Surgery Progress Dec. 12th 2012

     Two weeks has gone by and I'd have to say I am starting to feel better and do more and more around here. I am getting through the whole day without feeling the building pressure and deep ache, and even at night I can manage to make it through until bed time. My days are full between taking care of my family and most importantly myself right now. I am glad that for the most part I am up and involved with my family.

     What a busy time of the year, although I enjoy this season, I find that I have too many things to do for Christmas. On top of all the Christmas prep, I am also spending a lot of time at physical therapy. Not just one, but two PT's, one for the foot and leg, and the other for my PN issue. This has been taking up a big chunk of my week. But, enough of the small talk, I have so many things to share...

      On my last update I was just about to get started back up with physical therapy for pelvic floor and PN issues for the first time since my surgery. I was very anxious for this appointment, because no one really knows the pelvic floor like my PT. I knew she would be able to distinguish any changes good or bad. Like always, the first appointment is an evaluation to determine the plan for the next few month's. I had went in for an evaluation prior to surgery so we would have a base line of of my condition, and a way to compare the pre-op and post-op concerns. Before surgery, even though I had worked with this PT for over 4 month's, some of my bigger issues never responded to the PT. And actually, sometimes PT would create a big flare and I would feel worse for a couple of days. We had finally reached a point where there was not much more we could do, with no improvements in certain areas I stopped PT. However, at my first appointment after surgery my PT noticed a big change in some of the problem areas. All I can say, is that my PT was impressed with the areas of concern, she seemed hopeful and we were both all smiles. I guess time will tell, and in the meantime our focus will be on minimizing the scar tissue that forms naturally after surgery. Scar tissue can create new issues later down the road if not treated properly, so this is a very critical part of my recover and healing of the nerve.

     Big news on my foot and leg. If you remember, the last time I posted, my foot wouldn't even budge, my toes or foot physically could not lift up while standing straight and trying to balance on my heel. I was so shocked, after just a couple of days of practicing my foot finally flexed up and lifted up off the ground, it wasn't very much but it was definitely coming up. And, by the end of that week, which I just happened to be at my physiatrist follow-up appointment, (and of course I had to show off my new regained motor function.) Well, then something better happened, I wasn't even expecting this, but he had me try and just flex the toes up while standing straight. I had been trying to do this as well with no luck, and to my complete surprise it happened! I wouldn't call it a lift but more of just a slight movement of my toes. We both said "whoa did you see that"! at the exact same time, it was funny and also very exciting. I had a PT appointment later that day and I couldn't wait to show him what I could now do, and all in a weeks time. PT has been filled with one accomplishment after another, all in about two weeks of time. We have shared lots of high fives and big smiles. Every day my foot would flex higher and higher, and my toes would just follow behind within days. Now that I could control the way my toes flexed I could try putting a shoe on. There was two issues with getting a shoe on, first the top of my foot is having a lot of hyper sensitivity issues, meaning nothing could touch it without creating crazy pain. Second, when I would try and put my foot in a shoe my toes would automatically curl under, and no matter how hard I tried I could not get my toes to straighten out, this makes wearing and walking around in a shoe very difficult. So, now that I had regained the motor function back in my foot, my PT said to bring my right shoe in at my next appointment.

    Last week I was able to get my shoe on, and for the first time since Oct. 8th I was walking around in shoes on both feet. YAY!!! Now, my right foot obviously feels very uncomfortable with a shoe on, but I'd say that the straps that hold my leg brace on are very bothersome too. Wearing my shoe feels very prickly and feels like I'm wearing a size to small, the shoe feels like it's on way too tight even though I know it's not. I can only tolerate the shoe for so long before I need to rip it off. It's a good start and soon I should adjust to this new sensation. After a couple of days of learning to get around in my shoe, I told my husband that I think I am ready to give driving a shot. He didn't even bat an eye, he said okay, and threw me the keys. It was such a great feeling to be back in the drivers seat and have the ability to drive around again. The first couple of drives my leg would tire out fast by pushing on the brakes at a stop light, so I would just put the car in park, but already after a couple of days it's not even an issue. Getting my independence back changes everything...I am so happy!

     Remember my beloved ice machine? Well my four weeks was up on the 7th of Dec. There was no way I was letting my ice machine go. I called the company and said "PLEASE can I have it a little longer, I still need it"! After a few phone calls to my doctors office and our insurance, I now have it for another 4 weeks. Whew! I'd much rather manage my pain with ice cold water circulating around my foot then all those wacky nerve medicines any day.

Everything is turning around and all I have to say is I am so HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!!!