Ladies on "injured reserve"

[Ninabike]

Mary 9761 and Jeannierides: How are you two ladies doing? Don't stop posting.

[jeannierides]

Hi Nina,
I still am posting from time to time. Just don't have the *stamina* to sit at my computer... leg and foot issues keep me from being comfortable too long at a time.

I did go back to the doc on Tuesday for an EMG - a very uncomfortable test that checks nerve damage (needles sticking in skin and electric shocks!). I'm having serious pain issues in my right foot, some tingling and loss of feeling in my foot an ankle and knee pain. The test was to see if it was damage from my pelvis fractures or from my knee. Turns out that the injury/damage is to my knee - the nerves have been injured - the doc described it as bruising. They *should* heal - eventually. The doc said nerves take a long time to heal, so I should *be patient* (something I'm not the best at).:( He gave me a prescription for Lyrica, but I'm having to jump through hoops to get my ins. company to approve it for this use. We'll see if they ever do. The doc seems to think it will help - after about 3 weeks of use.

In the meantime, I'm going to PT three times a week. Leg exercises with 4# ankle weights, 20 minutes on the recumbent eliptical, and 15 min. on the treadmill. Although I *favor* my right foot due to the pain, my gait is almost back to normal.
I still have a very long way to go, but I have come a very long way.:D

Thanks so much for asking.

[mary9761]

Tonight I did something at bikejournal.com that I've not been able to do for nearly 7 months. During my PT this afternoon, I got to ride a recumbent stationary verrrrrrrrry slowly and boy did it take it out of me. I don't have miles because they didn't have the bike set up for anything like that, but that was the first time I've had feet in pedals for a LONG TIME! I got to go for around 10-15 minutes and I was very slow and DEFINITELY felt it in my back. My legs weren't quite long enough when the therapist moved the seat back for my legs to bend on the up stroke, my belly was a bit in the way.
I told the therapists that the exercises and walking seem to be aggravating the leg/nerve again as I've been pretty uncomfortable. I may start some stretches along with the few isometrics I've been doing. I wish it wasn't so far to WALK to the PT office through the hospital, Mark had a pedometer on and it said we walked a mile altogether no wonder I'm tired, but I did walk all the way too and from PT this time, but between not sleeping well again last night and the PT, I'm worn out. Even with my lumbar roll, I don't know how well I did on the recumbent, it was definitely different than anything I've ever tried before. I have another PT session on Friday then I go for my follow up from surgery on Monday. I also have 2 PT sessions next week. I'm going to keep doing my exercises the therapists are giving me, some days are harder than others, but I'm hoping that I'll sleep tonight. I'm kind of rambling because I'm toast from today, but I wanted to post an update.
It's been frustrating not being able to do even as much now as before my surgery. I've been posting some on bike journal, but I have been fighting the blues quite a bit off and on. I told the therapists and doctors that getting back on my bike and getting back to being active is vital to not only my physical well being but to my mental health. I've tried to explain to the therapists and doctors what kind of bike I ride. Most people don't understand what a comfort bike is, so I'm going to see if I can find a good photograph of my bike (hard copy) or see if I can send a good digital to my phone to show them. Most people know road bikes, or mountain bikes and so most of the time I try to tell them it's a bit like a glorified mountain bike but it doesn't beat you to death.
I hope that everyone else is getting healthier, I'm so far behind on the forum. Some days sitting is difficult, some days standing or walking is more difficult, but I'm going to keep trying. When they told me today that I could try to get on the stationary (there was another woman on the taller (upright) stationary, I could hardly get to the thing fast enough, but I do know now I have my work cut out for me when I do get to get back on anything. I thought my legs would just be ready to go, I told the guy that I'd been jonesing for a ride for 7 months then I wore myself out pretty quickly partly just getting on the bike. Thanks for asking Nina and I'm sorry for being absent for a while again. I'll try to do a bit more updating (hopefully there will be more to say than just "I'm bored, *****y and depressed")

[mary9761]

Jeannie, I know exactly what you mean about EMGs. OMG, they hit the right frequency and spot and you're ready to come off the table on them. I'm sorry to hear you're having nerve problems. I hope you feel better soon too.((((Jeannie))))

[jeannierides]

Thanks, Mary. I'm sorry you're having such difficulties. It sounds like you're making much progress, though. Keep plugging, girl. We're both going to get where we need to be! ((((((((((Mary)))))))))))

[bmccasland]

Jeannie & Mary,
Glad to hear you're making progress. Hopefully things will continue to improve. We're all known for our patience... after about 3 days we want to be better, NOW!

