western australia

open heart surgery

breathing exercise

Vince's new toy

@JudyEv (357176)

Rockingham, Australia

May 30, 2024 7:17pm CST

In the photo, you can see a gadget Vince brought home with him from the coronary care unit at the hospital. Several times a day he has to suck on the tube and get the three balls to rise to the top of their cylinders. The first day or two, he could get two to the top but the third one would only wobble. Now, he can get three to the top five times in a row. He then has a rest and does three sets in all. One day, I might have a go myself and see if I can manage it. I guess there would be something wrong if I couldn’t.

28 people like this

28 responses

@kaylachan (78691)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

31 May 24

My husband has one of those to help strengthen his lungs, he wants nothing to do with it.

5 people like this

show previous comments

@kaylachan (78691)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

31 May 24

@JudyEv Yeah, I know. I wish he would. But, he's feeling better so he thinks he doesn't need it.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

That is such a shame. It can only do him good.

3 people like this

@HaruLoid (1588)

• Philippines

31 May 24

I would love to have it if he doesn't want it.

3 people like this

Show more comments

@kareng (76691)

• United States

31 May 24

I remember that routine. My dad used to get frustrated that the balls to rise all the way to the top. I'm glad Vince has mastered the exercise! That is a good sign!

4 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

He is very good about doing the exercises so far. He is determined to recover fully.

3 people like this

@kareng (76691)

• United States

1 Jun 24

@JudyEv That is good to hear!

2 people like this

@rsa101 (38889)

• Philippines

31 May 24

That is an interesting device. I had one like that when I was in the hospital, and to check if my lungs are working properly, I had to blow as hard as I could. Nothing was blowing really hard, or there were no balls floating. Although in his scenario he needs to suck instead of blow, which is the opposite of what I did.

3 people like this

show previous comments

@rsa101 (38889)

• Philippines

5 Jun 24

I concur with your assessment, @JudyEv. It appears that medical technology has advanced significantly, and this novel device is but one example of the many innovations occurring in the medical field. In my opinion, we are on the cusp of a new era in medicine where technology will play an ever-increasing role in our health and well-being.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

They come up with some imaginative devices and especially for kids. That's interesting that yours worked in the opposite way.

3 people like this

Show more comments

@RebeccasFarm (95312)

• Arvada, Colorado

31 May 24

Those are very good and help a lot Judy..I remember when Mama had one.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

It's a good way to help with getting your lung function better.

2 people like this

@paigea (36101)

• Canada

31 May 24

That's great he can already do that. I have seen those.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

I'd never seen one before. I want to have a go one day just to see how hard it is.

3 people like this

@paigea (36101)

• Canada

31 May 24

@JudyEv I haven't tried one. Watching my aunt, it didn't look easy!

2 people like this

@HaruLoid (1588)

• Philippines

31 May 24

That's actually a good breathing exercise tool. I would love to have one of those just so I can get a closer observation with my breathing.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

I'm going to have a try one day to see just how hard it is.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

@HaruLoid Yes, I think you are right.

2 people like this

@HaruLoid (1588)

• Philippines

31 May 24

@JudyEv I bet that it is difficult. You'll probably have to be able to blow a lot of air out for quite awhile in order for the balls to float at the top.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@snowy22315 (192011)

• United States

31 May 24

Interesting, almost makes it look like fun.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

I think it's good. At least you can see what you're supposed to be achieving.

1 person likes this

@marguicha (227720)

• Chile

31 May 24

We should all get one of those toys after a certain age, specially is we are too sedantary and are getting into old age. I have discovered that I´m almost bed ridden during winter. It is a matter of escaping from cold but I bet my lungs suffer.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

You're right. It's too easy to do too little and certainly the body suffers physically.

1 person likes this

@FourWalls (76215)

• United States

31 May 24

The old “make sure you don’t get pneumonia” machine. I think it’s called an incentive spirometer, but don’t quote me. My mom had one when she was in respiratory rehab.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

That sounds an ideal name for it. He has had a bit of inflammation in the heart lining but seems to be over it now. He is doing his exercises regularly so that's good.

