My Vertical Push with Dr. Debiparshad (Strydes in Femurs)

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Congrats on 43mm and crossing the halfway point- that milestone must feel amazing!

Your journey through the airport and x ray issues reminds me to always expect the unexpected and to take into account how everything challenging becomes amplified when lengthening. Sometimes I seem to think all this is equates to is 1) X amount of $'s, and 2) X amount of time, and boom, we're taller. Diaries like this give us insight into how you have to be agile and positive through the unknown and unexpected. Thanks for keeping it so detailed and informative man, your raw honesty + positive attitude is inspiring, rooting for you!

How is your sleep going now with the recent fluctuations in tightness and discomfort?

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Quote from: Ghostfish on July 14, 2019, 06:32:34 AMHi verticalpush
What a journey! You look amazing! You are almost as tall as 5'11". Wow! 
By the way, why do you prefer or have to stay in Texas?  seems like it is hard and long to travel to Vegas everytime, no to mention the cost of travel.  If you don't have to work, why not stay in Vegas until you finish lengthening so that you can see or talk to Dr. D anytime you need to.  When I was lengthening, I had stayed in hotel nearby Paley Institute.  One day, X-ray was broken, but I was rescheduled next day.  So it was not a big deal.
Regarding lengthening rate, I think you can tell him that you are doing great and don't have nerve pain anymore so you can ask Dr. D to increase the lengthening rate.
You are almost there!  Keep up the good work!

Thank you for the awesome words Ghostfish my friend! You're right, I'm just a few hairs shy of 5'11 right now (I think my official read at Dr. D.'s was 5'10.75) and should be approaching that within a few days. Yup, it was definitely a learning experience that when you lengthen from home you need to allow for uncertainties like a broken x-ray machine. My advice at a minimum to anyone lengthening at home is to at least plan to stay overnight when you fly in for check ups! If I had the second day I would've been able to get the x-rays there (assuming they fixed the machine by then) plus I wouldn't have been as tired. My rental car would've been the same price, so the extra cost would just be the hotel room (which can be as cheap as $35 at some of the casinos). Next time I go to Vegas I'm definitely spending the night.

For me, it definitely makes sense to lengthen from home. I'm far more comfortable here, plus it reduces costs significantly (the costs to travel to Vegas even every 3 weeks still pale in comparison to a month at a hotel). I also think that being able to see my friends helps tremendously with my mental health. For others, especially those coming from out of country, it makes more sense to stay closer to the CLL surgeon. You make a good point that if there are any complications it definitely would be tricky.

I'll definitely let him know thing have improved with the nerve pain, and hopefully I can get back to 3x/day by next week.

Quote from: SimonFuller on July 14, 2019, 12:55:21 PMGreat to hear you are doing so well. I forgot you started at a good height already! - what is your exact measurement now?

Can you describe your current views on whether this was the right decision? Has this experience so far changed your perception of height at all?

Hi SimonFuller! Thank you! I started a little over 5'9. I'm at 5'10.75 now. The 6' mark is my goal.

I definitely think this was the right decision. Even in moments of pain I was confident that I did the right thing. It hasn't compromised my life as much as I expected it to. Although I'm not globe-trotting or spending nights out, I'm still able to see people, date, etc. Before I always saw my height as average, but now when I look in the mirror I notice a major difference. Although I have a little ways to go, when I talk to my neighbors in the hallway that saw me before surgery I already feel a bit more confidence.

My height dysmorphia issues run deep and have been there for many, many years. Even on days when I was in pain, I knew that I was moving in the direction of a permanent change that will allow me to toss out my lifts and truly be myself.

Quote from: TheAlchemist on July 14, 2019, 03:23:53 PMCongrats on 43mm and crossing the halfway point- that milestone must feel amazing!

Your journey through the airport and x ray issues reminds me to always expect the unexpected and to take into account how everything challenging becomes amplified when lengthening. Sometimes I seem to think all this is equates to is 1) X amount of $'s, and 2) X amount of time, and boom, we're taller. Diaries like this give us insight into how you have to be agile and positive through the unknown and unexpected. Thanks for keeping it so detailed and informative man, your raw honesty + positive attitude is inspiring, rooting for you!

How is your sleep going now with the recent fluctuations in tightness and discomfort?

I really appreciate it, TheAlchemist! I fully agree, it has been a major learning experience for me. You're spot on. This isn't something you can throw money at and make it any easier. CLL is an intense physical battle and you get out directly what you put in. The harder you push yourself, the better the recovery will go.

