Update:
It has been awhile since I’ve posted an update. It has been a rough recovery time for me
following kidney surgery. During that
time the doctors also found that my liver was struggling, so they changed all
my medications to ease the stress on it.
Unfortunately, I had reactions to some of the new medications they put
me on that put me back in the hospital for an additional six days. Without giving TMI, I’ve also had almost
continuous bowel issues (just think extremes on both ends of the spectrum) since
the surgery/med changes. For the last
month the only place outside the house that I’ve gone to is the hospital ER/doctor
visits. I haven’t felt well enough or strong
enough to go anywhere else, including church on Sundays. Fortunately, I am beginning to feel better. I might try a few short outings. I don’t have much energy yet, so I’ll be
picking and choosing.
On Monday (7/20), I have a post-op follow up appointment with my
Urologist. Hopefully, my restrictions
will be removed so that I can drive and exercise, etc. if I feel up to it. I need to begin to rebuild my strength and
stamina. All I have been doing for the
last two months is sitting in the wheelchair, the recliner, or lying in
bed. I am really looking forward to
resuming life again.
I had an appointment with the surgeon who did my below the knee amputation
(12/2013) about the painful nerve on the end of my residual limb. The pain is what stopped me from wearing a
prosthesis and walking for the last several months. After examining me, he told me that he didn’t
know it was but it wasn’t the neuroma that it was assumed to be. So much for a fairly simple surgery to repair
it and move on. He said that although he’s
dealt with 100’s of amputations, he has never seen anything like what I have
before. He was going to do some research
and consult other surgeons about it. He
may refer me to specialists over in Rochester, MN (hometown of the Mayo Health
System). Right now, there is no surgical
option or quick fix. He said that it is
obvious that the nerve was bruised and the only thing we may be able to do is
give time for it to heal. The doctor
said that nerves heal about 1 cm per month.
From the amount of painful area that I have, that could mean 8-12 months
for it to completely heal. Anything that
I do to bump, bruise or reinjure it resets the clock. The bottom line is that I might be stuck in
the wheelchair for the next year before my leg is healed enough to enable me to
wear a prosthesis again. That is sobering
news! I am hoping that the doctors will still
find some easy fix and I can move on with my life; but I am mentally preparing
for the long haul.
I’ve got to say that spending the year in the wheelchair isn’t my idea
of having fun. There are a lot of things
that I will miss out on without the ability to walk. On the other hand, if I am able to drive and
get around by myself as I have in the past with my wheelchair, then it would be
bearable. One of the things that I
really want to do is start going back to the gym to work out and to swim.
So there is still a lot of “wait and see” that I am facing. Is my kidney/ureter healed enough for me to
resume life? Is my liver returning to
health? Will there be any options to
repair my residual limb or will I just have to wait it out? I’m also on hold waiting for another facet
injection or treatment to reduce my back pain.
I am still “fighting” with my insurance company over purchasing a
wheelchair for me (I’ve been borrowing the one I have and it’s time to give it
back). With medication changes that were
made, I don’t have anything for minor or moderate pain. All I have is narcotics for major pain. Not having options is a major pain in
itself. I haven’t been sleeping at
night. That has been driving me
crazy. I could go on and on and on; but
you get the idea.
The only thing constant in all of this has been my faith in God and the
devotion of my wife to me. I don’t know
where all of this is headed. I don’t
know what will happen next. It seems
like eventually I will start to get good news and have some things go right for
a change. Perhaps it will and perhaps it
won’t. I cannot change my circumstances,
and I don’t have any control over my health and vitality. The only thing that I have control over is my
attitude—I plan on it remaining positive no matter what I face and how long it
takes. If you think about it, what other
options do I have? I could rage against
the injustice OR I could be depressed and become bitter. NOPE!
I think a positive attitude of hope and faith no matter my circumstances
is a much better option. That way whatever
happens to me, I will be a better person for it.
Whatever you are facing, I’d encourage you to choose the attitude you
want to have. You might as well make the
best out of what life has dealt you too.
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