Cancer/illnesses, and caregiver, support thread

[gnalan]

I haven't started PT yet. Currently I've been doing everything I can think of on my own. I've made quite a bit of progress on my own so far. I can't walk for a half hour, although I would like to. Right now I just keep working on getting my knees to bend more and more, which I've done quite a bit and have gotten quite a bit in return. I don't think I can do it all on my own, so I'll start PT when I can. I'm also trying to build up my stamina so I can walk more than about 10 minutes at a time. I'm also relearning how to bend my toes, which is painful but necessary.

It's been a very odd experience. I don't know what caused the initial injury, and slow healing caused me more issues which is what I'm working on trying to fix (may not be the right word to use, but I'm used to fixing things so I like that word). Slow and steady. I'm not trying to do to much too fast because I know that can cause more harm than good.

I'm happy with how my progress is going, and will continue to do what I can until I'm back to where I was before all of this started.

I know one thing, I'll be happy to get behind the wheel of my S60 again, when I'm able to, and just drive around.

[gnalan]

Went back to the Ortho on Tuesday, this time walking with the use of my walker. I probably walked half of a mile during the day, which made me extremely sore on Wednesday.

It was a nice feeling to be complemented by everyone that was surprised by how well I'm doing. The last time I went, in December, I was still in a wheelchair, and I surprised all of the nurses, x-ray techs, and the Dr by being able to walk. My knees still don't have their full range of motion, nor does my right ankle, but I'm still able to get around. I can walk short distances, mostly around the house, using a cane, but I'm still too unstable to use it all of the time. The muscles are slowly building back up again in my legs, which I'm extremely thankful for. I was given to ok to start driving again, and I did a little on Tuesday but I still don't feel comfortable/safe enough to drive very far.

It's been an interesting year so far. Learning how to walk again was a very odd experience, and it took awhile for my muscle memory to come back to me.

[volvolugnut]

Keep moving and improving!
volvolugnut

[gnalan]

Keep moving and improving!
volvolugnut

That I plan on. I'm still hurting from walking so much on Tuesday. That's the most I've walked in a single day since before my injury.

I tend to push myself too hard, too fast, and then it takes a couple of days to recover. I get excited being able to do more and more, and then I don't want to stop until I get to the point that I hurt too bad to do anymore. I haven't found the line between just enough and too much yet.

I almost feel like an engine that's happy just running the way it is, but turning the boost up a little bit here and there adds a little more excitement, while at the same time using more gasoline. The problem comes when I go too far with the boost and start stressing the head bolts. To put it into automotive terms lol. In this case the boost is me pushing myself harder, the gasoline is my energy level, and the head bolts are my legs.

[gnalan]

Got my car up and running again on Monday, and have driven it both Monday and Tuesday this week.

Still have limited range of motion in my knees, but I'm able to drive with both feet (thankfully it's an automatic) without any issues.

I've been trying to get outside more, and walk as much as I can. I tend to overdo it most of the time, and then hurt pretty bad the next day. I'm able to get around with a cane now, although I still use the walker when I feel too worn out and unstable to use the cane. Occasionally I can walk without any assistance, but being a little wobbly still I try not to take and walk too far like that, and definitely not alone. It doesn't take much to lose my balance still, but I'm making pretty good progress.

Still haven't started PT. I know I can do more, and faster, once I do, but right now I'm just doing my own trying to get enough balance that I don't feel worried about walking as much (especially up and down stairs, which is getting easier to do).

This situation has changed my life. The way I look at the world is a lot different than it used to be. Small things that used to be easy, or that I took for granted, aren't as easy anymore.

It's not something I would wish on anyone, and I'm still not sure what caused it to happen to me. I am thankful that I've been able to achieve the progress I have, and I couldn't have done it without the help of my family. I truly feel blessed.

More updates to come, on me and my Volvo, when I get more progress made with both.

I have posted in the "what did you do to your p2 today" thread (names may or may not be exact, but I think I'm close).

[gnalan]

My legs are getting stronger by the day, and I'm able to "walk" a little without any help from anyone/anything. My right ankle still won't bend normally, so I can't get that heel on the floor while standing or walking but I'm still doing what I can.

Range of motion in my knees is still about the same, so I really need to start PT soon. My orthopedic surgeon I see says that'll help out a lot. I'm trying to avoid knee surgery if I can, and ankle surgery too, if possible.

I've been out doing a few things on my Volvo that I can, and working on my dad's car (which I just finished installing an alternator in this morning).

Getting the itch to start tinkering/fixing things again, and the excitement/aggravation that comes along with it as well. I've missed it, a lot, even the aggravating things.

(Just a short update for those that's been following me along through my journey.)

[Krons]

Keep it up, stick with the PT. I had a two motorcycle mishaps in the past two years resulting in ortho surgeries and staying the course with PT speeds the recovery process.

[br0dy519]

My neighbour is in his final hours in a pancreatic cancer struggle. Amazing guy helped me on many of the repairs on my vehicles. Never would have been able to get my tie rods done, nor any other repair really, without his assistance, tools, and amazing box of assorted nuts/bolts. All things I haven't accumulated being a younger guy. My wife and I said goodbye to him yesterday. It's painful to see the loss of colour in his skin and no mobility. 62 years old.

Sending positivity to anyone fighting a similar fight.

[gnalan]

My neighbour is in his final hours in a pancreatic cancer struggle. Amazing guy helped me on many of the repairs on my vehicles. Never would have been able to get my tie rods done, nor any other repair really, without his assistance, tools, and amazing box of assorted nuts/bolts. All things I haven't accumulated being a younger guy. My wife and I said goodbye to him yesterday. It's painful to see the loss of colour in his skin and no mobility. 62 years old.

Sending positivity to anyone fighting a similar fight.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your neighbor.

[gnalan]

I have my first PT appt coming up on Monday. I'm a little scared about what they might have to do to loosen up my knees to regain full range of motion, but I'm hopeful that whatever they do helps me. I don't care about being in pain afterwards as long as I can still walk and drive enough to get home after each session.

When I fractured all three bones in my right knee I was in a lot of pain, and didn't know why. It took almost two months to get the MRIs done to find out that it was fractured. Nothing showed up on any of the many x-rays I had taken.

The doctor kept offering me pain meds and muscle relaxers, both of which I turned down. I took Tylenol when I needed it, but for the most part I just put up with the pain. As a recovering alcoholic, with an addictive personality, I don't take any meds unless I absolutely need to.