Sleep is slowly improving given the reduction in pain. I still wake up 2-3 times a night and I still can't comfortably sleep on my side longer than 30 minutes or so. I try my best not to nap during the day. The less discomfort/tightness you feel, the better your sleep will be.

All in all, everything is improving!

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Quote from: Ghostfish on July 14, 2019, 06:32:34 AMHi verticalpush
What a journey! You look amazing! You are almost as tall as 5'11". Wow! 
By the way, why do you prefer or have to stay in Texas?  seems like it is hard and long to travel to Vegas everytime, no to mention the cost of travel.  If you don't have to work, why not stay in Vegas until you finish lengthening so that you can see or talk to Dr. D anytime you need to.  When I was lengthening, I had stayed in hotel nearby Paley Institute.  One day, X-ray was broken, but I was rescheduled next day.  So it was not a big deal.
Regarding lengthening rate, I think you can tell him that you are doing great and don't have nerve pain anymore so you can ask Dr. D to increase the lengthening rate.
You are almost there!  Keep up the good work!

Thank you for the awesome words Ghostfish my friend! You're right, I'm just a few hairs shy of 5'11 right now (I think my official read at Dr. D.'s was 5'10.75) and should be approaching that within a few days. Yup, it was definitely a learning experience that when you lengthen from home you need to allow for uncertainties like a broken x-ray machine. My advice at a minimum to anyone lengthening at home is to at least plan to stay overnight when you fly in for check ups! If I had the second day I would've been able to get the x-rays there (assuming they fixed the machine by then) plus I wouldn't have been as tired. My rental car would've been the same price, so the extra cost would just be the hotel room (which can be as cheap as $35 at some of the casinos). Next time I go to Vegas I'm definitely spending the night.

For me, it definitely makes sense to lengthen from home. I'm far more comfortable here, plus it reduces costs significantly (the costs to travel to Vegas even every 3 weeks still pale in comparison to a month at a hotel). I also think that being able to see my friends helps tremendously with my mental health. For others, especially those coming from out of country, it makes more sense to stay closer to the CLL surgeon. You make a good point that if there are any complications it definitely would be tricky.

I'll definitely let him know thing have improved with the nerve pain, and hopefully I can get back to 3x/day by next week.

Quote from: SimonFuller on July 14, 2019, 12:55:21 PMGreat to hear you are doing so well. I forgot you started at a good height already! - what is your exact measurement now?

Can you describe your current views on whether this was the right decision? Has this experience so far changed your perception of height at all?

Hi SimonFuller! Thank you! I started a little over 5'9. I'm at 5'10.75 now. The 6' mark is my goal.

I definitely think this was the right decision. Even in moments of pain I was confident that I did the right thing. It hasn't compromised my life as much as I expected it to. Although I'm not globe-trotting or spending nights out, I'm still able to see people, date, etc. Before I always saw my height as average, but now when I look in the mirror I notice a major difference. Although I have a little ways to go, when I talk to my neighbors in the hallway that saw me before surgery I already feel a bit more confidence.

My height dysmorphia issues run deep and have been there for many, many years. Even on days when I was in pain, I knew that I was moving in the direction of a permanent change that will allow me to toss out my lifts and truly be myself.

Quote from: TheAlchemist on July 14, 2019, 03:23:53 PMCongrats on 43mm and crossing the halfway point- that milestone must feel amazing!

Your journey through the airport and x ray issues reminds me to always expect the unexpected and to take into account how everything challenging becomes amplified when lengthening. Sometimes I seem to think all this is equates to is 1) X amount of $'s, and 2) X amount of time, and boom, we're taller. Diaries like this give us insight into how you have to be agile and positive through the unknown and unexpected. Thanks for keeping it so detailed and informative man, your raw honesty + positive attitude is inspiring, rooting for you!

How is your sleep going now with the recent fluctuations in tightness and discomfort?

I really appreciate it, TheAlchemist! I fully agree, it has been a major learning experience for me. You're spot on. This isn't something you can throw money at and make it any easier. CLL is an intense physical battle and you get out directly what you put in. The harder you push yourself, the better the recovery will go.

Sleep is slowly improving given the reduction in pain. I still wake up 2-3 times a night and I still can't comfortably sleep on my side longer than 30 minutes or so. I try my best not to nap during the day. The less discomfort/tightness you feel, the better your sleep will be.

All in all, everything is improving!

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Bro that is so good to hear - congratulations.

It's great how you say it hasn't impacted your life - my feeling is that everyday it literally gets easier and easier.

