 |
| "Foam soles" seems to be the comfiest thing right now. |
Hi everybody! Ok let's get to it...
The biggest thing in the past two weeks is that the pain in my leg was persistent even with all the stretching I was doing for my sciatic nerve. As you recall I sent out an email asking for help to both my doctors one weekend. I'll spare the details and say that ultimately neither was of help to me in this matter. "I" even had to ask to be given an Rx for physical therapy (PT).
When I asked if PT would have me do stretches I'm already doing on my own, the answer I got was, "It's probable." It was also said, "Patients your age usually do good on their own. It's older patients that seem to need the motivation of a three-times-a-week commitment to stick with it."
Nonetheless I decided to have my doctor give me the Rx anyway because I'm going for surgery soon for my right foot and need this pain addressed now! I made an appointment to go in a week (the only opening they had).
The pain was miserable and led me to pray quite a bit about it. Feeling alone in the matter I asked for wisdom of what to do about the pain to relieve it. Sure enough 4 days ago a notion entered my brain. I asked myself what had I been doing for 4 months because of this surgery that isn't part of my normal routine. "SITTING" is the word that came to mind.
I felt like a broken record in my posts, with my doctor... and my friends, with my: "I can't sit upright yet! I have to sit reclined with my legs up because of the congestion in my leg." Well it occurred to me that my manner of sitting was putting pressure on my sciatic nerve, aggravating it. Working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week now, in this position may be increasing the problem.
I immediately sat upright with feet on the floor! It felt odd at first and of course I felt the congestion setting into my leg, but it's certainly not as bad as it was 2 months ago. I really wanted to give this a go so I forced myself to stay upright during my work day. I FELT BETTER! Three days later 80% of my sciatic pain was gone! Praise God for giving me this inclination!!
Any sciatic pain I feel now I believe is just the nerve inflamed for what it's been through and my lack of exercise. As I continue to sit upright and let things heal I'm convinced it will totally go away. I will be canceling the physical therapy for tomorrow. From what I've gathered, I will be made to do stretches I'm already doing, inconvenience my work schedule 3 times a week, and cost me $120 a week in copay fees. So I'll do it on my own. (see newer posts... I ended up going to one PT session.)
Other than that, I still have the regular pain that comes along with this surgery at this time by practicing walking again. (and swelling) I'm doing stretches to regain flexibility in my tendons, muscles, etc.
The thing I found that helps the most in this matter is to not be annoyed that I'm still in pain at 18 weeks in. Instead I look back to see what I couldn't do 2 weeks ago. When you look at how you can do something now that you couldn't do 2 week prior, it makes you feel real good. It's important to celebrate progress. Not the amount, just the fact that you're progressing. ;o) I've learned to say "YAY FOR ME!"
MEDICATION
I'm taking either ibuprofen or naproxen to address any inflammation.
I'M NO LINGER USING MY BOOT OR CRUTCHES. I did get a cane though because I went to an outing where there was a lot of people and I wanted to visually tag myself as someone to be careful around. ;o) (Now that I'm beginning my 18th week I've stopped using the ace bandage altogether. My foot is now bare and in sneakers or foam flip flops.) Walking barefoot on floor is still too uncomfortable.
I can only walk short distances before the pain makes me stop and rest. ei: I can walk my dog in the morning and then go to a doctor's appointment, by the time I get home, my foot is in quite a bit of pain and I have to sit and lift my foot up for a bit. But in a very short period of time I feel fine again. ;o) YAY!
 |
| Pretty. |
I couldn't resist these! They are actually really tight. But I have a theory, that they are tight in all the right places based on the fact that "pressure" is the best thing for hypertrophic scars.
I'll wear these around the house to stretch them out.
You can see my right bunion sticking out! That is going away in three weeks!! ;o)
I got these to help me look forward to my surgery in three weeks and my vacation cruise in 4 months!
Now a member at DSW! Yay for me!! ;o)
Tootles!
No comments:
Post a Comment