Had to go to the Dermatologist stat today as my lung transplant coordinator didn't like the look of a growth on my left calf.
Immunosuppressed transplant recipients are highly susceptible to skin cancers and I am fair skinned.
They did a biopsy and I should know something by the end of the week.
Also,my lower leg edema (my "cankles")seem to have returned.
Probably because I'm more active and upright now, so I'm back in the TED hose like back in 2009, right after my stroke.
REALLY???!!!
Yesterday was the 6 year anniversary of my double lung transplant, during which I suffered my stroke.
The transplant saved my life.
The stroke changed my life.
It was a steep price to pay, but I have lived to watch my son grow up and see my husband embark on a second career as a middle school teacher. I've been able to see my parents reach their 90's, and to know and love our dog, Gus.
I hate having a stroke,
but I love being alive.
Know what I mean?
(I've decided to try blogging from the perspective of my left arm/hand (my affected side) who I affectionately call "Mr Lefty.")
Lefty's Blog
I'm feeling less tight lately. The new brace Rose has been using at night seems to help. It holds my wrist in place and stops me from staying in the bent/flexed position I seem to crave. She also has me hold a tennis ball when she's driving. (Mr Righty does all the steering, I just hang out on her lap.) When we're stopped at a red light, I squeeze a
Today I held a 1 pound weight in Mr Lefty and did some arm stretches holding it. On my morning walk someone waved to me and my left arm instinctively tried to wave back. It achieved a slight arm raise, but the point is, it tried to do something without my thinking about it. Some pathways from my brain to my left side are starting to develop. I know that my brain is trying so hard to heal itself and if I encourage it along; trying to hold things with my left hand, stretching, squeezing a ball, it
Things are changing for me and I want to share them with my fellow survivors and their families. I am almost 6 years post-stroke. I have left side hemiparesis. Lately, I've been exercising more(walking and exercise bike),stretching out my arm and hand more regularly, and getting better sleep. Also, I am FINALLY on a cocktail of antidepressants that seems to be working for me. Recently I have been able to use my left arm and hand more (for assisting the right hand; I'm right handed) and I am ab
A few weeks ago I started seeing a new OT, and she suggested that I investigate Botox because she felt that any progress in my left arm and hand might be helped with Botox. Today I was evaluated by a Physical Medicine and Rehab doctor at UNC here in Chapel Hill. She checked out my spasticity and my range of motion and announced that she thought I'd be a good candidate for Botox. Now we wait and see if Blue Cross/Blue Sheild feels like helping to pay for it. Hopefully I'll get my first inject
Starting a blog is just one part of entering the jump rope game.
My goal for 2010 is getting more into that jump rope game, I feel like I'm standing on the sidelines without the courage and get up and go to jump over the rope and get into the game. Reading other peoples blogs inspires me to give it a try. I'm almost a year and four months past stroke and I'm tired of my job being recovery only. if I could spend a little of each day working on my hand and a little of each day working on life
