Attendants can be a blessing or a total pain in the ass. I was so thankful to have attendants at the beginning, but after I got an attendant that was constantly doing irritating things I just wanted to get out of the hospital already. It doesn't help either that you tend to get more irritable when you're practically crippled.
Hey PD,
Stay strong, this seems to be quite annoying but this is temporary trouble.
Compared to being a mighty 5'11 in the end.. well!
You're gonna make it 
I hope my journal isn't giving the wrong impression- yes I had bad aides and yes the hospital is absolute hell, but overall my experience is great and very much on the right path- I am learning new lessons every day, becoming much stronger, surprising my PT's(todays actually went rapid fire through everything, attempting to find something I didn't excel at), meeting new people(there was an LL'er BBQ party by the pool yesterday where I met most of the crew here who are at all different phases of the process, and most who have very loving and supporting families with them). In other words it has been a great and growing experience, and I'm not even out of the phase where pain is gone.
If my X-rays on monday are good I will be on top of the world. Also can't wait to get into the pool!
I am glad everything is going well for you. Keeping a positive outlook will benefit your overall healing.
I am in a pretty positive place now, but if X rays are good tomorrow, positive will be an understatement!
Nights are somewhat hard for me(my Hong Kong LL'er friend has reported the same), as discomfort has me waking up every hour or two. Mornings are also somewhat tough because of this, being weak bodied and ill rested making it hard to find the motivation to get up and go downstairs. This is really all mental though, because although doing the morning click, emptying the glamorous urinal, downing the million supplements/medications, washing face and other hygienic endeavours is a chore, getting down to the food, and stretching your legs out while you enjoy it and your kindle etc. really does get you in the right mindset.
It is funny how differently I am viewed in a wheelchair. Usually people are a little intimidated because of my build/facial features but not everyone is going out of their way to introduce themselves, whether it be to socialize or offer help. One funny thing is how strange it is to explain to people the reason you're in a wheelchair. Some assume you are crippled or got in an accident/are way overly sympathetic, so usually I just say its temporary if theres a moment to, or try and explain the procedure, usually to much confusion. This gets tedious though so I've been making up random stories and rolling with them for fun.
Had a girl over, who obviously knew about my situation that I'd been talking to, and we had some fun, and she wanted to basically stay around/help me out and drive me when needed. But because of A. me feeling really uncomfortable about a good looking girl dumping out my pee B. Hadn't even been feeling mobile at the time(this was a few days ago) so the notion of just lying around seemed unappealing and C. The painkillers messing with me/me generally being uncomfortable and not myself all led to me telling her maybe in a week or two.
Lastly an observation I've had is that the average cosmetic LL'er is significantly more attractive and (Seemingly) happy than what I'd imagined based off these forums(no offense guys!).
Upped my pain meds but my right knee and hip are really in bad shape tonight. Making that whole sleeping thing hard.
Quote from: programdude on August 03, 2014, 10:31:46 PMLastly an observation I've had is that the average cosmetic LL'er is significantly more attractive and (Seemingly) happy than what I'd imagined based off these forums(no offense guys!).
This has kind of been my experience too (I've met one guy off of these forums, and know what a few others look like). At just under 5'6", I was blessed with great facial aesthetics and so have still done pretty ok with women. But yet, I've always still felt insecure about my height. That will be changing very, very soon!!! (2 weeks!).
I think a lot of LL guys work really hard to compensate (the gym and general grooming, other things you can fix like teeth, etc.). I know I've been like that. But then we still feel we need the height to not have that overshadow everything.
Glad you seem like you're doing better. You're almost at the 2 week mark...I'm sure things will significantly turn around for you soon bro.
Disclaimer- superficial post ahead:
Its more than just people who compensate though, these are happy and specifically in the cases of the females, genetically gifted. Of the people at my hotel theres two females doing CLL- One who is drop dead gorgeous and has a strong personality, always laughing, probably in her 30's and has a whole family here with her. Another is a very young girl(family is clearly very well off) who is probably the shyest of the people here but still seems very happy and is, again, very very good looking. One guy who came to only do an inch(which I think is crazy at this price tag and the hospital horror alone but hey) also looks good and is a happy as can be with the results. One guy is here with a great family and I believe his gf, probably the closest to a typical ll'er I'd envisioned in terms of how he looks but by no means ugly, and is a really cool guy with a great family.
Heck my Hong Kong friend looks absolutely amazing for being 50(35 tops), is married, has kids, isn't even short for an asian country(5 7), and is an extremely happy and friendly guy despite also being in the first 3 weeks post op.
Anyways, off for x rays!!!
So really good news and some bad.
On the good side I'M TALLER! THE NAILS ARE WORKING!
The bad news is I am distracting slower on the left side so they did 2 mm in one sitting(which HURTS and still does) before taking more x rays which confirmed that every things good to go. Sounds like the muscle on my leg makes it harder for me than others. The thing is I think I'm to blame for this as it sounded/felt like the left side was lengthening when I was doing it alone and it was actually the right leg I was concerned with so I think I was pressing down less hard subconsciously(it worked right around half the days I did it).
Overall right now I am very very happy but in terrible, terrible pain. Its funny since last night and this morning, it was my right knee and side killing and keeping me up but my left legs current pain level literally makes the rest of my body feel totally painless and normal. What a world of difference from doing .25 mm at a time.
In other words, if you've got muscled legs push down HARD or regret it.
Sorry to hear about your pain. It is a price to pay, in order to get taller.
Do you know why your left side was lengthening slower. Is it because of your muscles not letting the nail to lengthen? Or was it problems with the lengthening device?
What do you mean by " if you have muscles, push down hard or regret it". Do you mean, no weightlifting (legs) before the surgery?
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