which has been a rare case around here lately. So...today being a day I needed to sort out my head, I put on my most favourite, the loveliest band in the whole universe. (Depeche for those of the unknowing ones). I didn't just put on their music, I really needed that extra umph to get me going, so I put on the dvd of their last tour, Touring the Angel (which I must say was one of their best ever!) So as I took a shower, made my matzoh brei and ate it, I slowly got into the music. After I dried my hair, some of their more rocking and dancing songs came on (for those of the disbelieving ones, trust me, Dave can really get down in concert) and I was just swept away. My left hip hadn't started hurting for the day, and my right was doing ok, and the next thing I realised was that I was dancing around the living room letting go of everything and just enjoying the moment. I actually felt normal, well, until after a couple of songs I could barely breathe - all that congestion is still there. But still, it was COMPLETELY BRILLIANT!!! I have not felt like a "normal" person in so long, and whilst I knew I was misbehaving incredibly and would pay for it later, I DID NOT CARE! (I will have to re-read this when I can barely walk because then I'll be thinking I should have really cared). Anyway, I can't really describe how this felt, (well I can, back hurts, hips are being iced, probably subluxated a shoulder) but it was just incredible. And it worked mentally because whatever was going on up there earlier is now gone.
Depeche Mode is officially my cure all. Oops, Martin is now singing Shake the Disease, my most favourite, so must run...
15 December, 2007
12 December, 2007
12 weeks post op
It's never a dull moment in Tricia's world, that's for sure. I came down with a lovely cold or something last week, and it has decided it is so fond of me it doesn't want to move on. We are now trying antibiotics as a form of eviction. I hope they work.
As for my hips. The right one is good, I haven't been moving around too much since I've not been feeling well so it's hard to tell. The left hip has been touch and go and last week we didn't do any leg lifts with it. I've started to do them the last couple of days at home and so far so good. But again, I've not been walking much so it's hard to suss out exactly what triggers what pain.
The good news is that Dr. Kelly said I can get an injection into my left hip! I am going on the 21st, with the hope (and a prayer) that it will work like last time and keep me pain free for at least 3-4 weeks so I can enjoy my trip to London. I'm not looking forward to the process again as it hurt a lot last time, but I've got to try something.
Fingers crossed it works!!!
As for my hips. The right one is good, I haven't been moving around too much since I've not been feeling well so it's hard to tell. The left hip has been touch and go and last week we didn't do any leg lifts with it. I've started to do them the last couple of days at home and so far so good. But again, I've not been walking much so it's hard to suss out exactly what triggers what pain.
The good news is that Dr. Kelly said I can get an injection into my left hip! I am going on the 21st, with the hope (and a prayer) that it will work like last time and keep me pain free for at least 3-4 weeks so I can enjoy my trip to London. I'm not looking forward to the process again as it hurt a lot last time, but I've got to try something.
Fingers crossed it works!!!
06 December, 2007
11 week post op update
Yes I am late again, but that's because I didn't go to PT on Monday. To be honest, I did not go Wednesday last either. I was letting some semblance to a social life start to creep in again.
So, last week, after PT on Monday, where we did leg lifts with NO weights, I still ended up in agony for a few days after. This is really getting old. And boring.
For the most part when I walk around I am okay on my right side. The right can get a little unhappy if I do much walking, but I am starting to think that is because I am leaning on it more than my left because my left is hurting so much. I try to ice when this occurs.
Yesterday am I woke up with horrible pain in my left hip. I was so uncomfortable that I rang Dr. Kelly's office and left a message. I have been thinking that since PT is so difficult on that side, and my leg is clearly getting weaker (it's weaker than my right now), some sort of evasive action needs to be taken. Other than this inhibiting me from walking more and seeing how I do without the crutches, and making my right side get irritated, it's most importantly going to ruin my trip to London in a few weeks! I can't have that. I discussed with my PT guy all of this last night and he agreed with everything I was saying, and said that (the dreaded) injection may be a good idea. For those of you that do not know me well, I absolutely dread the thought of putting that poisonous rubbish in my body. But...(there's always a but) it did work from 3-4 weeks on my right hip over the summer, and if I can somehow be fortunate enough to have it done and it works whilst I'm in London, I'll be a much happier person. Also it will help me take the pressure on my not-to-be-abused right hip.
