Post - injection

Thankfully it all was worked out. Friday am I received another call from Dr. Wu's office saying I needed another blood test. I rang back and explained the procedure was set up for Tuesday and that unless the results would be back by Monday I wasn't going to have it. The assistant said to ring the dr at his Queens office. What a backwards place that is! I tried ringing and either got a busy or fax sound. I rang the assistant back to make sure it was the wrong number and told him and he said that you have to let the fax go on and when someone is there and the realise it's not a fax they will answer. Quite frustrating. So I finally gave up with that concept and sent a fax in big black marker asking the dr to ring me ASAP - which was about an hour or so later. He said there was one more test, but I probably was ok b/c of previous results, but to be sure I needed this one. I said all the other dr's said the test results were fine and he said most likely but he couldn't definitively say. By this time I had received a call from Dr. Ahmed's office saying someone cancelled for Monday am and I could have that slot. I asked Dr. Wu when the results would be back and he said Tuesday so I said no thanks, I'm just going to go have the test done. Truly there is only so much you can put up with. Just like I'm not going to have an X-ray taken to see if my neck is lax when we know it is already. No wonder the health system is such crap in this country. They overdo tests when you don't need them and the people that do don't get them! Anyway, I digress.

So Monday I went to the hospital at 10 for an 11 am appointment. They put an IV in me for fluids and electrolytes, but no meds. I thought I would be out but when the doctor came down to talk to me he said they wanted me awake so I could tell them if they were in the right spot. This didn't sound like an enjoyable concept but I guess there is a better chance of it working if you can get the medicine as close as possible to the correct spot. I went up about half an hour or so later and the worst part was laying down on the table. They had a couple of pillows that went under my chest and this big foam cut out with a mirror under it to put my head on. This and laying on my back flat are the most painful for me currently. I told him so he said to try to get in a comfortable position, but I told him there was no way like this so lets just get it over with. He was concerned I wouldn't make it but afterwards said I was a trooper as he couldn't believe how I didn't move. I was too afraid to move, and also figured it would go faster so I tried to zone out.

First they put a local in my neck. That burned a lot but I've had worse so whatever. After that they put in the contrast, and then poke around, whilst continually taking x-rays, to see where they are near the nerve and spine. At times I had the strongest stabbing pain down to my right third finger and I told him. The procedure is quite interactive! That happened about twice I think. I also think it mean it was near where he wanted to get so it was good. The pain would go away pretty much as soon as he moved the catheter away from the spot. It was freaky having someone mess around with your nerves and feeling how they control different parts.

After he found the spot he had to push the medicine in. They go very slowly with this,especially, as the dr explained after, that the nerve area was quite narrow. The extra pressure can cause more pain whilst injecting it. Thankfully it didn't really with me and next thing I knew we were done and he was cleaning up the iodine. They sat me up carefully and I was feeling okay, a little light headed but not too much. The dr then showed me the images of my spine and the injection and explained what he did and what I might experience. He told me to rest the rest of the day and put ice on my neck if it hurt, and I could take pain killers if I wanted, but I usually avoid those like the plague. Some nice wine is much more preferable to me. Then I was wheeled back down into the nurses are where my parents were waiting for me. All in all not the first choice of things to do with free time but it's nothing compared to what I've been through. The hip surgery still remains the all time tops of nightmares, and the brutal ER visit last year the second.

I iced and just vegged on the couch for the rest of the day yesterday and came to work today. Taking it easy. Have some mid back pain on the right side but think that's more from being a couch potato the last 7.5 weeks as it's been getting worse for about a week. At this moment I'm icing my neck as it was hurting after going out for lunch. Should have had a liquid one! Ha!
So that's that and we will see if it (G-d willingly) kicks in and works in the next few days. So far I still have pins and needles depending on how I'm standing/sitting and stabbing in my neck depending on how I move, but as he said, it can take a few days. Fingers crossed!

No one likes to be pinched!

