Here We Go Again

As most of you know, my right heel has been giving me fits. Well, it looks like it's time to start remodeling again. Soon we'll be talking to Dr. D. about going back in to take the metal out of my feet.

He says it will be 2 outpatient surgeries if we can get the pain meds figured out. Each foot should only take about 45 minutes and will "simply" be an incision where he did it before, back out the screws, and remove the plates. Then I go home and keep off the foot and take pain meds for 10-14 days. Then we get the one foot strengthened back up and go back to do the other.

On the other hand, if we can't get the pain meds thing figured out then I'm going back into Brackenridge for a few days.

It all sounds very simple and straightforward, but after the pain I experienced last time, I'm terrified of going back in. I know it isn't going to be nearly as involved and difficult as before, but I never want to even risk feeling that kind of pain again and I never want to see the inside of Brack again.

On a completely different subject, we've been trying some stuff one of my docs suggested to get me to sleep.

First, I was told to fight sleep. The idea is to wear down the brain and essentially reset it. OK. I tried it. After 2 days and nights of watching bad movies and infomercials I decided that wasn't working.

Next, it was suggested to try a CD with special music and subliminal messages. The first night I listened t the whole CD, then stayed up til 3 or 4. The next couple of nights I put the CD on continuous repeat thinking I just needed more time with it. The 3rd or 4th time into it I got so irritated at it a shut it off and got to sleep about 4 or 5. I tried it another night with the same results and gave up on it..

Finaly, it was suggested I go back on Klonopin, an anti-anxiety drug. I had taken it in the hospital and for a while after I got home. So I got a new script and gave it a shot. I've been getting 7 to 8 hrs of sleep a night since taking it! So I guess Klonopin is my new sleep buddy for the foreseeable future!

I'm still gonna go see a sleep specialist and see if they have any other answers or thoughts, but at least I'm getting some sleep and my concentration and energy levels are picking back up.

So now, it's mainly a matter of dealing with the stuff in my feet so I can get back to walking better and getting back on track on the general rehab. Well, that and convincing the insurance company that I still need rehab. They seem to think I'm all better now (if though I can barely walk, can't drive, can't negotiate stairs, etc., etc.)and they don't want to pay on it any more. So we've racked up about 2 months of PT sessions that they don't want to cover. Gotta love insurance desk docs deciding your healthcare needs!

'Till next time....

Be well!