Dr. Visit - Good News

I just wanted to let you all know that I had my dr. appt. with the *new* orthopedic yesterday afternoon. After taking more xrays, he determined that my fractures were almost completely healed, and that the tendons, etc., should also be healed by now. He then went on to say that over the course of this month - a few hours at a time for now - I can walk without the aid of a crutch or cane!!:D :D :D No outside walking for exercise yet, but after my next visit. In the meantime, I have been able to go up and down the steps of my townhouse using only the bannister rails for support!:D

I am also having pretty severe nerve pain in my feet, probably caused by the pelvic injuries, and will be having a test (emg, I think) in a week or two to determine how severe the damage is and where it's coming from. After that test he will decide what to do about it. For now, it's Tylenol and Oxycodone. I see him again in a month.

When we talked about the future and my active lifestyle, he had no negativity. Although he didn't give me the impression that he thought I'd be as *good as new*, he did say that a goal of walking a 5 or 10k was not out of reach, and that I should swim - and ride my bike!! (Of course, inside for a couple of months.) He was very encouraging, and we left with more hope than I have had in months. :D

This is HUGE, and although my emotions are a mess right now, I am thrilled! Thank you all for your continued prayers and positive energy in my behalf!

YAYYY!!!!!

So nice to hear you're healing :)

Isn't hope a wonderful word?

Take care & i'll bike a few extra 'km's for you :)

C

That's excellent news!!!!!

Glad you've got a new doc who's working *with* you!!!

CA

Fantastic! Gotta love it when the doc thinks n terms of what you CAN do as opposed to the old stand-by of looking at limitations!! Keep your spirits up, the light at the end of the tunnel is sunshine.

Hoooray! That is just great!

Yay! Jeannie that is fantastic!! Happy butterflies surrounding you and keeping that hope with you for as long as you need it! :D

Hugs,
~T~

Jeannie, you're tough, we're all behind you!
yayyy!!

Great to hear, Jeannie.
Was thinking of pm'ing you to say how good it was to see you posting on the forum about Other Things, but you beat me to it.
Remember it is all progress and we are *never* as good as new *anyway*; even if nothing happens to us. It's always just a question of the *gradient* of the long downhill slide from 23 years old! :o
Sounds like a good Dr, btw. Better than The Other One who I am sure has been feeling the effects of the various TE witchy curses sent in his general direction over the past little while!

Jeannie, you are on my mind ALOT!! I'm SOO happy to hear you are healing and doing so well !! I cannot even begin to imagine what you have had to overcome, you are a TRUE INSPIRATION !! I know it's cheesy and overstated, but YOU GO GIRL!!!!:D
~~~HUGS~~~

Jenn

This is great news. It only shows what a positive attitude and determination can do. Keep pluggin' away, Jeannie! Keep us posted.

Jeannie, I am so glad to hear that you are progessing and that your hopes are up. Things will work out and you WILL be on that new bike!!

Its great to hear you are making progress and your new doc is more positive. So much of the healing process is about the attitude and perspective. Take care of yourself. :)

That is really wonderful news Jeannie! I'm so happy for you. Keep plugging away, it will all get better. Sending RESOLVE your way when the going gets tough.

spoke

Jeannie!!!! How awesome! I am just getting to the office today (management team retreat today and tomorrow - no phones, no internet....just WORK :eek: :eek: :eek: ). I am SOOOO excited!!!!

So....when are we going out on the town??? :D ;)

Great news Jeannie! So glad to hear you're doing better. :D

Great news! Keep up your spirits and you will just keeping improving as time goes on.

Thanks for the update!

Jeannie! that's wonderful!!! Such good new to hear.

My accident wasn't anywhere near as bad as yours. I have certainly identified with you.

I've wondered too, what injuries have been the biggest obstacle for you. Is it the extent of your broken pelvis?

I'm so sorry that you have been through this and I hope that your progress continues to be good!!!

Thanks, everyone. Today has been my first full day without the crutch. I walk like an old woman - well, worse, actually. My body is stiff and muscles tight. When I walk, I move my whole body instead of walking from my hips and waist... due to the protective nature I've had to take during this recovery. My physical therapist thinks some of my muscles and tendons may have shortened during the time I've not used them. They will recover, but will need lots of PT. Today we worked on stability and mobility... I did leg weight work as well as the little balance board... and lots of squats. It's very exhausting, but I'm sure worth it. We'll see how I feel in the morning!:rolleyes:

Silver, yes, the worst has been the pelvic injuries. The pelvis fractures were *open book* fractures, which are quite serious (of course, all pelvic fractures are serious), the sacral pubis fracture can render the pelvis unstable if the tendons don't strengthen and hold it together while it is healing... that's what kept me from being able to put full weight on my right leg until now. Most of my pain at this point is due to some kind of nerve damage in my leg or pelvis. This causes my feet to hurt. Hopefully the doc can tell me more about that after the test next Tuesday.

Jeannie,

So glad to hear your good news! I know that recovery is slow, but think how far you've come! So glad your doctor was so encouraging. Swimming seems like it would be very good for you, if you have a place you could do that.

I had to go through "gait retraining" with a PT when learning to walk properly again after no weight-bearing on my right side for 8 weeks after my own pelvic fractures, so I know a little of what you are going through. But I didn't have the foot/leg nerve problems you mention. I do have some lingering sacroiliac (SI) joint pain on road rides, though, which manifests as deep dull pain at the top of my right buttock. Hopefully you won't have this after-effect! My right leg is a little shorter than my left now too, so I adjust my cleat a forward on that shoe. I toy with the idea of having a cortisone injection in the joint and may still do that, as the orthopedic surgeon told me that after two years I was as healed as I was likely to get, and this pain has been pretty much the same since I started riding again after my accident. Hiking and jogging don't bother it, but kayaking does, because of the way the back of my pelvis hits the seatback.

I wish you the best in your continued recovery....every day stronger!

Emily

Thanks, Emily. I think the *gait retraining* will certainly be part of my pt as well. I guess time will tell if I have lingering pain. The doc thinks it's certainly possible. Right now my right knee is giving me some pain, but I'm hoping it's just because it's still weak from not being used. As you know, it's hard to be patient, and I tend to overdo (as when I was standing and cooking dinner tonight). My neighborhood pool is just across the street from my townhouse, and I certainly plan to use it... right now it doesn't open til 4 p.m... and I have to locate my swimsuit!:rolleyes:
I really appreciate the encouragement from you all. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by silver

I have certainly identified with you.

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Silver will also attest that every 36 hours, she'd experience an emotional meltdown from boredom, stir craziness, pain, etc.

Your strength is evidenced by the distance you've come, so don't get discouraged because your emotions reveal your humanity

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

Silver will also attest that every 36 hours, she'd experience an emotional meltdown from boredom, stir craziness, pain, etc.

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Thanks for your thoughtful words. I haven't had the boredom issue quite yet... dso has been off work due to his own surgery, and we've kept each other company. He goes back to work, however, tomorrow, and I may have a little bit of that. Work is still a couple of months away for me. The pain can make me feel I'm going crazy at times, though. I do know I've come an extremely long way - and in a relatively short amount of time. (I also know I'm going through a LOT of books these days... thanks to one of our own TE members... Velobambina - aka Suzanne.)

Oh, and IFJane... just let me know when...;)

Jeannie, I am so happy to hear of all the wonderful progress you have made. I am sorry for not posting earlier, but some posts get passed me from one section to another.

It is great reading your updates.

~ JoAnn

Jeannierides, congrats on every step you've taken in this process to wellness. I admire your tenacious attitude. Continue to be patient with your body and it will take you where you want to go.