I saw the chiro on Wednesday at lunch. The massage and stretching I went through was v. painful, they were trying to loosen up the muscles in the trapezius and neck. Next day still in as much pain though. Went again yesterday at lunch. Went through the same beating up - it was like being on the rack. Still in agony. Icing every hour or more per chiro. Last night went to acupuncturist. He definitely thinks it's the muscles putting pressure on the nerves and my stenosis. He did a lot of needling and hit some majorly tender trigger points and released them. He said not to ice last night but can today. Also suggested Naproxen and as I magically had some lying around I took one last night and another this am. I am feeling very mildly better today but it still hurts a lot and walking is still one of the most unpleasant things I can think of at the moment. I am going back to the chiro in about an hour. The acupuncturist said it would be a good idea as he is hoping after loosening up the muscles last night, the chiro will be able to realign my spine and get the pressure off the nerves. Here's praying it works as it's Friday and I will be s.o.l. until Monday. Also on Monday a friend will be in town for her first visit here and I really don't want to be a misery when she's over. Fingers crossed I am greatly improved in the next few hours!

Continuing on that "never a dull moment" theme

(The return of the pinched nerve and cervical stenosis)

Last week my neck was starting to bother me again. Mildly, nothing major. I went to the acupuncturist on Thursday night and mentioned it, along w/ catching him up on all the other fun I've had. We were going to do the neck but the jaw and tmj and intestines and the fact that my circulation was off and I was grayish, distracted both of us and we forgot the neck thing. Friday my neck was less happy. By Saturday morning I could barely move my neck. The pain was horrible, stabbing sharp pain in my neck and right shoulder that travels down my arm and lower back. I tried stretching it to no avail. Then I tried the pool, just floating w/ a floatation belt to try to loosen up my spine. It was nice when I was in the water but unfortunately couldn't stay there all day. Then I even tried the sauna (I hate the sauna) to get some heat into the muscles to loosen them up. I was great until I started walking home again. Just my feet hitting the pavement sent stabbing pains throughout my body with my neck as the epicenter.

I spent all Sunday on the bed or the couch, resting my head and neck. I tried heat. That didn't work. I tried ice. No results there either. I tried more stretching. By Sunday at least I was able to move my neck down to the side. Pain definitely not gone though. In fact the pain is just as bad. I've been popping NSAIDS like they're candy - again no help. Never fails for a long weekend to be the time my body wants attention. It is quite spoiled and likes to throw tempertantrums at the worst times possible.

Yesterday I had to get out of the house for want of not going stir crazy. My parents came in and we went out for a bit. I was ok for part of it, but then too much walking and I was shot again. Rested and then went to dinner, where I barely made it sitting upright.

I tried to reach the acupuncturist today, hoping somehow he could see me, but when I did hear from him no appointments until Thursday night. I don't know if I'll make it till then. I caved and rang my chiropractor, whom I've not seen since November or December. Thankfully they were able to get me in tomorrow at noon. So now have to get through the next 19 hours. Wish me luck. I sure as hell am going to need it!

Wiped out

It's been 44 weeks since my hip surgery. I thought I was doing pretty well but the last two weeks made me feel otherwise. I have been running around more in the last two weeks than I had done since having my hip surgery, and with all that running around, my right hip has not been a happy camper. It may also be a combination of that and the fact that I've been leaning more on my right side when sitting because of the fistulotomy. Either way, the hip is not happy. Because I was going to be running around so much this weekend and it had already been hurting me, I used lidocaine patches on Saturday and Sunday. I would not have made it through without. Last night when I was able to just relax my hip was so tight. Actually they both were and my legs were very achy as well. I even iced my left hip to try to calm that side down. There were also a lot of stairs involved over the weekend, much more than what is "normal" for me.

