Well at least no more external metal. Staples are out and not itching. Yay! Dr. Mac and his nurse Melissa were very impressed at my walking...I am doing MUCH better than was ever expected. For that I am thankful and know that the numerous and continuous prayers to a healing God are the cause of the fast healing.
Also got a new Xray taken this morning and got to see the amazing things he was able to do in the surgery...I actually have four screws and two rods compressing the SI joint. I no longer have sacroiliac joints thus eliminating the pain that existed before...and I pray that after the healing is done that pain doesn't return.
Part of my quick healing is also thanks to Dr. Mac's talent and ability to bend one of the rods over my sacrum while staying under the muscle. If he had cut the muscle it would make healing a much lengthier process. I am so thankful for the experience and talent of my doctor and the surgical team.
I continue to be thankful for all of the outpouring of love and support from my friends (I would say co-workers, but they are all such great friends it seems to generic) Visitors are always welcome, I have been napping during the day, but I am happy to see anyone that wants to stop by.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Medically Speaking
The surgery I had was pretty intense and lasted four hours...My surgeon did an excellent job on a very complicated surgery.
He began by cleaning out the bony growth and cartilage in the sacroiliac joints. Once the joints were cleaned out he created a substance from the bone graft taken from the back of my iliac bones and cemented the iliac bone on both sides to either side of the sacrum. Once they were glued together, titanium screws were inserted through the iliac into the rebuilt joint. Each of the screws attached to a titanium rod that compressed the joints together. By fixing the joints with hardware, the sacroiliac joint will fuse correctly into one solid bone.
I am really hopeful that this will be the only surgery, but the AS has started fusing my lumbar spine and only time will tell if it will have to be fixed and fused as well.
He began by cleaning out the bony growth and cartilage in the sacroiliac joints. Once the joints were cleaned out he created a substance from the bone graft taken from the back of my iliac bones and cemented the iliac bone on both sides to either side of the sacrum. Once they were glued together, titanium screws were inserted through the iliac into the rebuilt joint. Each of the screws attached to a titanium rod that compressed the joints together. By fixing the joints with hardware, the sacroiliac joint will fuse correctly into one solid bone.
I am really hopeful that this will be the only surgery, but the AS has started fusing my lumbar spine and only time will tell if it will have to be fixed and fused as well.
One day , one step
Frustration is still the most challenging part of the whole surgery. I have learned to live with the pain, medicate the pain or just ignore it. I have learned how to move without irritating the staples. Yet I still can't walk normally, I can't reach to the top shelf and most of all I cannot stoop and reach in any direction. That is the most frustrating part of the whole healing process.
I can feel the soreness of where the bone was cut and the titanium rod that is holding my pelvic bones together. I know it will all pass eventually and hopefully the AS pain will be improved...unfortunately there isn't a surgery to fix AS completely.
I can feel the soreness of where the bone was cut and the titanium rod that is holding my pelvic bones together. I know it will all pass eventually and hopefully the AS pain will be improved...unfortunately there isn't a surgery to fix AS completely.
Home
I got to come home earlier than expected and it was such a relief to be in my own bed, despite the pain and difficulty of getting into bed.
I knew the pain would be bad, but the crazy thing is my pain tolerance is already so high, the pain was never worse than before surgery. It is just different and in different places. The limitations on my movement is the most frustrating part of the whole surgery. I love learning, however relearning to walk is not that exciting.
It is amazing though that the SI pain from before surgery is gone. Once the healing is done I will be so happy to see if it really is gone...
I knew the pain would be bad, but the crazy thing is my pain tolerance is already so high, the pain was never worse than before surgery. It is just different and in different places. The limitations on my movement is the most frustrating part of the whole surgery. I love learning, however relearning to walk is not that exciting.
It is amazing though that the SI pain from before surgery is gone. Once the healing is done I will be so happy to see if it really is gone...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Taking care of me
The hours drag past and I should be asleep, but I see everything that has to be done before I leave in the morning...what a weird feeling: packing like I am traveling, but I will only be a few minutes from my apartment. Don't have the option to run home and grab anything...I am stuck in the hospital bed for at least 5 days. I will go in at 8 this morning for a bilateral Sacroiliac fusion with pelvic graft and titanium hardware fixing it all together.
