17th of March 2021 - 7 days post-surgery
So today was quite an exciting day. It was the first day of lengthening. I was quite nervous as the clicking motion was demonstrated to me and was dreading intense pain. The first click was painful as I was not doing the motion correctly and couldn't relax mentally, but after I got the hang of the technique it was very smooth. The key is to relax and let your hand guide the motion rather than your leg. After the first few clicks there was zero pain and I completed my 6 clicks per leg. Tomorrow I will complete 10, then 16 the following day and the usual 20 after that. Each click is worth 0.052mm so 20 clicks equals 1.04mm and can be reduced when necessary. I don't feel any after effects from the clicking, although that may change when I have to do more.
So as of right now - including the 5mm gap per side Dr. Betz separated in the initial surgery, I am just over 0.5cm taller 
RB - Femurs with Dr. Betz - March 2021
23rd of March 2021 - 13 days post-surgery (1.08cm taller)
Hey guys,
I left hospital on the 20th of March and have been at the guesthouse since then. It's much better here than in the hospital and I am starting to eat more and establish more of a daily routine. Pain levels are still manageable, but it is very hard to sleep and find a comfortable position. I find that taking a muscle relaxer before bed actually works better than tramadol for the pain and also helps knock me out. I am trying to walk with the crutches as much as I can during the day and my walk is becoming a lot more natural, however the post surgery pains are still there so I am hopeful they will be gone by next week.
I am currently lengthening at 1.04mm per day and have just reached 1.08cm! I feel good with sleep being my main issue at the moment. If any vets have any tips for sleep that would be great. And as always, feel free to ask any questions!
Nice to see your updates, RB.
Time goes by so fast, you already are 1.08cm taller!!!
Btw, Is it okay to lengthen at 1.04mm per day? What did Dr. Betz say?
I had read that nerves tolerate around 1 mm of lengthening per day. So, to be on the safer side, many doctors recommend staying around the lengthening rate of 0.75mm per day.
Hi RB, in what way is it hard to sleep? Does it help if you get up at some point in the night and do stretches, and then go back to bed?
Also, how is your walking/standing? Care to share a video or something with you walking or just standing? Totally up to you.
Quote from: chasing_higher_dream on March 23, 2021, 09:20:11 PMNice to see your updates, RB.
Time goes by so fast, you already are 1.08cm taller!!!
Btw, Is it okay to lengthen at 1.04mm per day? What did Dr. Betz say?
I had read that nerves tolerate around 1 mm of lengthening per day. So, to be on the safer side, many doctors recommend staying around the lengthening rate of 0.75mm per day.
Dr Betz said it is ok to do 20 clicks especially in the beginning as it is only a fraction over 1mm but I may do 19 clicks some days which is slightly under 1mm to see if there is any difference in pain.
It is hard to sleep due to the atrophied glute muscles so even if I sleep on my back it hurts to lay down and other positions are too painful. The pain is also worse at night and I end up taking painkillers throughout the night and eventually I get some sleep. Waking up and stretching helps a little bit but the main pain is from the glutes, hopefully things improve soon as during the day things are going well.
My walking and standing is pretty good but my legs get fatigued quite quickly. I stand a lot each day with no assistance. I will think about making a video, but I’m not sure yet as I want to keep things private but if not I can send you a video.
Quote from: RB on March 24, 2021, 09:44:33 AMDr Betz said it is ok to do 20 clicks especially in the beginning as it is only a fraction over 1mm but I may do 19 clicks some days which is slightly under 1mm to see if there is any difference in pain.
It is hard to sleep due to the atrophied glute muscles so even if I sleep on my back it hurts to lay down and other positions are too painful. The pain is also worse at night and I end up taking painkillers throughout the night and eventually I get some sleep. Waking up and stretching helps a little bit but the main pain is from the glutes, hopefully things improve soon as during the day things are going well.
My walking and standing is pretty good but my legs get fatigued quite quickly. I stand a lot each day with no assistance. I will think about making a video, but I’m not sure yet as I want to keep things private but if not I can send you a video.
Ahh, the glute pain. It was a real bother for me. Try putting a sort of cushion underneath the bum area on the side maybe like a folded t shirt. It also helps to have that side of the leg slightly elevated. Rest assured once you stop the lengthening those pain slowly go away.
Quote from: Jamesy998 on March 24, 2021, 03:18:47 PMAhh, the glute pain. It was a real bother for me. Try putting a sort of cushion underneath the bum area on the side maybe like a folded t shirt. It also helps to have that side of the leg slightly elevated. Rest assured once you stop the lengthening those pain slowly go away.
Thanks mate.
I put a thick cushion near the tailbone while I am sitting now and it seems to lessen the discomfort. I will try the folded t-shirt during sleep to see if it makes a difference.
Hi RB,
any updates?
I also wanted to ask about conditions in the hospital when you were there: Do you have any privacy? Is it quiet at night? Can you like wash your teeth in the morning? Can you do a shower (assuming you can, maybe not)?
Quote from: pownzorgeek on March 29, 2021, 06:53:48 AMHi RB,
any updates?
I also wanted to ask about conditions in the hospital when you were there: Do you have any privacy? Is it quiet at night? Can you like wash your teeth in the morning? Can you do a shower (assuming you can, maybe not)?
Hey pownzorgeek,
I plan to provide an update every cm lengthened but happy to answer your questions. The hospital was ok, not a state of the art facility but a standard hospital. I personally had a roomate who was also doing CLL but other patients had their own room. Yes it is quiet at night and you have a bathroom in the room where you can brush your teeth and have a shower. It took me about 4 days until I could have a shower standing up without using the chair in the shower.
You’re same start height to me , good luck
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