To add to this loveliness, my right hand/wrist is acting up again and really hurting. I had stopped using the splint but really have to start again as I am not even going to contemplate another surgery right now. My neck is so messed up that I'm having tingling down my right arm and hand. Thankfully I have the chiropractor on Wednesday, though I wish it was today. On Thursday I have a check up with Dr. A for the bum. I finally had the courage to look at it a couple of weeks ago as it was really hurting and I wanted to make sure it didn't look infected or anything. All I can say is it was pretty disgusting, and big. The doctor definitely did lie when he said how big and deep it would be. I checked it again yesterday and it seems like the upper part of the incision has started to or closed up a bit, which I'd like to think is a good sign. It's hard to tell though and I don't really like looking so it's good the doctor can check this week. I've been going to the pool about twice a week and it feels fine so that is a very good thing. It still hurts to sit, especially on hard chairs, and I can't wait for that to stop, along with having to take sitz baths every day. I will definitely not miss that!

BTW - Natalie Douglas was completely brilliant with her "Cafe Society" show! If you ever get a chance to see her you should.

Busy me

and happy about it. The past few days I've definitely been pushing myself. Well, pushing myself in the terms of my particular body.

Friday I went to the gym at lunch. I did about 20 minutes on the bike and then 30 leg presses. I felt pretty good with that. After work I stopped at the bookshop to see if they had a good book on CSS. There is actually a limit to the information you can find on the Internet! Who knew??? Anyway, of course the section I needed was on the bottom, so I was squatting for a long time. Well it seemed like a long time when your right hip doesn't like to be in that position. But I muddled through, and did find a good book. At least that's what the checkout dude implied when he said it was the book he is using as a textbook for class. So far it does seem pretty good though. Hopefully it will help me with the one area I can't seem to suss out. Anyway, afterwards I think I iced for a bit and then decided it was time to clean the pantry. That took a while, but it was so needed. I disposed of many things I didn't even realise I had buried in there. Every year right before Pesach I do a mass cleaning of the pantry and kitchen. I decided my hip had been through enough in one day and would start on the kitchen the next morning.

Accordingly my body woke me up early, I guess it was very motivated! I cleaned that kitchen for over 2 hours and still wasn't done. If you saw the size of my kitchen you wouldn't believe me! I had to take a break to ice my various body parts. Then it was back to work. It definitely was my workout for the day. Afterwards I dusted the whole flat as well. I just have to do the bathroom. Been putting that off because it will be a whole night ordeal. Being a Virgo when I get started on something it has to be very thorough. It has its good and bad quirks to it. Saturday night my ice and I relaxed and took it easy. We deserved it! Though my body for some reason thought otherwise and didn't let me have a proper sleep!

Sunday I just was too sore to start doing the bathroom, so decided to start reading my new HTML/CSS book. I read through a few chapters, then decided to go to the pool. It was heaven at first as no one else was in the pool for the first half of my workout. No splashing, loud noises, nothing. Pure heaven and so relaxing. I was trying to push it a bit with the walking. It's hard to walk fast in the water but I tried more than usual. I wanted to see how much I could push the hips. After I was a bit sore, but went home and iced like a good girl. Was still achy but the weather was also a bit crap so that wasn't helping.

So that leaves today. I didn't go to the gym as I thought I should take it easy, however that decision didn't last too long as now I've decided I should try to walk home and see how it goes. I still have to figure out part of the menu for Saturday, and order the groceries, but think the walk should be good.

Ice ice baby

is all I've been doing for the last two days. Not happy about this. I know the long walk didn't help yesterday but it was so nice to do it. I just can't make a habit out of it I guess.

And I realised my chiro appointment isn't until tomorrow. :-(

I have the rheumatologist today. So not looking forward to that.

I won't even mention how crap the weather is turning, I am truly a human barometer!

Wow, I'm a bit of a whinger today. Oh well. I'm entitled every now and again I suppose.

Ice is Nice

Last night I slept like a baby! It was so nice. I guess that I was really exhausted from lack of sleep plus I got some things off my mind which I'm sure helped. I actually woke up in the same position as the one I fell asleep in, a rare thing indeed.