I heard back from Dr. Kelly's office today. Arianne went on holiday so it was some person I don't know which meant going through the whole song and dance about what has been going on. (It's been short of a few days from a year since I first saw Dr. Kelly). I filled her in on all of my left legs loveliness (ie my IT band pops constantly and pain is more so on the outside of the hip), and she said that she thinks an injection might be something Dr. Kelly would want to do, even though I've not had an MRI yet on the leg. She was going to speak to him and would ring me back either tonight or tomorrow.
So, there we are. Oh, and to add to the fun, I think I've caught either a very bad cold or the flu. Ain't life grand? Still, off to see Tom Stoppard's "Rock n Roll" tonight, so perhaps that will cure me???
Happy Hanukkah!!!
So, last week, after PT on Monday, where we did leg lifts with NO weights, I still ended up in agony for a few days after. This is really getting old. And boring.
For the most part when I walk around I am okay on my right side. The right can get a little unhappy if I do much walking, but I am starting to think that is because I am leaning on it more than my left because my left is hurting so much. I try to ice when this occurs.
Yesterday am I woke up with horrible pain in my left hip. I was so uncomfortable that I rang Dr. Kelly's office and left a message. I have been thinking that since PT is so difficult on that side, and my leg is clearly getting weaker (it's weaker than my right now), some sort of evasive action needs to be taken. Other than this inhibiting me from walking more and seeing how I do without the crutches, and making my right side get irritated, it's most importantly going to ruin my trip to London in a few weeks! I can't have that. I discussed with my PT guy all of this last night and he agreed with everything I was saying, and said that (the dreaded) injection may be a good idea. For those of you that do not know me well, I absolutely dread the thought of putting that poisonous rubbish in my body. But...(there's always a but) it did work from 3-4 weeks on my right hip over the summer, and if I can somehow be fortunate enough to have it done and it works whilst I'm in London, I'll be a much happier person. Also it will help me take the pressure on my not-to-be-abused right hip.
I heard back from Dr. Kelly's office today. Arianne went on holiday so it was some person I don't know which meant going through the whole song and dance about what has been going on. (It's been short of a few days from a year since I first saw Dr. Kelly). I filled her in on all of my left legs loveliness (ie my IT band pops constantly and pain is more so on the outside of the hip), and she said that she thinks an injection might be something Dr. Kelly would want to do, even though I've not had an MRI yet on the leg. She was going to speak to him and would ring me back either tonight or tomorrow.
So, there we are. Oh, and to add to the fun, I think I've caught either a very bad cold or the flu. Ain't life grand? Still, off to see Tom Stoppard's "Rock n Roll" tonight, so perhaps that will cure me???
Happy Hanukkah!!!
29 November, 2007
10 (ish) week Post Op
I spent the long weekend watching my nephew and that did my hip in. Well, my left hip. The right one held up for the most part, but I did have to ice is every now and then. The left one however was completely miserable. I'm sure it had to do with running after Jack and picking him up.
I told my PT guy on Monday and he agreed. I still did the round of leg lifts w/o weights, and then the 3 lb on left side and 6 lb on right side with the stim and bolsters. I was so sore on Tuesday and very stiff on Wednesday. I am not happy about this as when I get like that I feel like I start to actually compensate with my right and then that starts to hurt. As I was meant to go to the theatre last night I hadn't booked my 2nd appointment for the week, so will have to work it out at home until next week. I don't have another appointment until Wednesday as I have company in town.
Last night I received a letter from the genetic doctor. I have already made an appointment with her (January was the earliest) to review and discuss what I should be doing to prevent more injuries. The letter basically summed up the biopsy results and what they meant. I will copy the relevant bits below. None of this was a surprise as she had explained that these tests do not really work for the type of disorder she believes I have, but it's good to rule out the ones it does work for.
"The results of your collagen study revealed no abnormalities. This is good news as this test excludes most forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type IV. This is a type of EDS that is associated with cardiovascular problems. The test you had also excludes some forms of EDS type VII another type of EDS which does not affect the cardiovascular system.
Unfortunately, the other major genes that affect collagen synthesis cannot be tested by means of this assay. No existing assay can help us better define your situation at this time.
I believe that your clinical situation is fibromyalgia plus hypermobile joints. Hypermobile joint disorder is a type of underlying connective tissue disorder that is in the EDS family.
Unfortunately, I do not have a specific test for this form of EDS at this point in time.
