(Sunday) Day 121 Post Op - Day 29 Consolidation/Recovery Phase - DISTRACTION COMPLETED....[7.5 cm Achieved / 3 inches Taller!]
Greetings CLL'er's,
I just wanted to check in and let you know my status right here at the 4 months point, post operation! As mentioned earlier; my updates will likely be down to weekly now since the reporting is much of the same during the day-to-day recovery phase.
Things are well. I continue to get a little better each and every day. I'm walking unassisted 100% of the time. You may find that you still like to have your cane with you as something to lean on in case you find yourself waiting around and no table or wall is available. I'm not even a month after distraction yet (29 days); so your legs do get a bit tired standing and walking on them. Standing, I can say, I could probably do an hour or more; so long that I am able to stretch and move them around. Walking, I get tired after about a quarter of a mile. Need to sit rest for a few moments and then I'm off again. I am getting around just fine however...by driving, walking around at work, home, parks, etc. I am just too slow and stiff at the moment so I'm not testing the social scene at this point outside of going to weekend breakfasts at the local cafe with my family.
My walk is improving... notable my ATP appears to be better gradually. I almost feel like during distraction it was 1 mm a day of height...and now its 1mm day of repairing my soft tissues and posture. It's so subtle, the improvement each day that you really just need to keep working and focus elsewhere. The "millimeter" worth of improvement add up each week or so.
My main challenges are my minor APT, stiff quads and hips. Once these 3 aspects are squared away my first goal of walking comfortably is checked off. I am currently working out upper body 6 days a week. I am stretching and strengthening legs with leg weights and bands, 7 days a week and about 1-2 hours per day. It's a grind, but it will be worth it once this is all over with. In addition, I am still attending my PT clinic 3 days a week. I don't see myself discontinuing physical therapy any time soon. Once I am walking normally and comfortably again, I may reduce the days from 3 days to 1 day or 2 days, per week. I'd like to continue being treated and reach my fullest potential possible.
Other notables... Not sure if the CLL veteran can chime in; but one of the most unique and toughest thing at this point is "getting up" from the chair. After about 30 minutes or more of laying down or sitting, my quads feel tight and I have to wake them up with stretches, etc in order to effectively walk on them. Ja Ja. Does anyone relate to that during recovery? It seems to be getting better...a small bit per day.
With all this being said; I would say that Internal Styrde patients will most likely enjoy a very mobile, not perfect, but quite mobile and taller existence at their 3-4 months point...month 5 - 6 being to smooth out the walk, loosen the tightness, build strength and increase stanima in legs. Might even be sooner for some...remember I went the full 3 inches and I wasn't flexible at all prior to surgery. The new gain makes a huge difference for me and I'm giddy with excitement and anxious to get back out into the world. I'm very happy with the results, so far. I just need to have the legs loosen up a bit.
Thank you again for all your support and I sure do hope that my diary has helped. I'll provide a new update very soon and please feel free to ask any questions.
All the best,
IFS
