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.

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.