My situation is unique than most others here.... about 3-years ago I came down sick where I started wheezing and coughing heavily to the point of passing and blacking out.  My airways were irritated from cigarette smoke getting into my apartment at that time.  Having been in a brand new home for two years now, I thought my symptoms would have cleared up and have for awhile, but came back and worse than before.  Some doctors and nurses have been puzzled over the time because of my lack of oxygen that I feel, yet their gadgets show my lungs are fine with full oxygen supply. Fortunately, my Pulmonary Doctor and Practitioner are very good and have properly diagnosed me with Cough Syncope and Asthma.  However after time has gone on, it's been apparent it's not just asthma but much more severe.  They were looking into sleep apnea, but we've realized these symptoms of a blocked airway is during the day when I'm wide awake.  Each breath has been a struggle to not cough and wheeze hard, I'm tired during the day often not because of lack of sleep but the exhasustion of breathing and wheezing hard.  They have been concerned from the force of it I could have heart failure or an anuerisym (spelling?).  So it was determined last Friday I have the UPPP surgery to open up my airways in general.  My Pulmonary Doctor and Practitioner as well as another Pulmonary Doctor and an ER Doctor all suggested I have this surgery so I feel confident I'm making the right decision as for me, it is a very serious issue.  

Just curiousi if others here have had this severe of blockage?  Also what others here have gone through the surgery and could shed some real-world experience on what to expect?  I have heard it is painful, very painful and I'm mentally preparing for that.  One fear is that my body will wheeze during surgery, or afterwards because of the already existing swelling in my airways.....so they are going to keep me in the hospital for 72-hours instead of the typical 23-hours.  How long before you can start eating or swallowing?  How long before you feel like getting up and about?

FYI my surgery is Wednesday afternoon 10/19, a week from today.  My doctor/surgeon is one of the best around and best in the state I'm told (he's been at this hosptial for 35-years).  The hospital is also one of the top in the state of Indiana, too (I'm in Fort Wayne, Indiana) so I'm feeling more confident about the surgery.  I'm not worried about the surgery, just the recovery
Thanks!


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Thank you,
Brad Lyons
-Sr Sales Engineer-Sweetwater Sound
www.audioandmidi.com