Are you into sports at all? When do you think you'll get back into that based on your current progress?

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Bro that is so good to hear - congratulations.

It's great how you say it hasn't impacted your life - my feeling is that everyday it literally gets easier and easier.

Are you into sports at all? When do you think you'll get back into that based on your current progress?

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Hi VerticalPush!

Great to read about your progress, looks like things are coming along fine which is awesome. I know you're still working on lengthening and it's probably too early to ask this, but I figured I should try since you posted a video a short while back of yourself walking.

So, with the added length, how does it feel when walking? I know it's awkward now and probably also painful, but in terms of balance and such - does it feel like you're walking on stilts? How does the added height make you feel when moving about, as opposed to before? One of my concerns (in addition to of course getting back to 100% normal "looking" gait) is that I should also "feel" completely normal, and not like I'm on permanent stilts or something. Can you speak to that, perhaps? Much appreciated!

I hope I worded the above adequately well to convey my concern!

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Quote from: SimonFuller on July 15, 2019, 07:27:27 AMBro that is so good to hear - congratulations.

It's great how you say it hasn't impacted your life - my feeling is that everyday it literally gets easier and easier.

Are you into sports at all? When do you think you'll get back into that based on your current progress?

SimonFuller my man, thank you. YES - everyday truly does get easier and easier. Let me say, dropping down to 2 sessions/day was an absolute game change. I have ZERO nerve pain anymore and I'm regaining sensitivity in my shins. For certain you need to push yourself, but listen to the doctor! In the long run, spending an extra couple of weeks lengthening makes very little difference.

Great question about sports. You know, I always used my height as a crutch to shy away from sports. I was interested in basketball but 5'9 doesn't cut it. I did long distance running back in high school but I developed some nerve problems (unrelated to the recent batch) that went away as soon as I stopped running competitively. So, I was extremely active in the gym with mostly a mostly upper-body routine and would hike a moderate trail occasionally. Really, the only thing I wouldn't be permitted to do right now would be hiking. There really isn't a good excuse for me not going to the gym to work upper body aside from being worn out on PT days, but I will try slowly easing my way back to the gym next week.

If someone was more active in sports I'd advise them to carefully weigh the fact that anything involving lower body is pretty much out for a year or so. 

Quote from: JsElysianEagle on July 15, 2019, 04:21:32 PMHi VerticalPush!

Great to read about your progress, looks like things are coming along fine which is awesome. I know you're still working on lengthening and it's probably too early to ask this, but I figured I should try since you posted a video a short while back of yourself walking.

So, with the added length, how does it feel when walking? I know it's awkward now and probably also painful, but in terms of balance and such - does it feel like you're walking on stilts? How does the added height make you feel when moving about, as opposed to before? One of my concerns (in addition to of course getting back to 100% normal "looking" gait) is that I should also "feel" completely normal, and not like I'm on permanent stilts or something. Can you speak to that, perhaps? Much appreciated!

I hope I worded the above adequately well to convey my concern!

Hey JsElysianEagle -- you know, that's a very good question and one that's very difficult to describe. The added height alone doesn't make walking any more awkward -- it's the other stuff. I wore 2.5" lifts in my shoes pre-surgery, so I've already been used to walking in the 5'11" range. I don't at all feel like I'm walking on stilts - the section of missing bone doesn't feel any different from the rest of my body. Also, you lengthen relatively slowly - it's not like you just wake up one day and you're 3 inches taller. What's different is that your legs don't bend/rotate the same. One of the things my physical therapist pointed out is that normally when you walk your leg extends behind you. That doesn't happen when you recover from a leg injury / CLL, so your glutes aren't working nearly as hard.

The short of it is that it's not so much painful as it is awkward. Walking isn't comfortable or natural like it was pre-surgery, but it gets closer to that as time goes on. I've found walking to be far easier since reducing lengthening to twice per day.

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Twice a day = how many millimeters?

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Quote from: cena on July 16, 2019, 04:56:06 AMTwice a day = how many millimeters?

Hi cena, it's .33mm per session so I'm now lengthening .66mm / day.

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Quote from: verticalpush on July 16, 2019, 06:11:58 AMHi cena, it's .33mm per session so I'm now lengthening .66mm / day.

Great Job, VP! You're on your way, man!

Yes, if it wasn't for rate limiting myself; I would have never made it to 3 inches.   It took me an extra 2, 2.5 weeks to reach 3 inches, but wow what a difference.  The tightness and numbness was rough; but rate limiting to 2 a day and even skipping a day here and there; really helped me get through this process.