One Accident, Then Several Surgeries and Hundreds of Images Later…

It is that time again — time to have more images taken!  It has now been over eleven years since my one accident, but not everything was done initially.  Sure, my life was saved, my legs were spared, and I learned to walk again.  My first surgeries were successful.  Fabulous!

But they could not do everything at once.  My pelvis had to heal before I could have my hip replaced (more on that process in another post to come).  My legs had to become stronger before they could work on my left knee.  And my right shoulder was just left to be dealt with last as it was the lesser of the evils involved. 

Back then, going down to the Imaging Department was a hassle in my wheelchair; getting positioned for the pictures was painful; and then worrying about the new findings was a headache.   It seemed like every day in the hospital was one more bad diagnosis after another.  So after two weeks of bad news, I was done with it all and wanted to go home as soon as possible.  I would heal and deal with the rest later…

After eleven years, though, it had not magically healed on its own.  I did physical therapy for two years and no improvement.  I am done with the aches and pains of known injuries.  It is now time for a fix!

I Am Back For More Imaging!

Sitting in the waiting room, there are twelve of us here.  I am one of three people without gray or white hair.   People come and go, in and out of the door, and I sit and patiently wait.  Yet it seems like forever… (Checks watch and six minutes have passed.  Sigh)  I brought with my own reading, but distracted thoughts keep my focus off the pages.

MRIs in the past have been a nightmare for me, so I was nervous.  Staring up at the white tube, listening to the harsh noises.  Yuck.  This time, it did not fill my head with pains.  I focused on the music (tried to picture their videos from the 90’s) rather than the horrible banging sounds around me.  And it worked!  My body rested calmly during the test.

My mind raced with thoughts of what the images might show, what surgery will be needed, what will this next round of recovery be like, though…

When will surgery happen?  How long for recovery?  What kind of sling will be needed? How to get dressed, shower, and go to the bathroom afterwards?!  Will my arm be weaker?  Will I be able to drive?  

 

My Results Are Back Immediately?!

I love when you can get scanned and see the results the same day.  That makes it worth the drive for me!  No waiting and adding stress after the test.

As expected, there was damage from the accident that was pushed aside for many years that is still very present today.   Grade 4 bucket tear in my right shoulder with other traumatic arthritis found.  Yep.  My surgeon says we will get it fixed in the fall after school starts for the kids.  Not sure I am ready for it now mentally anyhow, so this will give me time to prepare and finish my summer list of projects.

However, putting up with weakness, pain, and altering my activities for eleven years is more than enough.  Time for a fix… This fall I will be ready for the time off and the recovery process.  Previously, taking several weeks (or months?!) off from work would not be an option with the clinic/hospital.  Now is better timing.

Since the accident, there have been waves of surgery, recovery, and balance to a new normalcy.  Once this wave passes, I have my left knee to be done.  (Screws to be removed and the inside of the joint to be shaved clean.)  It amazes me the strength that a body possesses to be able to go through trauma, repair, and then remodeling.  Wow!

Trying to do it all with grace… And using my hobbies to keep me sane.  See my site for past projects and upcoming blogs on my Murphy Bed construction that I am trying to build before this surgery, sewing planned for this winter, and fun in the kitchen…

Continue to follow me along the way!   www.KLRestored.com