2 people like this

@Juliaacv (54003)

• Canada

31 May 24

I had a nephew who had one of those for his acyte asthma.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

They come up with some clever devices.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (477692)

• Italy

31 May 24

This must be exhausting for Vince. Try to see if you can manage it... I hope you can!

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@LadyDuck (477692)

• Italy

1 Jun 24

@JudyEv Surely Vince cannot change position often during the night, that must be the cause of the cramp in his shoulder, or the fact he must keep the "Teddy" in place.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

@LadyDuck Maybe that's it. He's had it again several times this morning. The teddy is sometimes just by his side but within easy reach.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

He copes quite well now but is often exhausted afterwards. He said he had a good night last night but barely remembers being up twice with cramp in his shoulder.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Dena91 (16990)

• United States

31 May 24

That is good that Vince is able to make the balls go to the top. Continued prayers for you both

2 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

Thanks Dena. That's kind of you. We're looking forward to continued progress.

1 person likes this

@Kandae11 (56627)

•

31 May 24

He is getting better every day.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

He is indeed but has a way to go yet. We'll get there.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (15551)

• Hong Kong

31 May 24

I haven't seen those balls. It's good that Vince can make the balls go to the top.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 24

He is doing so well at the moment. Let's hope it continues.

2 people like this

@Tampa_girl7 (52780)

• United States

31 May 24

I’m glad that he is making good progress.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@Tampa_girl7 (52780)

• United States

1 Jun 24

@JudyEv God is good.

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

Thanks, Marie. They warned us it would be one step forward and two back but so far it's pretty much all moving forward. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Marilynda1225 (85173)

• United States

4 Jun 24

That's good that Vince is able to get the balls to the top. He must be happy with his progress (and you too)

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@Marilynda1225 (85173)

• United States

4 Jun 24

@JudyEv that does sound painful. Poor Vince. Hope it's not something that lingers.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun 24

The main problem at the moment is that he keeps getting cramp in one shoulder or the other. It's been very painful for him.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun 24

@Marilynda1225 As soon as it starts, we heat a heat bag in the microwave and put it on the area. That seems to be the only thing that relieves it.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@MarshaMusselman (38837)

• Midland, Michigan

1 Jun 24

Did your husband already have his surgery? I thought it wasn't until this Monday.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@MarshaMusselman (38837)

• Midland, Michigan

3 Jun 24

@JudyEv I will pray that his recovery goes well.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun 24

@MarshaMusselman Thanks. It is really appreciated.

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jun 24

I've messaged you. It was going to be tomorrow but then they brought it forward a fortnight. He had the operation last Tuesday and came home on Thursday.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (318815)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

31 May 24

I used that gadget when I was in the hospital several years ago. I don't remember the reason I used it right now, but I got the balls to move. Okay, I remember, I had pneumonia. I was in the hospital for a week.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (318815)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

1 Jun 24

@JudyEv Yes, it is. I had double pneumonia.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

@just4him That would have been very nasty at the time. Vince has had pneumonia several times and is now vaccinated against it.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

That would make sense. It's all about strengthening your lungs.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@LindaOHio (193123)

• United States

31 May 24

My husband has had to use that contraption several times during his hospitalizations. It gets those lungs working. Have a good day.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

He is managing it much more easily now.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (193123)

• United States

1 Jun 24

@JudyEv That's good to hear.

1 person likes this

@Ghostlady (1811)

• United States

31 May 24

Years ago I was eating Spanish peanuts and one slipped down into my lung. Ended up in the ER, and they immediately took me in and when I woke up the doctor said when he reached to get the peanut, it exploded into a thousand pieces. For the next 3 days I would have to use something similar to your husband's contraption. That was over 40 years ago. Kind of wish I had one of those today...it strengthens your lungs. You should try it...not as easy as it looks.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

I will try it one day for sure. That must have been an horrific experience with the peanut.

@JudyEv (357176)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jun 24

@Ghostlady What do you think is different about them - Spanish peanuts as opposed to ordinary peanuts?

@Ghostlady (1811)

• United States

1 Jun 24

@JudyEv It was and I have not touched a Spanish Peanut since. LOL

1 person likes this

Show more comments