Rewind to the weekend of July 2 and 3. I started to feel a numbness/tingling sensation in the arch of my right foot - yep, not good. Since I was originally tested for nerve damage, I wasn't too happy with this new symptom. I did a fair job of ignoring it, but decided to call my orthopedic doc on the evening of July 4. I ended up going in to see him the next day, and I also had my x-rays taken and reviewed then, too - so, my much-awaited reevaluation appointment happened a full week ahead of schedule! Here is what I've learned:
* I will continue to monitor the wonky area on my foot. If it continues to spread and/or becomes painful, I've been told to call the doc again. They think it's most likely a nerve that's being tweaked, thanks to the shifting happening in my pelvic region.
* My new x-rays looked good. Whereas my separation was at about 2.5cm when I was first diagnosed, it's now looking like it's at 2.2cm.
* Still need to work on leveling-out my hips: the entire left side is still positioned quite a bit lower than the right, thanks to the rupture.
* I've been told to keep up the good work in the pool at PT. As a matter of fact, I just added a new exercise to the regime that has me propelling myself the length of the pool, wearing mini-flippers on my feet and floating my top-half with a pool noodle... SO good, it's like REAL exercise! More on that soon in an upcoming post.
* I'm down to 157lbs (from 187 when I delivered R), and I've lost 3 of those lbs in the last 2 months. Being lighter will ultimately help my healing process, as my pelvis will have less weight to support. I'm pretty pleased with myself, seeing as I've stopped breastfeeding and am not doing actual cardio.
* I have orders to request my initial x-rays from the orthopedic center that diagnosed me (somehow they haven't been sent to my current orthopedic pelvic doc yet?!), so that at my next appointment he can more carefully compare the two images.
* I'll go back in for more x-rays and another reevaluation in just over a month, on August 16.
SO. As anticipated, and as experienced thus far, my recovery is HAPPENING, but it's happening S-L-O-W-L-Y. According to these newest bits of news, it will hopefully continue on as such. More soon - #staythankful
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Friday, July 1, 2016
Onward, Onward
Well, here we are, almost a month from my last post. Here is what's cooking...
* I am officially back in the pool for PT, without any resurgence of infection! THANK GOODNESS. Today will mark my fourth session, and I am loving it. My body is also loving it... the weightlessness of the salt water pool is amazing - I literally feel no pain when I'm in there. I am currently working on walking "regularly" (heel-to-toe, natural stride length, etc.) and strengthening both my hips and my belly. MAN, will I ever be excited when I can begin working away at my mommy-pooch... !
* My first session with my therapist went well. I definitely haven't ruled out meeting with her again - as a matter of fact, I plan to next week. I was worried that I would leave that first meeting thinking that I had wasted my time, but that's not the case. Hopefully it will help me feel better about everything that has happened.
* This month I meet with the orthopedic trauma doctor again. I'll have another round of x-rays to see how my healing is going, and to make a plan of attack for the next few months of recovery. I'm still using the Rollator now, but I wonder if the doc will support me using a cane and/or crutches instead - my PT has been wondering if that would be a good next step (no pun intended), to help me re-learn how to walk correctly (gait training). We shall see.
I am finding it hard to believe that it's been almost 5 months since R was born, since I first learned what a pubic symphysis is, and how much it sucks to have it rupture. Maybe these blog posts have helped someone else going through the same thing, or dealing with PSD, etc. etc. No matter what, I know that that blogging has been a definite, therapeutic activity on this end. Here's to RECOVERY - no matter how slow it's been, it's HAPPENING. #staythankful
* I am officially back in the pool for PT, without any resurgence of infection! THANK GOODNESS. Today will mark my fourth session, and I am loving it. My body is also loving it... the weightlessness of the salt water pool is amazing - I literally feel no pain when I'm in there. I am currently working on walking "regularly" (heel-to-toe, natural stride length, etc.) and strengthening both my hips and my belly. MAN, will I ever be excited when I can begin working away at my mommy-pooch... !
* My first session with my therapist went well. I definitely haven't ruled out meeting with her again - as a matter of fact, I plan to next week. I was worried that I would leave that first meeting thinking that I had wasted my time, but that's not the case. Hopefully it will help me feel better about everything that has happened.
* This month I meet with the orthopedic trauma doctor again. I'll have another round of x-rays to see how my healing is going, and to make a plan of attack for the next few months of recovery. I'm still using the Rollator now, but I wonder if the doc will support me using a cane and/or crutches instead - my PT has been wondering if that would be a good next step (no pun intended), to help me re-learn how to walk correctly (gait training). We shall see.
