I've been remiss: an update

Started physical therapy on April 18, three times a week (only approved for seven sessions so far). It started off easy, but by the second session the therapist was stretching and pulling and pushing so much I was actually pounding the table. Youch! The good part is that there is no pain afterward, although my ankle -- especially my heel -- becomes quite sore during the night. I've been taking some ibuprofen on PT nights, but the heel thing can only be relieved by stretching -- not something I particularly want to lay in bed and do at 2 a.m. Nevertheless, there has been some progress. I've lost most of my lurch and I'm trying to correct a weird lean to the left. I'll never be an Olympic athlete, but then again, I was a long way from that before all this happened. I don't start working my foot side to side until later in May, and it will be interesting to see how that feels. I have five more sessions to be approved on this prescription and Dr. Healey wrote a prescription for another two months of bi-weekly sessions.

My four-week follow-up with Dr. Healey was on Monday, and he said everything looks good. I'm permanently done with the Herman Munster boot, can now get my incision wet (although I still can't soak my foot), and no longer have to wear the aircast to bed. I'll be wearing the aircast when I'm up and about for at least another six weeks, although I don't wear it when I'm at PT. I gave him the CD of my MRI, and he said he didn't expect to see anything on the films. I assume he'll call me if he finds anything.

I made it into the city four days in a row this week. It's a record since the end of January. I think four days was actually too much, as I am physically exhausted and my foot is not too happy with me during the day either. It's amazing how quickly I lost my energy and how long it's taking for it to return.

Next up is our trip to Florida. Hurray! I haven't thought of what to pack (one of each shoe, perhaps), but we plan to spend most of our time in shorts or bathing suits. Unfortunately, I have to wear the aircast on the beach and I need to keep my incision out of the sun, but it will be relaxing nonetheless and great to see our many Florida-based cruise friends. We'll be visiting Tallahassee, Orlando, Boynton Beach, Sanibel Island and Bradenton in a whirlwind 10-day trip. (Not looking forward to the price of gas is in Florida.) It will be so wonderful to relax and not worry about tests, appointments or PT. It's been a while since we had a real vacation (can't count the Thanksgiving cruise since it immediately followed Dad's funeral) and being home certainly wasn't a vacation. Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine and gentle breezes.

All I want for my birthday...

Today is my 44th birthday, and Ed's been bugging me for a few months about what I wanted. This year what I really want is what no one can give me: to be cancer free for the rest of my life and to have another day to spend with my dad. This is my first birthday that Dad hasn't been here to wish me another happy year and, since I stopped living at home, sing "Happy Birthday" over the phone with Mom. Last year, he and Mom surprised me by arriving for dinner -- a little scheme cooked up with Ed. I didn't know then that it would be the last of my birthdays that we would spend together, but I remember that we decided to order in Chinese food, and Dad cleaned his plate, as usual.

This Friday would have been Dad's 75th birthday. I don't remember what we did for his birthday last year, but I know we called and sang to him, because that's a family tradition. So this year, on my birthday, I want to tell my dad how much I wish I could share one more hug and hear one more "daughter dear." And to say that I wish I had kept a recording of one of his birthday songs so I could listen to it today. I miss you, Daddy. Happy birthday.

Physical Therapy

Yesterday I went for my physical therapy evaluation. I was poked, prodded, and measured every which way, and the therapist filled out pages of paperwork. Once they receive approval from Oxford with the number of visits I'm allowed, we can begin. In the meantime, I have seven exercises to perform at home twice a day, plus he approved the two exercises I was performing on our weight machines. Put the kabosh on walks on the treadmill for the near future, though, but I can walk around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, that's still in the dreaded Herman Munster boot unless I can convince Dr. Healey via phone to let me wear the aircast locally.

I made it into the office twice this week via bus and subway. Ed was not thrilled about letting me go off on my own, but it helped my confidence immeasurably to accomplish it. Monday night, I was exhausted, my foot was swollen, and I slept for 10 hours. Thursday night, I was tired, my foot was a bit less swollen and I slept for 9 hours. I think the two days' rest in between trips really helped, and since I'm working from home this coming week, I'll have more of a chance to work on my exercises and build up my stamina.

Every week I'm getting a little stronger and a little more confident in my ability eventually to "ambulate normally," as I like to say. One of these days, I may lose my "Gimpy" designation!