FA+
Shop
Health Update - Closing Chapter, YAY!
5 years ago
Okay, so it's been a while since I've posted an update on my situation. I finally "finished" physical therapy, meaning that I'm done going to the clinic and am responsible for doing my exercises at home from now on. Yay! I also had my follow up with Pain Management. Oh Yeah, I never did tell you guys how that went...
Well, back in the first week of September the Pain Management Doctor decided to give me an ESI (Epidural Steroid Injection) to help with my nerve pain and weakness in my legs. Unfortunately, there was a complication during the procedure (Me, being as flexible as a cat) so the Doc was having issues getting the needle in the correct position, and kept stabbing me in the vertebrae with the needle instead of injecting it into the nerve root. Needless to say, it hurt, a lot. I literally almost threw up, I don't know how to describe it to the men in the audience, but based on my description to my Mom it felt damn near close to what labor pains are supposed to feel like. It was overall a less than enjoyable experience. However, it ended up being a success, it the weeks following the procedure I no longer felt any pain down my legs, and only felt weakness when I overdid it during my recovery.
That's as about as good as it gets though. Today during my follow up the Pain Management Doctor was discussing with me what my future holds for me. The remnants of the pain I feel is permanent, and I can only keep it at tolerable levels by continuing my physical therapy at home, a minimum of 3 days a week, taking my medication, continuing to lose weight, etc. Pretty much I have to have an almost complete lifestyle change, no more WoW Harcore Raids for me! (I'm literally supposed to get up and take breaks every 30min, which is annoying when I'm "in the Zone" while drawing and whatnot.) The loss of sensation in my right leg is permanent. (It's not completely numb like before, but feels like I'm wearing an extra thick sock on one leg, which can get distracting at times, that's not an entirely accurate description, but I don't know how else to describe it.) I also have permanent arthritis in the injury site, which I can only look forward to getting worse over time. (I can slow it down by losing weight and getting active, yay....)
For treatment at home I have to continue physical therapy, take nerve pain medication, and anti-inflammatories, etc. This is my new normal, and I hate it. I can't even be too active either, because when I get too busy with chores and errands it makes the pain worse, so I have to pace myself and find a decent balance. Lots of learning, blah. The doctor did say if the pain gets worse again I can have nerve blocks as needed, which he said are less complicated than the ESI.
All in all, I do feel resolved, and content with my situation, but I still find it bothersome and irritating all the same. I'm just hoping for a fair settlement so I can buy things to make my life a little bit more comfortable and enjoyable while I'm still in this adjustment period. On the flip side, I'm also worried I might need to get a lawyer if they give me a low ball offer. =...= I hate adulting.
On a lighter note. I think I found out why I've had a sharp decline in art over the past couple of years, and why I'm so fatigued and whatnot. I was also diagnosed with Mild Sleep Apnea today (Technically Hypopnea), and am going to get a CPAP machine soon. Hopefully, I'll start feeling well before winter, and can finally get back to being a more active artist! (My husband laughs because we thinks my boobs have been literally trying to kill me since I have a thin neck, and my O2 levels only sharply drop when I'm on my back, lol)
Thank you to everyone who still supported me through all this crap. It means a lot to me that there is a group of dorks still waiting for me to return!
Well, back in the first week of September the Pain Management Doctor decided to give me an ESI (Epidural Steroid Injection) to help with my nerve pain and weakness in my legs. Unfortunately, there was a complication during the procedure (Me, being as flexible as a cat) so the Doc was having issues getting the needle in the correct position, and kept stabbing me in the vertebrae with the needle instead of injecting it into the nerve root. Needless to say, it hurt, a lot. I literally almost threw up, I don't know how to describe it to the men in the audience, but based on my description to my Mom it felt damn near close to what labor pains are supposed to feel like. It was overall a less than enjoyable experience. However, it ended up being a success, it the weeks following the procedure I no longer felt any pain down my legs, and only felt weakness when I overdid it during my recovery.
That's as about as good as it gets though. Today during my follow up the Pain Management Doctor was discussing with me what my future holds for me. The remnants of the pain I feel is permanent, and I can only keep it at tolerable levels by continuing my physical therapy at home, a minimum of 3 days a week, taking my medication, continuing to lose weight, etc. Pretty much I have to have an almost complete lifestyle change, no more WoW Harcore Raids for me! (I'm literally supposed to get up and take breaks every 30min, which is annoying when I'm "in the Zone" while drawing and whatnot.) The loss of sensation in my right leg is permanent. (It's not completely numb like before, but feels like I'm wearing an extra thick sock on one leg, which can get distracting at times, that's not an entirely accurate description, but I don't know how else to describe it.) I also have permanent arthritis in the injury site, which I can only look forward to getting worse over time. (I can slow it down by losing weight and getting active, yay....)
For treatment at home I have to continue physical therapy, take nerve pain medication, and anti-inflammatories, etc. This is my new normal, and I hate it. I can't even be too active either, because when I get too busy with chores and errands it makes the pain worse, so I have to pace myself and find a decent balance. Lots of learning, blah. The doctor did say if the pain gets worse again I can have nerve blocks as needed, which he said are less complicated than the ESI.
All in all, I do feel resolved, and content with my situation, but I still find it bothersome and irritating all the same. I'm just hoping for a fair settlement so I can buy things to make my life a little bit more comfortable and enjoyable while I'm still in this adjustment period. On the flip side, I'm also worried I might need to get a lawyer if they give me a low ball offer. =...= I hate adulting.
On a lighter note. I think I found out why I've had a sharp decline in art over the past couple of years, and why I'm so fatigued and whatnot. I was also diagnosed with Mild Sleep Apnea today (Technically Hypopnea), and am going to get a CPAP machine soon. Hopefully, I'll start feeling well before winter, and can finally get back to being a more active artist! (My husband laughs because we thinks my boobs have been literally trying to kill me since I have a thin neck, and my O2 levels only sharply drop when I'm on my back, lol)
Thank you to everyone who still supported me through all this crap. It means a lot to me that there is a group of dorks still waiting for me to return!