I am finding it hard to believe that it's been almost 5 months since R was born, since I first learned what a pubic symphysis is, and how much it sucks to have it rupture. Maybe these blog posts have helped someone else going through the same thing, or dealing with PSD, etc. etc. No matter what, I know that that blogging has been a definite, therapeutic activity on this end. Here's to RECOVERY - no matter how slow it's been, it's HAPPENING. #staythankful
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
BumpMoves Blog Post
This is an interesting, to-the-point, understandable blog post about PSD. I found it very helpful (although lacking in great English grammar/spelling) when I was trying to understand what had happened to me, and what my doctor might suggest by way of treatment.
http://bumpmoves.com/pregnancy/diastasis-symphysis-pubis/
http://bumpmoves.com/pregnancy/diastasis-symphysis-pubis/
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Rolling Over, Starting Therapy, Etc.
Time for an update (again, as R snoozes).
This marks the 6th week of outpatient PT for me, and nearly 4 months since my injury. I'm still out of the pool (although my nipples are finally better - hooray for steriod/anti-fungal cream!), but am making some progress. During my sessions, I now practice rolling over (from my back to my sides), with a pillow between my knees. This was the move that I absolutely COULD NOT do without excruciating pain a mere month ago. With the blessing of my PT, I tried laying on my side for 10 minutes in my own bed here at home three days ago. It was easy-peasy, but I've suffered bad SI joint pain since then... whoops. I have PT again today, so I plan on mentioning that... seems like I should practice for less time, the next time I attempt that particular move. As it turns out, little R can roll over, too! Only from back to belly consistently, but... he's definitely better at it than I am at this point!
I've decided to see a therapist. Now that R is under control (as much control as a 4 month old can be, hah!) and my physical recovery seems stable, I feel like I have the energy to put into my mental health. I'm not doom-and-gloom 24/7, but - hands-down, this has been the most difficult time in my life to date. Life with baby has been nothing like I expected, thanks to my pubic symphysis rupture. The simple act of walking around the house with R in my arms is one I long for. I'd love to load R in the car and go for a stroll in the park, browse around TJ Maxx, etc, but that's not something I can do alone yet. I know I'm making progress to that elusive full-recovery, but I definitely need to take some time and learn some more coping mechanisms for myself.
I've also stopped breastfeeding - log this under "another unplanned event in life with an infant". It was a hard decision to make, but so far it's been a good one. R has been weaning for over a month, unintentionally: my supply has always been low (thanks to my injury), and R's demand has recently sky rocketed. I would breastfeed him, he would empty them, cry, and then either myself or my hubby would offer him a bottle of formula, from which he would happily drain at least 4oz. R hasn't skipped a beat since I stopped offering him the breast, and (no surprise here!) by body seems to be easily slowing its milk production. I would guess that it'll take me 2 weeks max to dry up completely (it's been nearly a week now). A definite bonus to stopping breastfeeding is that my body will stop producing the hormones that relax my pelvic region, which should make it easier for my symphysis to stitch itself back together. It's pretty crazy how the female body makes all of these insane changes while becoming/once becoming a mother. Speaking of mothering - baby boy is awake! Later -
This marks the 6th week of outpatient PT for me, and nearly 4 months since my injury. I'm still out of the pool (although my nipples are finally better - hooray for steriod/anti-fungal cream!), but am making some progress. During my sessions, I now practice rolling over (from my back to my sides), with a pillow between my knees. This was the move that I absolutely COULD NOT do without excruciating pain a mere month ago. With the blessing of my PT, I tried laying on my side for 10 minutes in my own bed here at home three days ago. It was easy-peasy, but I've suffered bad SI joint pain since then... whoops. I have PT again today, so I plan on mentioning that... seems like I should practice for less time, the next time I attempt that particular move. As it turns out, little R can roll over, too! Only from back to belly consistently, but... he's definitely better at it than I am at this point!
I've decided to see a therapist. Now that R is under control (as much control as a 4 month old can be, hah!) and my physical recovery seems stable, I feel like I have the energy to put into my mental health. I'm not doom-and-gloom 24/7, but - hands-down, this has been the most difficult time in my life to date. Life with baby has been nothing like I expected, thanks to my pubic symphysis rupture. The simple act of walking around the house with R in my arms is one I long for. I'd love to load R in the car and go for a stroll in the park, browse around TJ Maxx, etc, but that's not something I can do alone yet. I know I'm making progress to that elusive full-recovery, but I definitely need to take some time and learn some more coping mechanisms for myself.
