It sounds like your experience thus far has been exceptional. I am thoroughly impressed with your dedication and clearly it has paid off. I await your next post with interest.
Best of luck.
Hi Iamprepared
No physical rehabilitation costs?
Can you upload some photos? You look so brave
Quote from: Stadiometer on February 13, 2017, 05:49:37 PMGreat to see a patient experience from Dr. Donghoon Lee. I've always been a strong supporter of his. I'm curious about the use of the PRECICE 2.1 as opposed to the PRECICE 2.2. Please speak with Dr. Donghoon Lee and post in greater detail as to the reason behind this decision. It's very interesting.
Hey Stadiometer, thanks for the great info. I'm also more intrigued about the use of 2.1 since 2.2 seems clearly better. I'll ask Dr.Lee in my next visit.
Quote from: 682 on February 13, 2017, 09:46:37 PMIt sounds like your experience thus far has been exceptional. I am thoroughly impressed with your dedication and clearly it has paid off. I await your next post with interest.
Best of luck.
Hey 682, thanks for the continued support!
Quote from: 1683131665 on February 14, 2017, 01:13:55 PMHi Iamprepared
No physical rehabilitation costs?
Can you upload some photos? You look so brave
Hey 1683131665, PT during hospital stay is free. Currently I pay $100 a session but I do only 2-3 times a week. I'm doing exercise + stretching myself 4 times a day, taking things to a little extreme. Having done this for a few weeks now, I'm convinced such an extreme approach works well. My legs are so flexible and strong that surprise the physical therapist.
[Update] 1cm
I've just achieved 1cm, assuming the distraction happened as expected. I'm also worried about whether the distraction is actually happening smoothly (just like 'programdude'). My concern is that I feel like my bones are healing quickly judging from my muscle strength (as it can promote bone growth), so the worst nightmare would be premature consolidation. My visit to Dr.Lee is scheduled next week, so fingers are crossed.
<Stay>
I've rented an apartment here for about $1200 a month. Almost all apartments here are shoes-free environment and the floor is clean enough for you to lie down. I'm currently doing most of my activities on a 5cm thick mattress (king size) - sleeping, stretching, exercising, eating (on a small table), reading, peeing (yes.. I still use bottles). I have positioned important items around the mattress such as daily clothes, water, supplements, books, lengthening device, etc. I ordered a stick with pinch at the end and I grab items without having to move my legs - when I first used it, I was literally blown away by how useful it was. I also ordered a skateboard and this has been a great tool, moving around without pain on my ass (crawling) to the toilet, kitchen, door. Korea's e-commerce has been fantastic; all the items I order today arrive tomorrow. I also call up and order breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm getting used to this lifestyle just fine!
<Exercise>
Exercise (strength + stretching) has been by far the most important priority since I left the hospital. I lengthen 0.25mm for 4 times a day with 4 hours interval: 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 9pm. To make a good habit, I exercise at the same time as the lengthening: 4 sessions a day of which each session lasts for about 45 minutes. So far, I've never missed a session.
Strength exercise (2 times a day)
- Sit and lift a leg and stay in the air for 10 seconds (10 times per leg)
- Sit and lift a leg quickly (50 times per leg)
- Sit on a chair and do the bicycle moves (100 ups and downs per leg)
Stretching (4 times a day)
- Lie down and knee to the chest (3 times per leg, 10 seconds each)
- Sit and forearms to the toes (3 times per leg, 10 seconds each)
- Lie down and put one leg behind the other and pull the leg (3 times per leg, 10 seconds each)
- Feet to my ass (3 times per leg, 10 seconds each)
I'm currently doing PT 2 times a week, unlike 5 times that was originally planned. The reason is I can do all moves recommended by Dr.Lee by myself. Once I reach 3-4cm, we'll see if I need more professional PT.
<Pain / Sleep>
Like almost everyone in the community, I'm finally experiencing bad sleeps. I generally wake up 2 times (at 2am, 4am). Not good! I always wake up with my knees bent and raised up, and with the urge to pee. Sometime I wake up from a dream of myself doing stretching.. and surprisingly I'm actually doing that stretching move when I open my eyes. How funny! I'm cutting down my water consumption during the evening to see if my sleep will get better. Also I think I've developed some immunity against the pain killer (currently I'm using Oxycontin) so I feel like it wears out quicker than before. I take 2 pills a day and I'm trying to hold the 2nd pill until late at night so that I may sleep well. But the 1st pill lasts until about 5pm and some irritating pain comes and goes (Level 4 out of 10), so I usually take the 2nd one just before or right after dinner. Overall the pain level throughout the day is 1-4.
<Transport>
I've finally learned to use a regular taxi by myself. One issue is that only one out of 15 taxi drivers would stop when they see a person on a wheelchair. So whenever a kind driver stops, I give a really generous tip. It's too bad there is no Uber here..
The day I got out of the hospital, I really struggled to get to the apartment. I couldn't call a wheelchair accessible taxi as you need to apparently "register" as a disabled person first. Also I was very disappointed that Severance hospital was not able to get me a wheelchair accessible taxi -- I couldn't get my head around how this was happening. So I just got on a regular taxi (after many attempts to catch one). I used all my upper body strength to hop on the taxi. It was risky!
<Scar>
I've had the pad over my scars and stitches removed. I'm happy the scars are very small. I hear from the assistant that Dr.Lee is known for making very small incisions during the surgery that leaves small scars.
I've clarified with Dr.Lee on the version of device used on my fumers.
Dr.Lee double checked it with the company and it turns out I'm in fact using Precise 2.3 and NOT Precise 2.1.
Thanks for pointing out about this and sorry for confusion. I'm actually glad I'm using most up-to-date version!
All the best Bro and may u got healed soon and
surely u will be one of the successful stories
Can u plz upload some pictures of ur scars ?
With thanks in advance
Quote from: iamprepared on February 22, 2017, 05:13:43 AMI've clarified with Dr.Lee on the version of device used on my fumers.
Dr.Lee double checked it with the company and it turns out I'm in fact using Precise 2.3 and NOT Precise 2.1.
Thanks for pointing out about this and sorry for confusion. I'm actually glad I'm using most up-to-date version!
There is no such thing as the Precice 2.3 so how can you be using an internal nail that doesn't exist?!
The Precice 2.2 is the most up to date version. I mentioned this in my post and Stadiometer posted that clip straight from Dr. Paley's website.
Quote from: Rod Thick on February 22, 2017, 01:46:49 PMThere is no such thing as the Precice 2.3 so how can you be using an internal nail that doesn't exist?!
The Precice 2.2 is the most up to date version. I mentioned this in my post and Stadiometer posted that clip straight from Dr. Paley's website.
Hey Rod Thick, that's very interesting. Since you were right about v2.1, please let me check again with Dr.Lee in my next visit. As far as I know, Dr.Lee contacted to the new company (which acquired Ellipse Technologies) to learn that the nail his hospital imports was the newest version, v.2.3.
As soon as I speak to him again, I'll make a post about this. Thanks!
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