Moscow Journey- November 26, 2014

It turns out I do have a hip fracture but it's in my left hip and the right hip is the one that is/was hurting. Did you reread that?  The right hip stopped hurting after 2 X-Rays, 2 MRIs, and 4 doctor's appointments.  I was told that I should sit or recline to let the fracture heal.  I thought, "That's all I do anyway."  Well, one has to move if one is going to live a normal life, so on my way from the wheelchair to the throne, I had a small fall.  Of course, it was on the left hip where I already have one fracture.  By all signs, I might have another fracture.  The hip and upper thigh are swollen and are extremely painful. I called my orthopedist today, and I was told to come to my scheduled appointment on Monday.  As if I would miss it!  I'm praying it is a very tiny fracture because the doc mentioned hip replacement if I had another injury.  I've had my share of hospitals this year!

Moscow Journey-November 15, 2014

      Well, I seem to be the queen of bad luck.  After getting Dr. Fedorenko's recommendation that I have X-RAYS because of my extreme hip pain, I did so and learned I have three fractures in my spine; they did the hip x-RAYS later and don't have those results yet.  I have MRI scheduled Monday morning and apt. with orthopedist Mon. Afternoon.  Looks as if I'm headed to procedure to inject cement(?) in vertebrae to prevent collapsing.  I'm okay with this because in three days I've gone from walking with rollator to being unable to lift right foot off floor due to excruciating pain in lower back; therefore, John is pushing me everywhere as I sit on the seat in rollator. I need to find a wheelchair for temporary use until I have this procedure. Praying I'll be able to walk again after the procedure is done.  Your prayers are appreciated.

Moscow Journey-November 13, 2014

     Well, after being positive in my last post, I'm back to whining again.  Terrible pain in both hips to the extent I've declined attendance at several events I really wanted to attend because It hurts so badly to walk, even with the rollator. At this point I'm not ready to say I regret having HSCT, but I'm really ready for some positive results.

Moscow Journey-November 3, 2014

I just read my post from Oct. 3 which makes me so pleased with the progress I'm making.  I hurt so badly from the hip and back pain I was actually taking Percocet every four hours for the pain.  Well, now I take one Alleve every 24 hours, so my risk of becoming a drug addict is alleviated! The pain I have now (usually back) is a level 2 or 3 as compared to a 10 a month ago.  God's blessing again!  I see the chiropractor and PTA twice a week.  I practiced walking with the cane, and on Thursday I actually walked about 20 feet with my cane in my hand but not touching the floor.  Tonight we went to a Sunday School dinner and were there for about 3 1/2 hours.  I'm joining the living again!

Moscow Journey, October 9, 2014

Well, I didn't plan to be posting again so soon, but I just want to say,  Goodbye Bursitis!  The pain from the bursitis seems to have left, and I can't express how great that feels.  I am still having some muscle spasms in upper left leg-referred pain from hip, I'm told-but not having the hip pain will slow me to make progress in healing from the HSCT and, hopefully, regain and surpass the walking skills prior to Moscow.  My physical therapist is aiding me in balance and walking and says she can see improvement, so I'm encouraged.

I just felt compelled to share since I've done so much whining in my last few posts.

Moscow Journey, August 28, 2014

      Well, it's been an interesting week of medical testing all to reveal" I'm not normal" but there is nothing wrong with me.  Because my temperature has been fluctuating between 97 (what's with that) and 99.9 on occasion, I called the "in-call"doctor last weekend to ask if he felt I should follow HSCT protocol and go to the emergency rom if my temp reaches 100.4.  He responded,  " Use your best judgment."  I wasn't sure what to do with that since my temp did go to 100.  On Monday, I talked with my doctor's nurse (he is out of the office for two weeks), she consults with another doctor and then tells me I have an appt the next day for a chest X Ray and an appt with the doctor. To make a long story short, I was at the doctor's office or lab Mon, Tues, and Wed.  The doc said I'm "not normal", and I told him I knew that. I'm aware that I'm probably the only abnormal person in this town who has had a stem cell transplant.  I do appreciate the doctor's efficiency and thoroughness, but I can't imagine what all these tests will cost.  Everything turned out good, so I just have unusual temperatures.
     Ironically, yesterday, the only day I hadn't had to go to the doctor's office, I felt the closest to "normal" I've felt since having HSCT. I wasn't as fatigued, balance was better, not as much brain fog, and I just felt better.  Yesterday, John was preparing to build me a platform beside our bed to help me get out of bed (because our bed is so high off the floor), and when I took a nap I actually figured out how to get my own feet up on the bed and how to safely get out of the bed.  Those are such simple tasks for most people and me before 2010, but they have become major difficulties for me.  I hate that John has had to become my caregiver rather than my husband.

Moscow Journey, August 14, 2014

I had my first check up with my doctor since returning from Moscow.  I had blood work and everything looks good.  I don't have to worry about having lowered resistance to infection and can be out and around as long as I have the stamina.  The doc said chemo fatigue is common. i should be getting over it AND exercise will help with that.  That means I can't find any reason to avoid exercise!  Oh, I weigh ten pounds less than when I arrived in Moscow.  Now I just need to lose ten.....or twenty more pounds!