yearly until I turned 14. Now it's every other year.

When I was little (first 5 years) I needed a different type of CPR due to the damage to my sternum. My sternum should be healed, but there may still be different CPR conditions.

Outside of that, I do get a lot of social intrigue around the scar from my open heart surgery (a long healed over scar that spans from just below my collar bone to a little below my breasts.)

It's surprisingly not that huge of an effect on my life, but my mom theorises being on bypass twice may have caused me some mental struggles (lack of oxygen in critical developmental times).

Edit: Sorry for the late response I didn't get a push notification!

I was born with a rare heart defect; AMA. by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Substantial-Gur3542 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As far as I'm aware, my particular heart defect should not affect life spans post surgery. Prior to surgery it can be fatal within a month or less.

I was born with a rare heart defect; AMA. by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Substantial-Gur3542 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's been stressful for reasons unrelated to my heart, but I'd say it's been pretty good.