State Of The Union

It is time for a State of the Union assessment. How is the union of the bones coming along? How am I feeling and progressing? Why are there tacos on that image?

Because it is Cinco De Mayo and tacos are delicious!

Here are some recent moments of healing highlights:

Last week my family and I went to Boondocks, and while playing laser tag, I forgot to not run. I remembered three steps later and reduced my efforts to a janky scurry shuffle thing, but the fact that I FORGOT to NOT was exciting! Plus, I won the game. Boom!

The next day I was out at a park with my kids. I was photographing my daughter playing in the rocks at the bank of a creek, full squat, hanging out in that position forever and ever, as comfortable as could be, waiting for the shot.

Yesterday I was at Whole Foods and needed something on the bottom shelf, waaayyyyyyy in the back. So I did this…easy peasy. I stood my badass self up after that and runway walked through the rest of the store, huge grin on my face, so proud of myself. Good thing I had a mask on, what a weirdo! Shelf scrounging is a true sign of healing.

My husband told me yesterday that I was snoring the other night, which means I was sleeping hard. Actual SLEEP!

All of this to say – HEALING IS HAPPENING!

Let’s get nerdy and review it in detail.

Do you remember my Pain Point Inventory from “PT And Other Tools”?

Pain Point Inventory – March 25, 2021, ~9 weeks post-op
1. Right iliac crest – incision plus bone harvesting. Non-issue.
2. Muscle tear – This still burns but not as much. We’ve treated it with one round of PRP and it is slowly responding. It still bulges a tiny bit. It is longer top to bottom than it was after the RPAO and extends under the right side of the abdominal incision. I’m working on closing it with engagement.
3. Abdominal incision – I’m able to start moving it to separate the layers of scarring. Otherwise it is a non-issue.
4. Linea alba incision – This is a lot less tender now. I can work on it moderately. It still has a slight ridge.
5. Rectus insertions – These are sore and a bit swollen still. They had to be removed and then reattached, stretched over the metal plate. They are likely also irritated from the metal.
6. Fusion site – I barely feel pain here. I can press on it no problem. I can squeeze my glutes every which way without pain. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to squeeze my glutes or smoosh myself in any and every way like this without pain.
7. Screw sites – ouch. I can feel all of these. They are tender and bother me a lot, especially on more active days. This also makes hip flexion and side-lying sleeping painful.
8. Right adductor attachment site – I don’t understand it but this side where the screws meet muscle attachments are the most painful.
9. Allergic reactions – WTF. (Medically and technically accurate.)

Let’s compare it to TODAY:

Pain Point Inventory – May 5, 2021, ~15 weeks post-op
1. Rectus insertions – Irritated from the metal, particularly on the left side.
2. Fusion site – Continuing to heal.
3. Screw sites – Irritated and sensitive from the metal.
4. Left adductor attachment site – The issue from the right side previously has migrated to the left.
5. Allergic reactions – Still WTF, but at least it is entertaining?

This is a lot of improvement!! I’m really only left with getting the bones to fuse so we can remove the metal. Once the metal is out it will resolve my lingering issues. I’m using the Exogen bone growth stimulator every day and doing everything possible to promote best health for bone growth.

And there we have it, my Current State of the Union. I’m carrying on, noticing and celebrating the small wins when they arise, giving grace for the backwards and sideways days, and overall keeping my eyes on the zoomed out scope of it all.

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