Long Overdue Update

OK...so, here it is. I have been "gently" harassed and chastised by my husband to sit down and update the blog! :-) I have been remiss again and I apologize for not keeping in mind that people might actually be looking at the blog to see my progress.

Week #5- pain (avg daily 4-6)
I started to drive again. I didn't realize that it had been over six weeks since I had driven last. It was a little difficult to find a comfortable position in my seat because several different people had driven my car before I took control again, but once I got the seat and mirrors where I needed them, it was more comfortable for me to drive than be a passenger. I cut back on the pain meds. Still only using them for assistance with sleeping. I think the Cymbalta is helping some with the neuropathic pain, but I was still so tight that I couldn't really tell.

Week #6 pain (avg daily 3-5)
I cut out pain meds all together. I'm taking Ibuprofen 800mg PRN. Only med I'm taking daily is the Cymbalta, but I had to adjust the time because I was taking it too late in the morning and it was keeping me up all night. That is another reason I stopped the pain meds. I could tell that the stimulant in the Cymbalta and the depressant in the pain meds were warring and I was the one losing because I couldn't sleep. I stopped the pain meds Tuesday night and I have been better ever since. I had my first PT session on Tuesday. The assessment went well. My left leg is definitely weaker than my right but I am able to lift it off the floor now with no problem. However, my IT band is extremely sore because it is so tight. Also, my internal rotation is pretty much non-existent right now. I'm having pain when I try to increase my stride length. It hurts when I'm roll to the ball of my left foot and push off to the right leg. It will get better, but it is a little annoying with trying to regain a more normal gait. I got another massage. Have gotten a few since being home. Not really sure that it is helping, but I can't see that it is hurting either so...I'm going to con't for a few weeks and reassess the efficacy to see if I notice a difference.

I made a radical decision...I cut all my hair off! My surgery in 1998 ruined my hair. Prior to surgery it was very think and curly, but after having 2 surgeries in 2 weeks...it completely changed. I lost my curl for over 6 years, but I never regained the thickness. I was hoping that it wouldn't be the same scenario this time, but I could see that it was heading that way. Starting at about week 2, every time I took a shower, I would end up with the drain completely covered with the hair I was shedding. Sad, but true!!! Prior to surgery, my hair was in the middle of my back. I had 4 inches cut off prior to leaving for Barcelona. When I made the decision to cut it...I knew that I wanted it cut OFF! So...the day I went to the salon, my hair was a few inches past my shoulders and now...it is tight to the back of my neck. Had I thought about it prior to the 4 inches being cut, I should have waited until I came home and donated to Locks of Love...but unfortunately, I wasn't thinking that far ahead. Needless to say, there was a lot of hair on the floor when she was done!!! I love it and it is so much easier!! No hair dryer. A little product and go. It's good for a low maintenance chick like me!! :-)

Week #7 pain (avg daily 2-3)
Started PT for real this week. Tuesday was my first session was on land because there were some issues with the pool's temperature being too cold and not ready for aqua sessions. My therapist Lisa said that she can tell that I'm going to be very functional more quickly than most, but still she didn't want to push me too much my first session. She is the aqua director and advised that she knows that the first few weeks she will be able to do more with me in the pool. Many of the stretches she could tell easily that I'm very tight and will need a while to loosen up. I just hope that I will start feeling the tightness lessen soon because I would like to move past this part to really start regaining what I have lost over the past 13 years. Walking and sitting are getting better daily. She had me ride the recumbent bike for 10 minutes and I was able to do that with no problem which was encouraging. I didn't know that it would be that easy. Thursday was my first aqua session and it is amazing even in the water I could feel all the muscles screaming that they didn't want to move! :-) I definitely was able to move a little easier and I walked on the treadmill in the water for over 15 minutes. The goal there was to try to walk with as "normal" a gait as possible knowing all the problems I'm still having with my left hip. I could tell that I had worked my muscles when I was done, but I was able to push myself which was good. I thought that I would need some meds when I got home, but all I needed was to lay down for a little while and I was better.

I have to say that at week #7 I didn't think that I would be doing as well as I am. I have relatively little back pain. It is more muscle tiredness or positional issues right now. I know that I'm not supposed to bend or twist yet, but I'm doing a little to see what I can handle. Haven't really lifted too much to this point. I will increase as I feel comfortable, but more in the PT setting for now.

I know this sounds weird, but I don't know what it will be like to be pain free. It's almost like if I don't have "some" pain, will I be able to feel anything anymore? I have had some degree of pain for so long (27 yrs) that I don't know what "normal" feels like.  I don't think I will mind if there is a little twinge because that has been my "normal" for so long that it reminds me that I'm at least feeling something.

Well folks, I think that I have babbled for long enough. I apologize again to those who have been looking for this update. I will be better come the New Year!