I realize now I only saw effusion and that cardiac effusion would be different. Yes, each day does get a little better, although it seems new side effects from meds keep popping up! - Rashes, the pleural effusion, now swelling feet and ankles. I guess the main thing I've realized and wanted to share is that the everyday lifestyle things you can do can make a huge difference, and Doctors don't often emphasize that enough I think. Oddly, I never really had much sternal pain. Now, at 10 weeks post surgery, I find the incision area is getting more sensitive to movement and touch so I'm not sure what that is about. I will mention it to the surgeon when I seem him on June 14th for the first time since March .