One Week Post Op

PAIN: well under control with half of the meds used prior. The "pain" or discomfort is no longer white, hot and searing, but very local, intermittent, unexpected. Pain is usually occurring with small movement or increment in movement even if one minute ago you were perfectly comfortable. Location of pain has and continues to be localized at device sight on left chest wall and under left breast on rib cage. Occasionally, the incision at the top of the sternum (breastbone) will pain me. Pain usually, when it strikes quickly,is a 7 out of 10 and really not mitigated well with pain meds after 4 hours. That is why I have used prescription strength motrin for breathru pain. By tomorrow afternoon I hope to have transitioned to Aleve as suggested by my doctor.
MOVEMENT: much easier. Got myself settled in bed last night with much less issue with the pillow placement. Pillow under left arm continues to be a godsend even when I am sitting here eating or typing. Even last night at a Super Bowl Party I felt more comfortable sitting and leaning forward on the arm of the sofa than to have my arms in my lap. Left arm range of motion is within normal limits above my head and out to side tho the sensation of pulling at device and wire occurs at ends of ranges.
SLEEP: elusive again last night. I do believe this is a function of the fact that I do not sleep on my back at all. I am exclusively a left side sleeper. I have not retried the failed sleep on the right side position ( and had been practicing this preop) and might consider buying one of those bed/body pillows for tonight. If not, I may just try again to lie flatter like normal, with one pillow.
ELIMINATION: back to normal
CANDIDIASIS (yeast infection from antibiotics): under control but not gone. May need prescription med.
APPETITE: wish it were less. I am trying to watch the caffeine and salt intake and drink more water. I bought Mrs Dash last night to use in cooking.

I have my wound check on Thursday morning though again my understanding is that my sutures will "dissolve" or are internal only. I do have steristrips and maybe they will come off by then. I do believe I will have adhesive marks for quite some time. Will post before and one week after pictures this afternoon when my friend comes over to help me take the after pictures. Hope to show the lateral view as well as the front view so you can get an idea of the dimension of the device bulge. This is the question I had preop that no one seemed to be able to satisfy with pictures.
Renee