Fear

[cjsmith]

Today I am facing my fear that the surgery won't help.

It might do very little. Of the problems visible with MRI, only one will be corrected by surgery.

The way I face fear is by making plans. If the surgery doesn't help I will, in this order:

1. Ice a lot. Continue this while trying other steps.
2. Try a heavy dose of anti-inflammatories for a brief period to see what happens.
3. Ask Dr. O about causes/recommendations for the tendon and ligament problems (actual question probably asked earlier, at surgery time). Try injected corticosteroid if offered. Try physical therapy tailored to this problem if offered.
4. Try acupuncture.
5. Stop the ice and try prolotherapy.
6. Go to a pain clinic. This step is the end of the line for me, so the next step is...
7. Accept the problem as permanent and learn to love being a physically inactive person.

Comments

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

i know those lists well. i pretty much moved right to #7, and live there most of the year.

*hugs* if you want 'em. or should we just start doing shots instead?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. #7 isn't my preferred outcome, but from here (in limbo) it looks surprisingly good. If that's where I get I'll find a way to deal with it.

Shots!! 8-)

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

body shots, to be precise. 'cause you don't really need to stand to do those. *wink*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*chuckle*

Let's do those before surgery then, shall we? 'Cause I don't have the foggiest notion how I can shower after.

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

That's what friends are for, m'dear. :D

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*grin*

Seriously, I don't know if I will be able to stand up for long without crutches, I don't know how long I will be able to tolerate not elevating both feet, and I also don't know if I will need to keep the dressings dry. All at once could make for a very difficult shower or bath. Sponge baths might be in order for a few days. I hope I don't have to go too long with those, though!

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

plastic bags and tape/rubber bands will cover your bandages, and i'll loan you my shower stool so you don't have to be on your feet to bathe. i've not actually used it, but i've stumbled enough in the shower recently that i think it's time to haul it in from the garage and clean it up.

a thought: when my mom had her foot surgery (bunions), she found that a walker was much easier and less wobbly than crutches. she was able to borrow one, and it already had a handy bag attached for stashing things as she moved around (like the cordless phone). i know you have the wheelchair, but for around the house and kitties, it might be a better method of making yourself mobile.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice! I haven't had much luck with plastic bags in the past, but I may wind up trying it again this time due to lack of options. And I'll ask about borrowing a walker! It would be especially great to have both that and crutches, so I could use whatever worked best on a given day.

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

You might be able to freecycle a walker. But you might need one on wheels because your problem won't be balance, but keeping weight off your feet.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Right, it would have to be the kind with wheels. I was incredibly lucky to score the wheelchair through Freecycle!