Today was a day when nothing changed, but everything changed. My recovery has been going along very smoothly. The post op discomfort was much less than I anticipated. The incisions are healing up nicely. The worst of it has been trying to sleep on my back, and wearing compression socks.
I had my post op visit to my surgeon. They did an x-ray just before the appointment. He says that everything is just fine. I have been cleared to sleep however I please, subject to discomfort. No more compression socks. I am cleared to drive and, at the risk of being ungentlemanly, cleared for extra curricular bedroom activities. He removed the stitches that had closed up the slits for the chest tubes.
He said to call if anything unexpected happens and I am to see him again in about six weeks. I am certainly feeling much better after this office visit.