So many nurses and youre testicles are wollen?... 
Im only there From mid october. That is when youre almost gone then, isnt it?
Vas y Glenn!
Hi Axelf!
Hahaha.. Actually, sex is the last thing on your mind when there is a catheter sticking out of you. Also, only male nurses will handle your genitals. 
At this point, more men have seen my penis than a swimming pool change room. 
I am flying away on Oct 31, so if you want to share for your first two weeks I am fine with that, as long as it's ok with KrP1.
...
Today a few key milestones happened:
1. I was able to transfer myself from the bed to the wheeled chair. Basically, Hector and a nurse lowered the bed and put the chair next to the bed. I mostly relied on upper body to pull myself into the correct position to sit. Later in the day, I was confident enough to get myself back onto the bed from the chair. I didn't call for any assistance and the nurses were surprised that I was back on my bed without calling them.
2. I managed to finally use the actual toilet and poo. While I was on the chair I asked the nurse to wheel me into the washroom. From there, I again relied on upper body to pull myself onto the toilet seat. After I was settled in, the nurse left to give me some privacy (there's a bell inside the washroom to call them after you're done).
3. Dr. Monegal dropped by to see how I was doing. He said I could try to stand on my feet with assistance. So while I was on the chair he basically picked me up while I hugged him. When I was in a standing position, he told me to let go of him. I was able to maintain a standing position on my own weight for a few seconds. Although this is a far cry from actually walking, I think it really says a lot about the strength of the Fitbone rod.
Currently it's been over half a day since my epidural has been removed. They're only giving me intermittent IVs mixed with water now. Feel pretty ok. There's a stinging sensation near my left knee (pain level 1, it comes and goes...more of a nuisance really), and my outer left thigh is itchy (where the incision was made).
End of Day 4:
It's Monday so the old breakfast lady was back on shift today. We get along fine now since I've learned that she knows the words "croissant" and "orange juice." She gives me a smile and says "Bye" every time she comes pick up and drop off my tray now. Amazing how a simple smile can convey so much intention much more than words.
I had two PT sessions today. One with Hector in the morning, and then again on the same machine with another physiotherapist, Alberto, in the afternoon. Alberto is meticulous and just as nice as Hector. Morning PT session was challenging with stiff muscles. I did 100 degrees on left leg and 110 degrees on the right. Afternoon with the same settings was a breeze.
Dr. Monegal also came by during lunch with new physiotherapist Claudio. I'm looking forward to getting to know him since I can feel that he is going to push me hard. Claudio will be working on me tomorrow.
I asked the nurses to pull out my catheter. Life is better when you're master of your own bladder. I can now use a walker to slowly to make it to the washroom and back. It takes a lot of stamina out of me, but I'm loving the freedom. Standing upright is no problem, but getting in and out of bed is the difficult part that I'm trying to be very, very, careful about. I don't want to do anything stupid and injure myself at this stage of the game.
It's tough to do this several times a day, but my personal feeling is that day-to-day activities like getting out of bed, moving around and going to the washroom is one of the best forms of PT one can do. You guys have no idea how much of a psychological boost this is to be able to clean yourself without any assistance.
( The first time I used the walker was so physically demanding I had to blast the Rocky Song just to get myself through it.
Coincidentally, who does the bass guitarist at 1:36 remind you of? 
)
On a side note, I had the fortune of running into the anesthesiologist's assistant from a few days ago (the one that was whispering in my ear during the anesthesia). One of the saddest things for me is that I'll never be able to fully communicate my appreciation to all the amazing human beings I've met on this journey. So I was really grateful for the chance to let her know that I didn't take her assistance lightly. Dr. Monegal I think told her I was writing about my experience online and wrote about her. She said, "ah, thank you!" I didn't know how else to express my gratitude so I just clutched one of her hands close to mine. She smiled warmly in response and tousled my hair. I still don't know what her name is, but I don't think it matters. As long as she knows I'm sincerely grateful it's enough for me.
