Another day of improvement

Dad got his chest drainage tube taken out today. He got extra drugs for that, even though Dr. Adam did a better-than-serviceable job in gently removing it (ha ha. During rounds he had told dad he was going to "yank" it out, provoking what dad said was a withering reproach from the cardiologist). Without the tube, dad can get around a little easier. He took a walk with his nurse, Jing, and did two laps around the cardio wing. His occupational and physical therapists came by and showed him some exercises — they are pretty basic, but seemed to wear him out pretty easily — and were impressed that he is very good about not pulling himself up with his arms. He can't push or pull anything over a couple of ounces of force for 6 weeks. He can't drive, either. He will be expected to walk, working himself up to 30-45 minutes per day.

Dad took two walks, and I accompanied him on his second. He pushed a wheelchair around and I spotted him. He said I should have gotten a picture of him doing *that* but I forgot the camera. I didn't expect today would top yesterday after the wagon.

At any rate, it seems like dad will be able to leave tomorrow and come home. He has been fully prepped with horror stories about people who felt fine and did something stupid and ended up at square one. If he's not totally paranoid, I sure am after hearing about the guy who decided to mow his lawn, whacked his bean on a tree limb, got knocked out, woke up with a split sternum and now will suffer kidney-stone like pain down the front of his chest for the rest of his everlovin' life.

So, bypass surgery recovery makes for serious paranoia.