Could be worse

PT on Monday went well. We did everything the same as last week, sans the balance board, and I think that made all the difference in the world. That balance board and I have been enemies from the beginning. I've never done it without getting some sort of pain from it. And the best is I have not limped since the weekend! How exciting is that? Now the really exciting part of this story is that last night I wore my v. v. high heels - 3" heels - to be exact. I haven't worn those in probably a year or so! And I was okay standing and walking at the Purim do I went to. Yeah! (Ok, to be honest I have a slight ache in my groin, but it's not too horrible so I'm not complaining.) I missed the pool yesterday but will go after work today so we shall see how I fare with that.

Today was my appointment with Dr. Melone. I must add he is an amazing doctor. After all of my experience with the medical profession I feel I have acquired the expertise to judge these things :-) That and the fact I can still use my hands because of him!

I admit I was quite nervous about the visit today. My greatest fear was him saying the last surgery didn't "stick" and we'd have to go back it. That has happened before with my hand/wrist so it was a real concern. Thankfully though he sussed out immediately where the pain was originating from and saw that there was - now be ready because I'm sure you'll be surprised - INFLAMMATION! How shocking! Me? Have something inflamed in my body? Never! Ha ha. I did fill him in on all the recent excitement between hips and shoulders and genetic doctors and the such. The result of the hand/finger pain was he gave me an injection into the base of my thumb area where it meets my wrist, and I've been given another splint to add to my collection! I am only to wear it for 24 hours and then only at night. He also wants me to use puddy to play with to strengthen the hand as well. Now I know the next question is - what happens if the injection doesn't work? (BTW, the injection hurt like hell, but it was nice and numb for a bit. Sadly that wore off so now it's just sore from the needle and the splint.) Well, the S word was mentioned. He was funny - said to me "Oh you've never had minor hand surgery have you?" I was like, hmm, not that I'm aware of. He said if he does have to do that, he cuts in that area where the injection was done and does something to the tendons. Yes, I know I usually pay much better attention but once he said "SURGERY" my brain turned off and I didn't hear another word. The scar would be about an inch - another one for my collection :-) Yes that part I heard. Frankensteins monster likes to know how big the scars are going to be. The surgery itself takes about 20 minutes (which for me would probably be double, if we go by past history) and it's done under a local and outpatient. To be fair, it wasn't my worse case scenario so I'm pretty relieved over all. Now it's just a waiting game. I'm really hoping the injection works because I can't comprehend any more cutting, even if it's "minor" by some opinions.

I best stop typing as I was told to rest the hand today.

my lovely new spint

Monday - 22 Weeks post op

This weekend was pretty good. Saturday the weather was nice - I love it when the rain doesn't show up. It's the little things in life! I went to the pool and my only pain after was my left hip, and even that wasn't too bad as it was on and off.
I did take it easy most of the weekend and only did minimal walking so I'm sure that helped.

Sunday I was in a bit of pain w/ both hips and my right shoulder. I think the pool irritated the shoulder somehow though I'm not sure how... I iced on rotation for a while and then the hips were feeling better.

This week I have an appointment with my hand surgeon. Bit nervous about that. I am hoping that splinting or PT (not that I really want more PT) can sort it out instead of any other not-to-be-named methods.

I also made an appointment for next week with the rheumatologist that Dr. Kelly recommended. Have I mentioned how sick I am of the medical profession???

Overdosing on doctors...

I saw Dr. Kelly this am. The short of what he said is that "there's no solution for what is wrong with you". Kinda knew that already, but I'm just looking for some sort of relief. Well, relief in a more natural way than just popping narcotics. He gave me another prescription for PT b/c the insurance company is getting cranky - I really hope that helps. And he said the pool is the best thing for me, so will keep up with that. He also mentioned prolotherapy. I've researched that in the past, but it involves lots of stuff being injected into you. I HATE needles. But even so he said I should research it though he wouldn't feel comfortable going that route until we're sure the surgery didn't work, which would be about a year out. I will wait a bit to do more research on it as I don't even want to think about all those needles! He also wants me to see another rheumatologist. I definitely didn't want to return to my original one - see v. early posts - as she has NO CLUE about ANYTHING! I've just made an appointment for the 27th. Dr. Kelly feels that we have to try to control the general inflammation I have so we can focus on strengthening my hips, both of which are v. v. weak. I think he was surprised just HOW weak - though I wasn't.
So that's where things stand at the moment.
At least it's Friday! :-)

Enough

My friend just emailed this to me and I thought it was a nice sentiment, and so here it is...

Recently a mother and daughter were overheard in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'I love you and I wish you enough'. The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom'.

They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'. Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'. 'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?'. She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone'. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them'.

Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

She then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE...
To all my friends and loved ones, I WISH YOU ENOUGH

Etc.

I was doing pretty well, even with a bit of a walk back and forth to the apple store at lunch. On my way back I started to get a bit sore, but then it went away.

It was after work when I went out to a do at the Museum of Jewish Heritage that did me in. All that standing was not good. I came home and iced and it feels a bit better now. I am hoping it will still be okay tomorrow, as I'm planning on going to the pool again.

But today was a good day, so I'll take it!