Quote from: SpeedDialer on November 10, 2020, 01:52:14 AMThanks for making this diary. I've never been to Europe before. I'm American.
1. Are there fees associated with currency exchange/going abroad? How did you minimize things?
2. What were some expenses you didn't anticipate?
3. What's your advice on finding a good place? I heard Meska isn't very good
1. Yes, however I used a website called xe.com for all transfers. This saved me a ton of money because their exchange rates are very competitive and they do not charge any wire transfer fees outgoing to any country that you would normally pay with a local bank.
2. I expected all expenses. I can't think of any that I did not expect. Some you may want to think about is the home care assistant/nurse for the days shortly after the hospital. This isn't so much either way.
3. I searched on AirBNB for a place. I have to say that I wasn't aware that there were certain places to avoid. I lucked out on a great place that is modern and very quiet. Any place near the PT centre should be alright. You will have to send your choices to the Giotikas's Assistant and she can recommend places as well.
Dr. Giotikas Femurs Stryde - Pain
It's been a couple more days, have you started lengthening yet? How's the overall pain while using the ERC?
I started lengthening a while back. I'm currently at 2.5 cm (25 mm). I rarely feel anything while using the ERC. At rare moments I feel some discomfort that is annoying and lasts at least an hour. I'm very much still in the early stages so haven't experienced much tightness or and issues during PT yet.
Currently at 3.5cm (35mm). The PT is great and constantly pushing me more and more. I feel significant improvements every week. Legs are getting tighter and I suspect they will be even worse after 4-5 cm.
I can walk up stairs unassisted (not holding on to anything)
I can now do a squat unassisted and come back up in 3 sets of 10 reps (Not 90 degrees a bit higher)
I can walk without crutches somewhat well with a slight limp caused by the left leg. My left leg is lagging in terms of strength compared to the right.
Special thanks to Maria the head nurse for helping me out and everyone at PT including the patients who are always a pleasure to speak to and motivation in general. Asian from this forum also is a pioneer who always has great advice and his infamous line, “Don’t limit yourself” 
.
Will try to post more updates. Let me know if anyone has any questions.
Quote from: AppleFanBoy on December 02, 2020, 12:05:47 AMCurrently at 3.5cm (35mm). The PT is great and constantly pushing me more and more. I feel significant improvements every week. Legs are getting tighter and I suspect they will be even worse after 4-5 cm.
I can walk up stairs unassisted (not holding on to anything)
I can now do a squat unassisted and come back up in 3 sets of 10 reps (Not 90 degrees a bit higher)
I can walk without crutches somewhat well with a slight limp caused by the left leg. My left leg is lagging in terms of strength compared to the right.
Special thanks to Maria the head nurse for helping me out and everyone at PT including the patients who are always a pleasure to speak to and motivation in general. Asian from this forum also is a pioneer who always has great advice and his infamous line, “Don’t limit yourself” .
Will try to post more updates. Let me know if anyone has any questions.
My left leg is also weaker than my right leg! The squats seem pretty impressive since I have very limited ability there. My unaided walk is getting better as well. Do you think that increased tightness in the upcoming month or two will make your mobility worse? Or does it not matter as long as you maintain the minimum flexibility required to walk? How has your painkiller usage been in the last week or two?
Wow looks like the stryde is indeed a gamechanger-enabling you to walk on your own after such a short period of time is awesome
Quote from: BelowTheMean on December 02, 2020, 01:28:13 AMMy left leg is also weaker than my right leg! The squats seem pretty impressive since I have very limited ability there. My unaided walk is getting better as well. Do you think that increased tightness in the upcoming month or two will make your mobility worse? Or does it not matter as long as you maintain the minimum flexibility required to walk? How has your painkiller usage been in the last week or two?
I would advise against trying to do squats so early on. I was told that only after the first month to attempt it and I had tried earlier but it caused a lot of pain. You are still healing from the surgery so walking and stretches is enough for now. Along with simple exercises that your PT gives you.
From what the other patients are experiencing, the increased tightness will make mobility and strength worse unfortunately. I don't think it matters much as long as you can walk.
Painkiller usage has decreased after passing the first month. I don't try to limit my self with the painkillers however and I will take them as I feel necessary.
Quote from: missyoulikecrazy on December 02, 2020, 07:26:14 AMWow looks like the stryde is indeed a gamechanger-enabling you to walk on your own after such a short period of time is awesome
Yea! Stryde is a game changer. Being full weight bearing for most is a huge improvement from the last nail. It allows your muscles to recover significantly faster.
Quote from: AppleFanBoy on December 02, 2020, 10:26:35 AMI would advise against trying to do squats so early on. I was told that only after the first month to attempt it and I had tried earlier but it caused a lot of pain. You are still healing from the surgery so walking and stretches is enough for now. Along with simple exercises that your PT gives you.
From what the other patients are experiencing, the increased tightness will make mobility and strength worse unfortunately. I don't think it matters much as long as you can walk.
Painkiller usage has decreased after passing the first month. I don't try to limit my self with the painkillers however and I will take them as I feel necessary.
Thanks for the reply! I really hope I can limit my painkiller usage soon (or rather I really hope I'm in less pain soon so I can use less painkillers.) I tried getting up without support from a sitting position on a low bench during PT and failed miserably. That's the closest I've come to trying to squat. I can stand up with no support from sitting position on a higher bench with no problem though. Overall, it's good to hear that you're in a better position now than when you were at my current position. This helps me look forward optimistically.
Hey AppleFanBoy, how's everything going now?
Thanks!!!!!!!
1.
This is xe? https://accounts.xe.com/signup?client_id=7v3mjop0iq74d7bdpgvn95r86d&response_type=code&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Ftransfer.xe.com%2Fsignup%2Fpersonal%2Fstep1&state=https%3A%2F%2Ftransfer.xe.com%3A9443%2Fsignup%2Fpersonal%2Fstep1
So its like a bank that charges you less for paying euros even if you have USD?
2. What are the worst things about xe.com in your opinion?
3. What are your thoughts on the most quiet but cost effective/safe neighborhoods to live in and what are your thoughts on AirBnB vs other options for finding a place?
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