(Friday) Day 218 Post Op - Day 125 Consolidation/Recovery Phase - DISTRACTION COMPLETED...[7.5 cm Achieved / 3 inches Taller!]
Greetings Fellow CLLers,
What a ride this has been for me. I am now at the 7 month post-operation point and I must say that I'm breath taken by the experiences I have undergone through all this time. For those of you who have followed me throughout my journey; I'm sure you feel to some extent that you have taken this trip along side of me. I can recall updating my diary each and every day throughout the oh so challenging and at time, scary, distraction phase. We then toured together through the early stages of consolidation and ultimately as necessity functions such as walking, squatting, twisting, etc began to return....you and I were able to taper off this voyage...no longer worried, now just coasting along excited at what the future now holds.
I encourage each prospective CLL'er and current CLL'er to review my diary as I documented the good and the bad of this very special event. An elective surgery to be taller, Yes AND and also....An election of happiness, an election of comfort and an election to be free. Everything in life is perspective and I knew what I wanted. My decision and my drive to undergo and be successful at the CLL procedure was 100% a decision of mine. I do this for me. My entire life, I succeeded at just about anything I put my heart and mind to. Height never stopped me from pursuing or succeeding in any particular area where I truly gave it my all...but I must say when looking back at my life the only thing that I didn't do very well was "grow taller". I never want or wanted to be a tall man; because that isn't who I am. I'm a handsome and successful man who carried a height attribute that society has deemed as "Short". I'm okay with that because I'm a believer that Height doesn't make the Man...Man makes the Height. My goal through all of this was to be successful and for my body to be responsible for growing again. Growing taller than I was. The 3 inches I have gained allows me to close this chapter. I've conquered "growing"...because I did it and my body did it on its own...with a little help from a great Doctor, Physical Therapists, the Stryde Nail, My Family, and you guys. That's right....you guys and your kind words, support and watchful eyes on my journal helped me get through this more than you know. I consider you my friends and I will be remaining on the forum for the long run to help each of you in anyway I can to get through your height dysphoria, your CLL procedure; and to even just provide some anecdotal words that perhaps can help you along the greater journey of this life.
I want to add that one of the great things, in my opinion, about my particular experience is that my physical condition prior to CLL was not exceptional in anyway really. I am a man, in his late 30's now. I had very tight hips, and I rarely ever worked out my legs since the days of High School Sports. I worked out my upper body quite a bit; but honestly really neglected to push my legs. Most of my time was spent sitting down in chairs working on computers. My point being that if anything, my CLL journal likely reflects someone who could very well have started several paces behind you as far as being ideal or "ready" for this journey. That's a good thing! If I can do it; I feel that most people can do this. I want to mention also...that I knew this. I knew I was in my late 30's; had extremely tight hips, and my leg strength was nothing to brag about...and with this knowledge I pushed my self even harder during the process. I stretched and strengthened by legs 3 times a day, every day for nearly 5 months before I settled down a bit; having needing to reenter normal life. You all can do this; I know you can do it.
Lastly, in summary... I am grateful to have had a Doctor, in Dr. M that has the experience and knowledge to know, with confidence, what my body could handle. With tight hips; he still green lighted me for the surgery...he knew I could still do it. When I was feeling tight at 2 inches...he encouraged me to keep going.... tight at 2.5 inches... keep going; your flexibility is good enough and you can achieve 3...."Okay, Doctor...if you say I'm good; I'll go forward." He was right. I had zero complications; my surgery scars are light and a non-issue, and the experience of Dr. M allowed me to push to 3 inches which now make such a positive difference in my life. My pain levels were extremely tolerable throughout and the responsiveness of Dr. M to my emails and phone inquiries were nearly instant. I know he's proud of his successful patients and frankly, I'm proud of him too.
Below I have posted a 7 month post-op video along with X-Rays. I'm walking 100% of the time and my gait and other abilities of my legs is coming along very nicely and I do not feel any pain or discomfort . I can walk a 2+ miles without having to stop and rest and I am getting better each and every day. I still have a ways to go and I understand that in the coming months I'll be able to return to being very close if not all the way back to 100%. The Stryde nail is truly a game changer and I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is physically and mentally fit to proceed.
Again, thank you for EVERYTHING and I'm still here with you guys. I'll close out on this quote that I live by each and every day...
"Make the VERY BEST of what you have; Make what you have the VERY BEST"
All the Best,
IFS
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Me walking at 7 months and doing other silly movements:
My X-Rays which show that my bones are fully fused, and healing very well.....I'm well on my way to full and healthy consolidation in the coming months.
Left Leg
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Right Leg