Many investigators are working on the various forms of connective tissue disorders in an effort to better understand them. I have no doubt that within a few years' time better testing will be available. It is also hoped that such testing could be performed on samples of venous blood."
So, nothing new or surprising, but in some ways it feels good to at least have a diagnosis that covers the multitude of issues I have had.
I told my PT guy on Monday and he agreed. I still did the round of leg lifts w/o weights, and then the 3 lb on left side and 6 lb on right side with the stim and bolsters. I was so sore on Tuesday and very stiff on Wednesday. I am not happy about this as when I get like that I feel like I start to actually compensate with my right and then that starts to hurt. As I was meant to go to the theatre last night I hadn't booked my 2nd appointment for the week, so will have to work it out at home until next week. I don't have another appointment until Wednesday as I have company in town.
Last night I received a letter from the genetic doctor. I have already made an appointment with her (January was the earliest) to review and discuss what I should be doing to prevent more injuries. The letter basically summed up the biopsy results and what they meant. I will copy the relevant bits below. None of this was a surprise as she had explained that these tests do not really work for the type of disorder she believes I have, but it's good to rule out the ones it does work for.
"The results of your collagen study revealed no abnormalities. This is good news as this test excludes most forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type IV. This is a type of EDS that is associated with cardiovascular problems. The test you had also excludes some forms of EDS type VII another type of EDS which does not affect the cardiovascular system.
Unfortunately, the other major genes that affect collagen synthesis cannot be tested by means of this assay. No existing assay can help us better define your situation at this time.
I believe that your clinical situation is fibromyalgia plus hypermobile joints. Hypermobile joint disorder is a type of underlying connective tissue disorder that is in the EDS family.
Unfortunately, I do not have a specific test for this form of EDS at this point in time.
Many investigators are working on the various forms of connective tissue disorders in an effort to better understand them. I have no doubt that within a few years' time better testing will be available. It is also hoped that such testing could be performed on samples of venous blood."
So, nothing new or surprising, but in some ways it feels good to at least have a diagnosis that covers the multitude of issues I have had.
21 November, 2007
9 week post-op
I cannot believe it's been just over nine weeks since surgery, and six weeks since I've been back at work. Where does the time go?
I am learning that slow and steady does seem to be the key for me, though my patience level is barely existent. On Monday I told the PT dude that after last weeks workout with the (only 1 lb!) weight on my left leg, my left hip hurt for days. I said I thought it was the isometric side and back leg lifts and he agreed. This time I did those leg lifts sans weight and it seemed ok, so I'm thinking it was exactly that. My right side we did 1 lb weight for the leg lifts and it seems ok. For the leg lifts with the stim (on the right side) we are still using the bolster and did 3 lbs on the left and 6 lbs on the right. Slow and shaky at first but eventually it got smoother.
The good news is I was told I can start walking short distances sans crutches. He suggested that I can try to go to the corner store, but if I'm running around to bring it with me in case I get tired or sore. The main thing is to not irritate and cause inflammation in the joint. I was hoping to be off the crutches by yesterday, that was my goal, but I supposed this is a compromise I can (or rather will have to) live with. My new goal is to be completely off them by 28th of December, when I leave for London. I really do not want to have to bring this blasted thing with me. I will try to be better about PT as well, as with all the other insanity going on like my nightmare root canal, I became quite lax about it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am learning that slow and steady does seem to be the key for me, though my patience level is barely existent. On Monday I told the PT dude that after last weeks workout with the (only 1 lb!) weight on my left leg, my left hip hurt for days. I said I thought it was the isometric side and back leg lifts and he agreed. This time I did those leg lifts sans weight and it seemed ok, so I'm thinking it was exactly that. My right side we did 1 lb weight for the leg lifts and it seems ok. For the leg lifts with the stim (on the right side) we are still using the bolster and did 3 lbs on the left and 6 lbs on the right. Slow and shaky at first but eventually it got smoother.
The good news is I was told I can start walking short distances sans crutches. He suggested that I can try to go to the corner store, but if I'm running around to bring it with me in case I get tired or sore. The main thing is to not irritate and cause inflammation in the joint. I was hoping to be off the crutches by yesterday, that was my goal, but I supposed this is a compromise I can (or rather will have to) live with. My new goal is to be completely off them by 28th of December, when I leave for London. I really do not want to have to bring this blasted thing with me. I will try to be better about PT as well, as with all the other insanity going on like my nightmare root canal, I became quite lax about it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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