Thoughts.com Blogs - Walking It Out

    As I took my first comfortable steps to the mailbox across the lawn today, I felt like it was the first time I rode my bike without falling off. It was amazing! Of course Sean was by my side because my knee brace still hasn’t come in yet, but still I did it! I have been working very hard with physical therapy to rebuild the damaged muscles in my leg and every day I can feel my body growing stronger. It is amazing to learn how to do something that you so easily took for granted before. My surgeon said that I may never run again. I know I will. He said that I would most likely walk with a limp. I am only walking with a slight one already. I still use my walker for longer walks and I know I have to be on it for at least another three weeks, but that’s okay. We will get it all decorated for Valentine’s and I will be ready to go. And it doesn’t even matter that I can’t feel part of my leg. I am just careful not to bang it in to something.  I can already feel some more sensitivity coming back to my knee. I am going back to work on Monday. I can’t believe it. It feels like it was ages ago that I was there. I am listening to my body and only working half days for this week. I chose the mornings because that seems to be my best time. I really get tired in the afternoons. I am sure it is the lack of sleeping soundly through the night and the pain medication that I am taking. I take one type to help control the nerve pain and another for the abdominal pain. I am so happy that it is all working so well, because without that I don’t think I would be able to do all that I am doing now. Though I have enjoyed my leisurely mornings of coffee, Raisin Bran cereal, and the newspaper, I am looking forward to the school routine. It has been different hanging around the house when most people are working. It’s funny that I thought of all kinds of things that I could do when I was off. I have hardly done any of those things. It is still hard for me to concentrate on television, reading, and writing, but I am doing it anyways.
    We had all of my tests last Friday and they said they appeared to go well. We will meet with Dr. Benjamin, my oncologist, Tuesday to go over the results and to discuss Chemo. I have been so nervous that he won’t actually discuss chemo that I have sent two reminders to him that I am looking forward to talking about it. I am sure he thinks I am a bit silly – I mean who gets excited about chemo??!!! Well me of course! After all, “Larry, Moe, and Curly” have got to go this year. I know it in my heart and soul that I am the cure. Prayers and believing in it have made it happen and I can’t wait! I will let you know how Tuesday goes soon.
    Yesterday, we met with Dr. Skoracki, my plastic surgeon. He said that the incision looked great and that everything was healing nicely. I had a small lymphodema that he said to just massage often to help the fluid work its way out. We won’t see him again for at least three months. I told him how amazing it looked and almost went as far as to say that I would treat him to a bowl of my famous Kraft Macaroni, but I quickly came to my senses – besides, I am sure it would all disappear before it made it to him.
    We are still scheduled to see Dr. Pollock, our surgeon on the 20th. He did such a wonderful job and I look forward to hearing about what he has to say also.
    Yesterday was also my last day for Jeane, my fabulous PT to come to the house. Since I am going back to work I won’t be considered “home-ward bound” anymore so she can’t come to the house. She said I was doing a wonderful job on my exercises and to just keep those up twice daily. And if I needed a greater challenge, I can call her and she will help me find a great PT place to go to on the island. I believe there is one by my house, but this is all a ways off. She said that I will be able to swing my leg forward while sitting down. I try it all the time. It is tough, but I am going to be able to do it. I am going to run again……not that I did a bunch of running before, and I am going to dance again too. Last week I was riding in the electric grocery cart (that was a sight to see) and this week I bet I will be pushing that cart again!! When the weather warms up, I plan to swim a lot to help build up all of my muscles. I don’t know if I will have the CVC line again, but if that is the case, then I will ask for the catheter to be surgically implanted.
    Thank you so much for all of your flowers, dinners, sweet – sweet cards and calls and visits!! I am growing stronger every day with your help. Please keep those prayers going all over. Remember what your prayers did during my surgery! Again we can fight together and beat this.
    I am already a survivor, and this April I will be out there at Moody Gardens for the big Relay for Life event. My Oppe family has put an Oppe team together. If you want to find out more about it, go to www.relayforlife.org and type in where you live. It is a wonderful event and I am so excited to walk that lap this year with all of the other survivors! We are going to camp out and I would love to see you camped right next to me!!!!!

Love to you all and I will write more soon!