Unfortunately I must report that my hand, even with wearing the splint every night, seems to not be doing too hot. Today it's hurting a lot by the injection site and I don't think the injection is actually working anymore. However, I'm not quite ready to call in the the surgeon yet. We will see. Also my hips are a bit wonky today. At present I am icing my right hip, and will do my left as well.

So happy I have my chiro tomorrow. I really missed it last week when he was away. Those therapeutic massages really make the world of difference to my body. Thankfully the new ortho part of my insurance company covered some visits, so I am praying they keep that up because I really don't know what I would do without them.

Progressing with my website, slowly but a little bit at a time and eventually it will get done - I hope at least! :-)

addendum

Went to the pool. Right hip was KILLING me whilst I was doing the walking laps. Then it stopped before I got out. Strange. I iced for a while when I got home, so hoping that put off any idea it had of flaring up again. :-)

Day after the (wrist) injection

Day one seems to be going pretty well with the hand pain barely there. Quite a relief, though I won't get my hopes up too high as these things tend to wear off at some point. But I am hoping it doesn't wear off. My wrist was so sore yesterday that I even iced it after the pool. When I woke up this morning it was much better though, even with sleeping with the splint on.

The pool went pretty well, though I was definitely sore afterwards. I iced both hips for a while when I got home, and that helps. I am still a bit sore today but not bad at all. My pool 'workout' consists of about 5 minutes walking forward, 5 backwards, then 5 sideways. After that I do the leg lifts to the side, back and the bending knee one. I did add the squats again per S's instruction at PT on Monday, but I am wondering if that was why I was more sore after than I have been. I made sure not to go down too far and to keep my legs in the position he told me to. Unfortunately the gym near me has the pool closed tomorrow, so I will either go down to 34th or I will go on Saturday and Sunday. I am thinking that is more likely as my new baby is arriving tonight - at least that's what FedEx has been saying - so I will be busy playing around with that.

Regarding the rheumatologist, her office sent a bunch of paperwork over to fill out. To be honest they could really do with fixing the forms up, the q's seem pretty general and there's a lot of stuff missing that they should ask for. I have to dig up my most recent reports this weekend so I can copy them and bring them with me next week, as requested.

Weekend Update

Friday night went relatively well. I was okay with the boots for the most part of the day but in the evening ended up standing for a while which killed my feet. Thankfully the hips weren't too bad, and after a while we went to a lounge and just vegged on the couches which was a welcome respite for the legs.

Saturday I had to get motivated and felt well enough to try the pool. I ended up walking there against my better judgement because I had to stop off at the post office on the way. I spent about 20 minutes in the pool doing walking, some kicking with the kickboard (which seemed to irritated my knee bursitis) and some leg lifts. It felt great to be back in the water, and I had to restrain myself from doing too much, as I just wanted to start doing laps like my old self.

After the pool I walked home and was definitely sore, especially on the right side, so iced when I got home. That seemed to help a lot. I went down to Union Square to meet my friend at the B&N for a late lunch at a cute place nearby - it was a restaurant/wine bar - and pretty cool inside. Saturday night I went out to a party and wore boots again, but thankfully I ended up sitting most of the time so the hips were happy.

Yesterday I went out to the island to see my family, and especially my little nephew. I figure if I am suffering today at all it will be a combination from playing with him (he LOVES it when you swing him back and forth and chase after him) and the crappy weather we are having. My ankle did go out when I was running after him so that was not good, I know I'm not meant to do that, but how can you resist an adorable three year old?

I have PT again tonight, then dinner plans after, so a long day, but am planning on going swimming again tomorrow. Baby steps...

PT - week 19

PT went pretty well yesterday. I did the bike for 20 minutes and then some stretches with the stool, turning in and out and then extending all the way back. Also did some clam shells w/ 3lb weights, bridges with the ball, and stim with 6lbs on the right and 3lbs on the left. Also did the turns with the pulley on each side. My pt stretched me out a bit as I've been a bit tight in the front on my right. I went home to ice but then got distracted - bad me!
Today feeling ok, so think we hit it just about right. Yay!