Where I Should Be

According to the neurologist we met with last week, I am right where I should be in terms of my leg healing. I pointed out to him that technically I shouldn’t be dealing with this at all, that the nerve damage was an unexpected side effect of the surgery, etc. He responded by saying, “Well, yes but in terms of a compressed nerve you are making the progress we like to see”. I guess that’s good news. I have a lot more feeling and movement than I did when they last saw me in the hospital and they were glad to see me getting around with the brace and one crutch and to hear that the physical therapy was going well. I asked the expected question of “how long is this going to take” and his response was to tell me to measure from where the damage occurred to the top of the muscle and figure that the nerve will re-grow at a rate of 1 millimeter per day. I’m still looking for a metric measuring tool in our house, but the estimate is still between 8 months and a year. If I don’t get an estimate when I finally have the EMG test done, then I’m sure I’ll get one when I start my out patient physical therapy.

EMG stands for Electromyography, which is a test that assesses the health of the muscles and the nerves controlling the muscles. It will give us confirmation that the nerves were compressed and not severed during the surgery. The neurologist said we don’t need the test to make a diagnosis, but it will give me piece of mind, which is what I need. If the nerves had been severed then I would not have feeling and movement in my ankle and foot as I do. I realize this, but still want the test so that we are absolutely certain I will get full mobility back in my leg sooner rather than later.
The test is relatively simple – a needle electrode is inserted through the skin into the muscle. The electrical activity detected by the electrode will provide information about the ability of the muscle to respond to nerve stimulation. My test is scheduled for the first week of June, which is also when I begin my outpatient physical therapy.

I was frustrated when I first heard these dates, but a glance at the calendar reminded me that June is just 2 weeks away, so I guess I can hold out until then. My at home physical therapy ended last week, but for now I continue my daily exercises at home and have been getting out and about which will help as well.

My first week at home on my own was long, especially with the rain, rain and more rain we had here in New England which kept me cooped up inside, but I got through just fine. I got my own breakfast and lunch, kept well hydrated and even prepared dinner one night. I also went through all of TiVo and Netflix movies, a few lousy romance novels and all my catalog shopping. I also had to make an unexpected visit to the urologist. After my last cystogram they changed my catheter and for some reason the new one was feeling very uncomfortable. It was as though it was too big for me, even though it was the same size as the one they had removed. No need to share all the details; however I now have a new smaller catheter and am much more comfortable. We’ll be making a fourth attempt to remove it permanently this week.

I’m going to spend the early part of the week in Rhode Island, getting a change of scenery from these walls, but will return to Boston for my urology appointment on Thursday. We’ll be sticking around Somerville n for the long weekend so if you find yourself in town give us a call – I’ve actually been up for some socializing lately!

Later….