It has been crazy the last few weeks as the semester winds down and I deal with unnecessary work drama. I have also been anxiously waiting for a response from Dr. Millis about the status of my hip and what the next step is going to be. After numerous emails, messages and phone calls I received an email from Dr. Millis last Thursday afternoon. I had just spent 3+ hours at a pain clinic and had headed into work for a few hours. I checked my email and was excited to finally receive a response from Dr. Millis, but was not expecting what I saw next. He said "there is no question that the alignment changed during the last several months of the healing process--NOT a usual thing." My jaw had nearly hit the floor. I was in complete shock and definitely not expecting this. I was expecting to hear that my bone may not be healed and that it would be a little longer to remove the plate, instead I read that my right leg has to be fixed, yet again. Millis said "if we go in to possibly remove the plate and screws and find out things are not yet healed, there will be some choices to be made about what to do--including trying to realign the bone a bit and putting bone graft in." I am not sure what the other options are or what we would do if the bone is completely healed. I emailed him back with numerous questions and a time frame for the next surgery, but am still waiting for a response or call, yet again. Waiting is very difficult, especially when questions and issues are left open-ended. I have thought through many different options, but am still not sure what I am going to do. This is not what I was expecting and something I have feared.
*Head/Neck: My head and neck MRI came back inconclusive, but I am scheduled to see a neurologist in February. It was the closest appointment, which seems like forever because the constant headaches and neck pain have not improved. At least it is scheduled and I can always see my PCP if there are further issues.
*Lt. Shoulder: My shoulder has become unable to bear weight through using my crutch. I am trying to let it rest and use it as little as possible. New pain, catching, etc., have occurred so I am scheduled to see a specialist in about 2 weeks. His name is Dr. Misamore at Methodist Sports Medicine and he has an excellent reputation and specialized experience in the shoulder. He is also a lifelong friend of my pain doc, Dr. Wright. My bestie, Jess, has also seen him and she loves him, so I know I am in good hands. I have gone to Methodist Sports for many years and to many of their docs and they do an excellent job with patient care so I feel comfortable with them. They also sponsor the COLTS!!!
*Hips: As I previously mentioned, I am still waiting to hear from Dr. Millis in regards to the right hip. I just had bursa injections in the left and they seem to help for a few weeks. Both hips have been locking, catching and giving way, so I am trying to be cautious.
*Nerves/Pain Management: I see my pain doc and his partner in a few weeks for a ketamine consult. It should help "reset" my nerves and control the hypsensitivity and flares.
I have been having a lot of pain lately and difficulty controlling my pain. I have been trying to walk without crutches because of my shoulder, but my right leg and hip are very weak so it takes a lot of effort and energy and I fatigue easily. I was prescribed a medicine to help called, Nuvigil. It is suppose to help with the fatigue during the day. The first dose was too much and made me nauseous and shakey. I halfed the dose and it seems to help better without as many side effects. It does make it harder to fall asleep at night, but I am still getting use to it.
I had a wonderful time over the Thanksgiving holiday. I got to eat amazing, home-cooked food that my mom made for nearly every meal, spent time with my older brother and my sister-in-law, watched movies, slept in and had a 2 hour deep-tissue massage to help with my sore body. We also got to take photos for the family Christmas card which my sister-in-law Danelle took and they turned out amazing! Chloe even made the card too :)
I am ready for the next two weeks to be over, to be on Christmas break and to be done with classes until next fall! I am also swamped with work and filing for different forms of disability because I have surgeries to plan around. I am also anxiously awaiting a response from Millis to know what is going to happen next. I hope it is sooner rather than later! Let Finals Begin!!!