Hi glenn, great diary so far and glad to hear you're doing well! really respect your positive attitude and appreciation for everything, which can be tough at the beginning when pain is high and the smallest tasks like going to the bathroom are are so hard. wishing you the best man
also, another great rocky song if you ever need some more motivation haha
Hey Goldenegg, good to hear from you again! Thanks for that clip, I ended up following the Youtube suggestions and watched almost all of the Rocky soundtracks, haha :-)
Yesterday, Dr. Monegal showed me how to use the machine to lengthen the Fitbone rods. There's a small box-like machine (about the size of a box of cigars) that plugs into the wall outlet. From the box, there's another wire that attaches to a dongle. Inside your leg, there are wired contacts that are directly connected to the rods (the contacts are skin-deep and you can feel it with your fingers). To lengthen, you place the dongle on top of your skin, above the contact and press a button on the box. The dongle sends a signal to the contact and instructs it to lengthen a predetermined distance (you confirm that it works by simultaneously listening to your leg with a stethoscope. You can hear a distinct motorized whirling sound as the rod extends).
Yesterday Martha also switched my bandages for me. I was a bit naive; I didn't even know that that had to be done! She pulled my leggings off and replaced the bandages one-by-one as I busily played on my phone. I had a flashback of my childhood as a toddler, my two older sisters would braid my hair while I played with my toys quietly by myself.
Elena (my Airbnb host) also came to visit me yesterday! Her husband Jose and their young son Leo also came. It was good to see them again and meet like old friends even though we were total strangers in different parts of the world just two weeks ago! As they left, Leo gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek. This LL journey of mine hasn't just been a physical journey, it's also allowed me to explore my humanity and I'm truly grateful for all the meaningful connections I've been able to make with people I've met on this adventure.
Remember Elena's wheelchair I mentioned previously? I bought it off her for 100 Euro, so now I have a ride 
. I promised Musicmaker that we would have wheelchair race at the MIC if we were there at the same time. We'll see who's faster
Emilio gave me a high-five as I passed him in the halls in my new ride. He also came to my room to chat for a bit later in the day. We didn't get very far until he was called away back to work, but I really appreciated him treating me just like a pal and not like a patient. It made me feel like my empathy was reciprocated and that all this meaning-of-life stuff I was feeling wasn't just in my own head.
I made a note to keep my legs warm when I slept last night, and that worked well for me.
This morning was rainy and I was feeling a bit depressed since it's going to be my final full day at Clinica Diagonal. I did my best to warm my legs up and get myself out of that negative state, but I was only back up to speed after the morning PT.
Hector always has this dreamy look when he looks out at the hilled houses outside my room window. Today I learned why. He warmly told me that today he was signing some housing documents and that he would be moving in with his girlfriend. I'm happy for him! In turn, his happiness cheered me up a bit, so I was grateful for that.
Martha was taking care of me again today. I was surprised since she already had a huge shift the day before. I used Google Translate and showed her the translation on my phone. "Who will switch bandages for me when you're not here?" She smiled and typed back bittersweetly, "It's easy, I'll teach you."
Met Claudio today and he told me the PT plan (at minimum, everyday for 2 weeks and then three times a week for the next 6 weeks, extra sessions if necessary for free). At 1,200 Euro it was quite over-budget for me, but oh well, what can be done?
I'm still not sure about the logistics and the schedule for tomorrow. But I'll find a way I suppose. After a person has done LL there really isn't much else that causes fear...
Quote from: glenn on September 02, 2015, 04:15:12 PMHey Goldenegg, good to hear from you again! Thanks for that clip, I ended up following the Youtube suggestions and watched almost all of the Rocky soundtracks, haha :-)
Yesterday, Dr. Monegal showed me how to use the machine to lengthen the Fitbone rods. There's a small box-like machine (about the size of a box of cigars) that plugs into the wall outlet. From the box, there's another wire that attaches to a dongle. Inside your leg, there are wired contacts that are directly connected to the rods (the contacts are skin-deep and you can feel it with your fingers). To lengthen, you place the dongle on top of your skin, above the contact and press a button on the box. The dongle sends a signal to the contact and instructs it to lengthen a predetermined distance (you confirm that it works by simultaneously listening to your leg with a stethoscope. You can hear a distinct motorized whirling sound as the rod extends).
Yesterday Martha also switched my bandages for me. I was a bit naive; I didn't even know that that had to be done! She pulled my leggings off and replaced the bandages one-by-one as I busily played on my phone. I had a flashback of my childhood as a toddler, my two older sisters would braid my hair while I played with my toys quietly by myself.
Elena (my Airbnb host) also came to visit me yesterday! Her husband Jose and their young son Leo also came. It was good to see them again and meet like old friends even though we were total strangers in different parts of the world just two weeks ago! As they left, Leo gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek. This LL journey of mine hasn't just been a physical journey, it's also allowed me to explore my humanity and I'm truly grateful for all the meaningful connections I've been able to make with people I've met on this adventure.