I've also stopped breastfeeding - log this under "another unplanned event in life with an infant". It was a hard decision to make, but so far it's been a good one. R has been weaning for over a month, unintentionally: my supply has always been low (thanks to my injury), and R's demand has recently sky rocketed. I would breastfeed him, he would empty them, cry, and then either myself or my hubby would offer him a bottle of formula, from which he would happily drain at least 4oz. R hasn't skipped a beat since I stopped offering him the breast, and (no surprise here!) by body seems to be easily slowing its milk production. I would guess that it'll take me 2 weeks max to dry up completely (it's been nearly a week now). A definite bonus to stopping breastfeeding is that my body will stop producing the hormones that relax my pelvic region, which should make it easier for my symphysis to stitch itself back together. It's pretty crazy how the female body makes all of these insane changes while becoming/once becoming a mother. Speaking of mothering - baby boy is awake! Later -
Monday, May 16, 2016
BS!
As I sit here with a napping R in my lap (we just passed the 2 hour mark!!), it's a good time for an update. I'm sad to report that I'm not doing PT in the pool right now, and possibly ever again. I developed a nasty case of contact dermatitis on my nipples, and my PCP is certain that it's from the chemicals in the pool. I saw her almost a week ago, and have orders to apply lanolin, air-dry as possible, and stay out of the water. So. To put things bluntly, I find this turn of events to be complete BS and am feeling bummed. As I wrote in my last post, I was really enjoying my time in the pool, in addition to it being the best possible PT for healing my PS... gahhhhh! So frustrating! I'm not sure that getting back to pool PT (and risking more nipple issues) would be worth it to me. We shall see.
In the meantime, I'm still going to PT, but am doing "dry" activities. A new one is "tummy time". No, but really: just like R, I now have this on my daily to-do list! My PT has me laying on my stomach for 10 minutes. While I'm down there, she helps me do other stretching-related exercises, but the tummy time is apparently helping my hips stretch back and realign themselves. Not too shabby.
OK, the boy seems to be stirring. More later.
In the meantime, I'm still going to PT, but am doing "dry" activities. A new one is "tummy time". No, but really: just like R, I now have this on my daily to-do list! My PT has me laying on my stomach for 10 minutes. While I'm down there, she helps me do other stretching-related exercises, but the tummy time is apparently helping my hips stretch back and realign themselves. Not too shabby.
OK, the boy seems to be stirring. More later.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Pool PT Review
So far, so good!
PT in the pool has been REALLY great. I've had a total of 3 sessions so far, and am scheduled for 8. Not only am I doing exercises to strengthen my core and hips (which will help my PS slowly stitch itself back together), I am also getting the benefits of good old exercise. After each session, I'm feeling muscle soreness that's just from doing ANYTHING exercise-related, and I love it. Here's what my last session looked like:
* Total time: 35 minutes
* With a pool noodle, walk forward 4 lengths of the pool (focusing on heel-to-toe stepping).
* With a pool noodle, walk backwards 2 lengths of the pool (focusing on toe-to-heel stepping).
* Holding on to the pool deck for balance, march in place for 20 steps total.
* Stand without holding on to the pool deck (so, with arms at my side) for 10 seconds. Do this with feet together, left foot forward, and right foot forward.
* Laying/floating in a recliner position (with the pool noodle supporting me behind my arms), do flutter kicks, pedal pushers, and legs in/out. Do 20 reps of each.
* Traction float (i.e. floating with the pool noodle supporting me behind my arms) for 5-ish minutes.
The above workout definitely made me sore later that afternoon. Today (the day after), I'm feeling the usual pains and aches, but nothing too crazy. It's pretty easy to differentiate between PS pain and regular, healthy soreness. I hope that I continue to make progress... I suppose that plateauing is a fear of mine. Time will tell!
More later, gators.
PT in the pool has been REALLY great. I've had a total of 3 sessions so far, and am scheduled for 8. Not only am I doing exercises to strengthen my core and hips (which will help my PS slowly stitch itself back together), I am also getting the benefits of good old exercise. After each session, I'm feeling muscle soreness that's just from doing ANYTHING exercise-related, and I love it. Here's what my last session looked like:
* Total time: 35 minutes
* With a pool noodle, walk forward 4 lengths of the pool (focusing on heel-to-toe stepping).
