Hi Lisa, thanks for asking.
Actually, the last few days have been kind of sucky. Nothing major, just frustration at the lack of progress and headaches (probably from too much time at the computer) because of my vision. Physically, I am progressing pretty well. Saturday I walked a full two miles in the neighborhood. I am still using a cane when out of the house because of my balance, but i need it less.
I am also experiencing some pain/discomfort again in my hips and other places as healing continues. Save for the two spots on the back of my head where I think they clamped me down, all my wounds have healed pretty well, most of them completely. I have a few marks and blemishes from bed sores or tape, but I wear those, and and my scars proudly.
Really, the vision is the worst of it. My neurosurgeon called me last Thursday night about it and is of the opinion it is bruising on the nerve and swelling and so not to do anything until I see him May 10. Unfortunately, I had a some days of intense discomfort feeling like there was something on my eye. I went to my PCP and he could find nothing. On Saturday I went to the doc-in-the-box, and he found nothing after a pretty thorough exam. Turns out he recognized me from MCV, he's on the rehab team there and had evaluated me twice - both times feeling I was too strong and growing stronger too quickly to justify rehab services. Even though some of the other docs didn't fully agree, he feels pretty well justified at this point. Anyhow, he thinks it may well be phantom pain on the nerve I am experiencing and there is not much that can be done other than to take good care of my eye and not wait to go see a doc if I think there is something wrong.
After reading the Eye Care forum Saturday afternoon, I asked my wife to pick up some drops without preservatives, and 48 hours later, there seems to be some improvement. The burning is certainly lessened. I have set up an appointment with neuro-ophthalmologist for evaluation and just to ensure I am doing the right things with my eye care.
My voice is improved, but still week. I have my first speech therapy visit on Friday and a follow-up Monday with the ENT that did the vocal cord injections. I can swallow liquids well enough, but certain foods, primarily because of the incredibly dry mouth, remain out of reach, and swallowing still requires focus. My jaw is so stiff and weak that eating takes a very long time with most foods. Which is good...it is forcing me to change my eating habits. It is a shame thought that that I can taste so very little.B But shucks, I can't complain too much...I've lost 30 lbs since surgery and I think can lose still more without slowing my recovery.
Most days I do pretty darn well. I just did my mile walk for the day (it is an easy day). I cooked for myself this morning, and I get by without too much help or interference each day. I do get concerned, maybe scared, about my progress, because I just don't know how long this will take to find a new normal. To top it off, I really don't want to complain, vent or whine since an awful lot of people went to serious efforts to give me a new shot at life....it would seem very rude to gripe about having to do my part.
Today is a good day to live. No matter how it goes, I would hate to miss it. ;-)
Tod