Continued healing juju heading your way.

[silver]

I'm wondering about Makbike too. We haven't heard from her since her surgery. I hope she is doing well.

[Ninabike]

Yes Makbike, we need to hear from you. Don't get discouraged ladies. You have already been an inspiration to so many.

[makbike]

Makbike is reporting in and all is well. I came through the surgery with no problems but am now less my left ovary. Doctor told my parents the ovary & cyst had grown to "softball" size so it appears "junior" had hit a growth spurt given just two weeks ago he was just the size of a tennis ball. The growth was benign and that was great news to receive.

My right tube was tied off and that side is by far the sorest. It is very bruised and the bruises feel very deep thus making it hard to get comfortable. I've been putting ice packs on this side in hopes of reducing some of the swelling and bruising. I can't help but think too that maybe they worked the laparoscope through the right side for most of the surgery given the size of the incision and the amount of bruising. My left side feels super. It is so nice to be free of that consistant pain.

I've been walking each day, today I've taken two .75 mile strolls. I'm not setting any new land records but being up and about helps to break the boredom. I can start driving tomorrow and I know that will help as well. My dad went home yesterday and my mom is planning on leaving on Saturday. I know she has to be bored stiff for there is nothing to do here, hell I'm bored and I live here. I have discovered this week that I'm not a very good "sitter," guess I take after my dad in this department.

All in all life is very good and I feel so very lucky.

[silver]

Oh, so good to hear from you, makbike! Glad that you are feeling that the surgery was successful. Sorry you are still in some pain, but hopefully that will be gone soon. :)

[mary9761]

Sorry to hear about your surgery makbike, glad it was a benign cyst as fast as that puppy grew. I don't think any of us who have become active are good "sitters" when we can't be active.:rolleyes:

[mary9761]

I wanted to share the best news I've had in a very long time. I actually got to use the upright stationary during PT today at the hospital. I rode the stationary for just over 10 minutes and since I was able to keep the rpms in the zone to be able to keep the machine going I got to actually record my "mileage" 3.67 miles in 00:10:12. Yeah, it's not much, but the endorphin buzz I got just from that short ride has me nearly in tears of joy.
The therapist "officially" added several other exercises that I'd tried the last couple of days to see how they felt and if they helped with pain etc. I took photos of my bike and trainer set up and my therapist told me depending on how I feel in a couple days and haven't caused a major flare up from today's "ride" that I can try 5 minutes on MY bike on MY trainer. Keep your fingers crossed! Here are a couple photos from today. I know they probably thought it was weird we had the camera, but I had brought the photos of the bicycle and set up to show him, so when he said I could get on the stationary, Mark grabbed the camera! I pray this actually helps me heal quicker. I know, I know don't over do it too much too fast... Who me??

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mary9761/Mary%20PT%202007/15june07marypt01-1.jpghttp://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mary9761/Mary%20PT%202007/15june07marypt02-1.jpghttp://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mary9761/Mary%20PT%202007/15june07marypt05-1.jpg

[emily_in_nc]

Yay Mary - you go girl! It can only get better from here!

I remember so well taking my first tentative steps on my right leg after fracturing my pelvis in a cycling accident in April 2005 and having surgery to piece my ilium back together. I thought I'd never walk normally again. I can now run and hike and ride and everything I did before my accident. :)

Everyone here is pulling for you and will be happy to hear more success stories of your progress!

Emily

[Mr. Bloom]

Hooray for all the progress being made!!!! Ya'll are determined...I'm a very wimpy sicky...I don't recover well at all!