* With a pool noodle, walk backwards 2 lengths of the pool (focusing on toe-to-heel stepping).
* Holding on to the pool deck for balance, march in place for 20 steps total.
* Stand without holding on to the pool deck (so, with arms at my side) for 10 seconds. Do this with feet together, left foot forward, and right foot forward.
* Laying/floating in a recliner position (with the pool noodle supporting me behind my arms), do flutter kicks, pedal pushers, and legs in/out. Do 20 reps of each.
* Traction float (i.e. floating with the pool noodle supporting me behind my arms) for 5-ish minutes.
The above workout definitely made me sore later that afternoon. Today (the day after), I'm feeling the usual pains and aches, but nothing too crazy. It's pretty easy to differentiate between PS pain and regular, healthy soreness. I hope that I continue to make progress... I suppose that plateauing is a fear of mine. Time will tell!
More later, gators.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Assistive Devices
I've had to rely on an assortment of assistive devices since coming home from the hospital. Here they are, with reviews and all:
* A Rollator walker: This has been my most used assistive device. Before getting a Rollator, I was using a less heavy-duty, 2-wheeled walker. The Rollator has 4 wheels, ergonomic handles, brakes, and a seat that also functions as a place to store/transport things. These days, I don't use the Rollator when I'm moving around small areas in my house (like the bathroom, the walk-in closet, etc.). So long as I have something to balance myself on nearby (counter tops, door frames, and the like), I do OK. The Rollator also easily folds up and fits in the trunk of my small SUV for transport. I have it in a bright blue color, too, which adds to its appeal in my mind.
* A grabber: This is used to (what else!) grab things that are out of reach. There are TONS of affordable grabbers out there - I have an EZ Reacher that I found at Rite Aid. I don't need to use it anymore, but it was most helpful to pull up my pants (TMI? Maybe. Oh well!) and pull down shades in my living room.
* A raised toilet seat: A completely necessary item! When I first came home from the hospital, sitting down was NOT easy to do. Both the pain and the unsteadiness of my core contributed to that. I have a Drive Medical Elevated Toilet Seat, with the padded arms. It's still installed in our guest bathroom, although I could probably sit and stand without it now.
* A rubber ring seat: I didn't start using this until a few weeks ago, when I started sitting at the kitchen table again. It's literally a rubber, blowup ring that you sit on - VERY comfortable. I also picked this up at Rite Aid.
These were all things that my PT suggested I use. They all definitely helped my functionality around the house. Even though I paid out of pocket for a few of them, I figure I'll use them again when I reach the geriatric stage of life! :)
Also, for the record: it took me 3 days to write and publish this post, thanks to the presence of my little R. He'll be 3 months old next week... time is FLYING, in that regard!
* A Rollator walker: This has been my most used assistive device. Before getting a Rollator, I was using a less heavy-duty, 2-wheeled walker. The Rollator has 4 wheels, ergonomic handles, brakes, and a seat that also functions as a place to store/transport things. These days, I don't use the Rollator when I'm moving around small areas in my house (like the bathroom, the walk-in closet, etc.). So long as I have something to balance myself on nearby (counter tops, door frames, and the like), I do OK. The Rollator also easily folds up and fits in the trunk of my small SUV for transport. I have it in a bright blue color, too, which adds to its appeal in my mind.
* A grabber: This is used to (what else!) grab things that are out of reach. There are TONS of affordable grabbers out there - I have an EZ Reacher that I found at Rite Aid. I don't need to use it anymore, but it was most helpful to pull up my pants (TMI? Maybe. Oh well!) and pull down shades in my living room.
* A raised toilet seat: A completely necessary item! When I first came home from the hospital, sitting down was NOT easy to do. Both the pain and the unsteadiness of my core contributed to that. I have a Drive Medical Elevated Toilet Seat, with the padded arms. It's still installed in our guest bathroom, although I could probably sit and stand without it now.
* A rubber ring seat: I didn't start using this until a few weeks ago, when I started sitting at the kitchen table again. It's literally a rubber, blowup ring that you sit on - VERY comfortable. I also picked this up at Rite Aid.
These were all things that my PT suggested I use. They all definitely helped my functionality around the house. Even though I paid out of pocket for a few of them, I figure I'll use them again when I reach the geriatric stage of life! :)
Also, for the record: it took me 3 days to write and publish this post, thanks to the presence of my little R. He'll be 3 months old next week... time is FLYING, in that regard!
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