|
Happy New Year. Just wanted to let you know the last adjustment is working beautifully. I am able to do so much, and my pain breakthrough is less. We flew to Lisbon in late November and spent two days sightseeing. Lisbon is hilly, and I was able to climb a few of them very well. We then set sail for two weeks, ending up in three cities in Brazil - - the final one Rio de Janeiro. In Recife, Brazil the small tour bus for our special group, was not working well, so they switched us to a large one. Our travel agent was thrilled as it allowed us more space. What she did not realize, however, was that the bus couldn't go on the narrow streets to the oldest part of the city. So, we walked up zigzag streets to the top, and then down. Boy, did I give my SCS a workout, but was able to keep up with the group and do well.
I had a scare in Rio. The day we left the ship we were sightseeing on flat ground leaving a park and I tripped over a bulge in the tarmac. I went down hard face-forward. I had to go to a clinic for x-rays and a scan. I lay on the ground and was afraid to move till I knew my wires and batteries had survived the impact. So did my 7 titanium screws and connecting rods! Luckily nothing was broken, but I was a mess. I got on the plane to fly home 11 hours later with a black eye, bandages on my right cheek and side of my nose, bandages on my right hand, wrist and elbow. Both knees took a terrible impact, and are still sore enough that I cannot kneel. I was so lucky that I was not seriously hurt! It made me mad, however, because I had watched my step on all the uneven cobblestone streets, sidewalks, and boarding cable cars and tram railway cars.
I did get a cold at Christmas and called Dr. Dombrowski because I developed a headache and it wouldn't go away. I thought maybe the vibration was interfering with my migraine medicine. He said no and prescribed a few strong pills, but unfortunately they did not work. I had a headache for over two weeks, and ended up with infected sinuses and terrible coughing. Again, my SCS has been a miracle because the coughing hurt my whole trunk and down my legs to my knee. After a month, the coughing is just about gone -- but I had a tough time. It would have been worse if I did not have the SCS because my coughing will wake the dead and often makes people think I am on my way out or are going to pass on the plague or some horrible disease.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know how well things are going. I have had a number of patients over the phone and by email from Michelle, but things have slowed down this month. Please let me know if you ever need a "patient" for any group discussion. I am hoping that I might see a health fair or something in DC, MD or VA that I could participate in or visit and spread the word.
Eileen Finegan
ANS Patient Ambassador
|