The prayers and well wishes have been overwhelming and the offer of help, which one should always be thankful for, has made it harder for me to prepare me. The irony is that I truly enjoy doing for other people and helping however I can, but now I have offers for help...it really is easier to do it myself...not to mention, once all of the help has gone, I still live here and have to be able to find things (quite possibly with limited mobility).
I will be forever grateful for the people that He has sent to provide for my needs and the ability to humble myself and receive the blessings He has in store.
Only five and a half hours until it is my turn...
The prayers and well wishes have been overwhelming and the offer of help, which one should always be thankful for, has made it harder for me to prepare me. The irony is that I truly enjoy doing for other people and helping however I can, but now I have offers for help...it really is easier to do it myself...not to mention, once all of the help has gone, I still live here and have to be able to find things (quite possibly with limited mobility).
I will be forever grateful for the people that He has sent to provide for my needs and the ability to humble myself and receive the blessings He has in store.
Only five and a half hours until it is my turn...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tree trunks and water balloons...
The past two weeks have been overwhelming...Surgery is fast approaching
In the Rheumatologist's office, the informational TV is constantly scrolling and one of the pieces of wisdom..."Taking your medicine everyday is not a reminder of how sick you are, it is a reminder of the good you are doing for yourself" Although I still don't know if I agree with that statement, I do know first hand that TWO weeks without them, feels like 2 months. The meds make you forget what the symptoms were that made you start on them in the first place.
My hands and feet are more swollen than I have ever seen in my life (really ugly too) but the pain they experience to the touch will be with me for a long time. In exchange for all of these returning RA/AS symptoms, the pain patch has worked to alleviate the pain in the SI joints, but then again, I might just be distracted by all of the new pains and mobility issues...oh yeah, I am still off the meds until 4 weeks after surgery.
The optimism seems to get lost in the management of the new and worsening symptoms, but nonetheless, I concentrate on the promise of each new day (and even more so now, the freedom from work)
In the Rheumatologist's office, the informational TV is constantly scrolling and one of the pieces of wisdom..."Taking your medicine everyday is not a reminder of how sick you are, it is a reminder of the good you are doing for yourself" Although I still don't know if I agree with that statement, I do know first hand that TWO weeks without them, feels like 2 months. The meds make you forget what the symptoms were that made you start on them in the first place.
My hands and feet are more swollen than I have ever seen in my life (really ugly too) but the pain they experience to the touch will be with me for a long time. In exchange for all of these returning RA/AS symptoms, the pain patch has worked to alleviate the pain in the SI joints, but then again, I might just be distracted by all of the new pains and mobility issues...oh yeah, I am still off the meds until 4 weeks after surgery.
The optimism seems to get lost in the management of the new and worsening symptoms, but nonetheless, I concentrate on the promise of each new day (and even more so now, the freedom from work)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Lucky
So happy that I made it through another week...and a week with good news, at least in the big picture. I saw a surgeon this week and he was skeptical at first that someone so 'young' was willing to have such an extensive surgery. And then I began the story, from the age of 19 whether he wanted it or not. Finally he was accepting of my need for the surgery and that it is my last hope of regaining my life as it was before the disease progressed. Lots of X-rays and a 3-D CT scan and I revisit him this Friday. Hopefully I will be able to plan the next few months of my life next Friday afternoon.
This is a blessing and challenge, but 'I can do all things' (Phil. 4:13) through faith in Him. I am also beyond blessed to have friends that I consider family that are willing to help as I go through this. Even one that knows me too well and says I should be making the list of what I will need so everyone can plan to be a part of the schedule. Just a reminder of the blessings that are shower even in the midst of the daily challenges.
This is a blessing and challenge, but 'I can do all things' (Phil. 4:13) through faith in Him. I am also beyond blessed to have friends that I consider family that are willing to help as I go through this. Even one that knows me too well and says I should be making the list of what I will need so everyone can plan to be a part of the schedule. Just a reminder of the blessings that are shower even in the midst of the daily challenges.
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