Radioactive AFOs?

Ok - so now that I think this blog is updated pretty well to the current situation, I can actually write as I go.

Tuesday was a rough day. I had PT for an hour and then OT for an hour. Then I had to get my AFOs (Forrest Gump leg brace thingys) cut so that I could bend my foot and walk like a normal person. (I think I'll need to take a photo to explain...). Anyways, that took some time. Then I had to go to the Cancer Institute for my mapping for radiation therapy, which is basically a test run of where to target the radiation.

First things first - cutting the AFOs. They basically took away my crutch. After they cut them, I felt so unstable that I could barely walk. It was really upsetting. Granted I was pretty exhausted from all the PT. Still, it was a mental blow to be able to balance and then not be able to. After that, I pretty much stayed in my wheelchair all day because I just felt like I was going to fall every time I got up to walk with the AFOs.

After that, I went to Joan's office to wait for the radiation appointment. At the appointment, pretty much figured that I can use my wheelchair to get to the appointment and into the machine. Which is good because sometimes I don't know if I need to bring both the walker and wheelchair so it saves some effort and time. Anyways, did you know when you go to get mapped for radiation they tattoo you? Not even with a tattoo gun - with ink and a needle? I now have three little freckle type tattoos on me. One on each side of my belly and one snack in the center of my belly. Funny enough - the sides hurt more than the one in the center. Must be all that padding. To be honest though, I don't even know where they are... I can't tell the difference between them and an actual freckle. Hope they can...

So after that, went back to Hanger (the AFO place) to see if they could make my left (bad) leg more stable because I just wasn't feeling it. Hornel, awesome guy, worked really hard to try and get them to work but in the end I was just over it. So we went home. Let's just say - I had a really, really tough time getting into the house. Emotionally - I was over it and upset because I felt like I was progressing and getting better and then this! I couldn't even walk into the house. Then I was upset because I thought that I should have known better than to let them do that because I didn't feel ready. Then I was upset because I just wanted my old ones back but they already cut those. So then I was upset because I didn't think my insurance would cover another set and so on. Just being in a pit. And, of course, Joan is the shining ray of light and tells me everything will be ok. I'm just tired and tomorrow we'll work on the new AFOs and it'll be fine. I should just know that she's right, because she is.

So Wednesday - took it easy around the house. Didn't have rehab so just didn't do a whole lot. Joan came home and we walked around with the new AFOs. It took so much effort, but we did it. And that made me feel better about them because I have to use them to get in and out of the house since we have two steps.

So this morning, after much effort and finagling I got out the house and into the car. At PT, Hornel and my therapist worked to make the AFO more stable. The problem is I'm hyper-extending my knee in order to have stability. So, either I walk bad but feel stable or walk well but probably fall. So, stable it is. They are still cut but now have a tether to hold my knee back. Also, since they AFOs are starting to get a little big (from muscle loss... although, I think they were a bit big to start with...) I'll probably be getting new ones once I start radiation - at no extra costs. Apparently, when you buy something like these - they come with some lifetime adjustment guarantee or whatnot. So, that's good...

What else? Got into the bathroom at the rehab center by myself in the wheelchair. I normally use the walker but because it was prior to the AFOs fixing, I was still in my wheelchair. So I decided I wanted to try transferring from the wheelchair to the toilet incase I go somewhere without the walker, like the movies or a store. And - it can be done! Is it easy? Hell no. You try pulling up your pants without standing up! But, I'm proud of myself for being able to do it. It makes me feel better about going out and doing things. (I think I'll save my bathroom drama for another post because it's, well, what it is...)

So, let's end on a good note. Today had PT and OT. Got AFOs more stable. Used the wheelchair in the bathroom. And walked up the stairs into the house on my own two feet (and Joan's trusty hands supporting me up the steps.) :0)