Happy New Year!

It's a new year and I have a new goal for total recovery of my Foot Drop.  I feel like I am still making progress, it's just so slow! The feeling of my right (dropped) foot feels almost as though I have a 'numbing cream' on it, which I don't.  My foot seems to be raising slightly more than in August (when I last posted).  But, it's still a struggle to pull back my toes.  I have to think about it really hard, and even then, I can only pull them back about half the distance of my left foot.  Overall, I still have hope and am just patiently waiting for a total recovery - estimating April 2015 (2 years post-PAO).

As for the CRPS in my right foot - I am doing wonderful!  I have not needed any "Sympathetic Nerve Block Injections" this winter (so far).  I still have moments when I get a sparking or knife stabbing feeling, but once I warm my foot up it usually goes away. 

Ankle Swollen & Pain

Lately, I've been experiencing some slight swelling in my right ankle (of the dropped foot) which in turn, I think, has been causing me some ankle pain.  I have noticed it mainly when I am on my feet more, which makes it hard to walk.  Not only am I thinking about raising my foot, I am now thinking about the pain I am going to experiencing every step I take.  Even though I am longer in physical therapy, I still feel as though my foot is still making progress.  I just don't see the numbers anymore.  I wish someone could measure it for me! I'm wondering if I am experiencing the swelling and pain since I am so close to a "possible total foot drop recovery?"   I'm going to estimate that my foot drop will be completely recovered by December 2014.  The month that the EMG doctor estimated total recovery to me one year ago (but he told me December 2013!).

CRPS Symptoms

Just came across a scratch piece of paper that I wrote down all the symptoms I was having before I saw Dr. Patel for the first time (over a year ago, before I was diagnosed with CRPS).  I literally thought I was just having 'nerve pain' as that is what my surgeon thought, since I got Drop Foot after surgery.  They kept telling me that the nerve pain would be painful.  Little did they know, or myself, I developed CRPS.  It brings back a lot of bad memories as I was in so much pain at the time, and crying nightly.  I feel so fortunate to have been referred to such a wonderful doctor that has taken most of that pain away.

(Note I brought first time I saw Dr. Patel)

APM Testimonial Link

Check out my video testimonial for APM Health  ....  Sarah - APM Testimonial

Email Update

I've been emailing back-and-forth with Dr. JS and his nurse for a couple weeks, with the intention of trying to get my left hip PAO done sooner than later.  At this time, Dr. JS felt it would be in my best interest to hold off for a little while until the timing was right.  There are still a few things that he would like me to accomplish before undergoing a PAO on my left hip.  

His response was honestly not what I wanted to hear, but honestly what is best for me.  So, I will work on what he needs me to accomplish and go from there.

Flip Flops or Sandals?

Last summer, I wasn't able to put on flip flops without pulling my big toe through, as my big toe was "dead" from the Drop Foot.  I also wasn't able to keep the flip flops on my feet once they were on.  You don't realize how much you use you toe muscles and such to keep your shoes on, until you can't! So, I purchased sandals with straps around the back of my heel to keep them on.  

This summer, I attempted to put flip flops on again.  I can do it easier and pretty much don't need to pull my big toe through.  I have to think about it, and it takes me longer than my left foot, but I can do it! I can also keep the flip flop on easier than I could last year.  However, it's still not an easy task, as I need to focus on my walking even more so I don't trip.  So, I still use my sandals with the straps around the back.  I'm hoping by next summer, I will be able to wear flip flops again! 

Left Hip Pain

My left hip has been becoming increasingly more painful.  Every night I've been having to use my "Elasto-Gel" Cooling Wrap (btw, best thing ever) around my hip to calm the pain.  I can't lay on my back or my sides to fall asleep, I have to be on my stomach.  It's just weird how much it is hurting me "at rest" now, and not just when I am active.  On a positive note . . . I can't measure my foot, but from the looks of it - I think I'm raising it a few more degrees!

I wrote Dr. JS's nurse an email over 1.5 weeks ago .... pleading that I need this surgery soon than later!  Last week (Wednesday), she responded that she would talk with Dr. JS and get back to me.  I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm hoping for a good response.  I can't keep living like this.  I limp in pain while at the grocery store, the park, etc. I can't even chase my kids.  I can barely lift my leg to put on my pants, socks or shoes.  I literally have to lift my leg with my hands to do these tasks.

My right hip - PAO - was a success! I have little-to-NO pain! It's unbelievable.  All the years that I grew up thinking that a little pain here and there was just normal pain.  It wasn't.  And, now that the pain is just unbearable on my left side, and now that I know that there is a surgery that can take all that pain away - that's all I want! Yes, my first PAO had a few complications - that's with any surgery! But, I got through them and am now living with a newly reconstructed hip.  One that has no limitations, like if I got a "hip replacement."  Which I am so happy that technology has come so far that, they were able to preserve my own hip, and have only a few artificial screws to hold it place.  Which, by the way, could potential be removed.  I am still blown away by the surgery that I got, and love explaining it to others.