Remember Elena's wheelchair I mentioned previously? I bought it off her for 100 Euro, so now I have a ride . I promised Musicmaker that we would have wheelchair race at the MIC if we were there at the same time. We'll see who's faster
Emilio gave me a high-five as I passed him in the halls in my new ride. He also came to my room to chat for a bit later in the day. We didn't get very far until he was called away back to work, but I really appreciated him treating me just like a pal and not like a patient. It made me feel like my empathy was reciprocated and that all this meaning-of-life stuff I was feeling wasn't just in my own head.
I made a note to keep my legs warm when I slept last night, and that worked well for me.
This morning was rainy and I was feeling a bit depressed since it's going to be my final full day at Clinica Diagonal. I did my best to warm my legs up and get myself out of that negative state, but I was only back up to speed after the morning PT.
Hector always has this dreamy look when he looks out at the hilled houses outside my room window. Today I learned why. He warmly told me that today he was signing some housing documents and that he would be moving in with his girlfriend. I'm happy for him! In turn, his happiness cheered me up a bit, so I was grateful for that.
Martha was taking care of me again today. I was surprised since she already had a huge shift the day before. I used Google Translate and showed her the translation on my phone. "Who will switch bandages for me when you're not here?" She smiled and typed back bittersweetly, "It's easy, I'll teach you."
Met Claudio today and he told me the PT plan (at minimum, everyday for 2 weeks and then three times a week for the next 6 weeks, extra sessions if necessary for free). At 1,200 Euro it was quite over-budget for me, but oh well, what can be done?
I'm still not sure about the logistics and the schedule for tomorrow. But I'll find a way I suppose. After a person has done LL there really isn't much else that causes fear...
Hi,Glenn!
You have an amazing diary. How amazing is that people in Europe have a different attitude towards each other. Totally different in US. Do you feel pain when you use the machine to start lengthening or during PT?
You're having a great experience lol. Hope it stays the same.
Quote from: concernedmom on September 02, 2015, 06:11:47 PMDo you feel pain when you use the machine to start lengthening or during PT?
Hi!
There is no sensation whatsoever. That's why you have to listen with a stethoscope while you lengthen, the whirring sound is the only way you can discern that it's working.
Hi All,
After being discharged from Clinica Diagonal in the afternoon, the MIC ordered a special taxi for me. One that could accommodate a wheelchair. It was basically a minivan with the seats removed, and had a ramp to wheel the person directly in. The driver was a very nice old man, who got out of the taxi and warmly introduced himself, "Hello, Senor Glenn, how are you?" There was no mistaking me since I was the only guy in a wheelchair at the entrance of the hospital. He promptly helped me with my bags and wheeled me up the ramp into the taxi, strapping my wheelchair into the harness. As we got underway, he looked into the rearview mirror and said, "Sorry, my Ingles not so good. In my taxi I have WIFI. Password is..." He didn't have WIFI. He was turning on the mobile tethering for his own phone so that I could use it. What a nice guy!
The taxi ride was uneventful, but I soaked in the local scenery from the car. Every scene looks like art when you've been behind four walls for a week. In reality it only took us only a short bit of time to arrive. The hotel staff wheeled me up to my room and showed me all the amenities. And pretty soon I was alone in my room.
I slept late again. I didn't take any painkillers and the nagging leg pain kept me up until sunrise. I awoke with the hotel staff entering my room. Claudio had alerted the hotel staff when I missed my PT appointment, and they were afraid something had happened to me.
I love my PT sessions, since Claudio pushes me hard and I feel like I am finally taking an active role in my LL process. After that first PT day, combined with medicine that the hospital discharged me with, I slept like a baby the second night.
Aside from that though, the days are quite similar: After a light breakfast, I do my PT with Claudio. After returning I will cook, eat, clean myself, wash some clothes, lengthen, supplements, medicine,do my PT homework, do my work and studies, pick up around the house, etc, etc. Everything takes longer to do when you're in a wheelchair, and usually these chores will take most the day to complete. And then at night, try to get a good night's sleep!
I don't know what else that I will have to update in the next little bit, since I will be continuing this routine for the next two months. If you guys have any specific questions, please feel free to let me know, thanks!
Hi Glenn, I haven't been online for quite a while and so I am bit late with congratulations. Very glad to hear that everything seems ok with you and that the surgery went well. The boring daily routine starts now...keep up the positive attitude..
Your diary is great, I guess everybody loves it...all the best for the moment!
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