Wow! I usually try to post once a week, but last week was just plain busy that I didn't get a chance to. So, to update everyone on what's going on, here's what happened last week:On Monday, January 30th, I had my third stellate ganglion block. When I arrived at the CPC, excitement was running through my veins! My doctors told me they were going to try a new approach with this block (and the funny thing is, my pain dr. didn't tell me till after the procedure that he never did it this way before on anyone else! He made this up himself, and I was their guinea [...]
THIS IS MY STORY . . .
I love to run. :) Yes, I can't run long distances yet... But whether it's running to the mailbox at the end of our driveway, running from a restaurant to our parked car, running up our long flight of stairs two steps at a time, or running to our couch to read my Bible or a good book, it fills me with PLEASURE! :) You may think, "What's so fun about running a little?" Well, it's because I was on crutches for 6+ months last year! Before I had my SCS implanted, I went through grueling months of physical therapy, "learning" how to walk [...]
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop failsand the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the penand no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord,I will be joyful in God my Savior.The Sovereign Lord is my strength.~Habakkuk 3:17-19As I reflected on Habakkuk's words, I thought about how they relate to me. Not in the sense of there being no grapes on the vines or sheep in the pen, but more like the following ways:Though it's almost been a year since I was diagnosed with CRPS in my footand I'm [...]
Many people ask me what I do at OHSU occupational hand therapy, so I will tell you here. :) Occupational therapists are very similar to physical therapists, but they also focus on fine-motor skills and desensitization. Here are some examples:Usually at the beginning of my treatment appointment, I stick my affected left arm in this machine that blows out warm air and dried, ground corn husks as a way of desensitizing my nervous system. Pretty cool. :)I'm a violinist, but I haven't been able to play for two months now. So, one time, my OT spread thera-putty on this [...]
Update: This past Friday, I had my second stellate ganglion block at the OHSU CPC. And to my disappointment, the procedure supposedly didn't "block" again. My doctor thought maybe the stellate ganglion nerve bundle is lower than normal which is why they can't get effective blocks... But here's some good news! :) I actually had a delayed reaction to it! On Sunday, I noticed that my left hand, normally very cold, was really warm. I even had sweat on my fingertips! Also, the numbness and extreme sensitivity wasn't as bad! So it looks like I [...]
As I write my first post on the last day of 2011, I reflect on this past year and how it changed my life. It's been a wild ride of a journey! Before I go into writing about 2011, you should first know a little about my childhood. I was born with two small relatively minor birth defects, a hemangioma (a benign blood tumor) in the bottom of my right foot and a peri-auricular sinus near my ear. When I was 10 years old, my right peri-auricular sinus became infected, so it had to be repaired at Emanuel Children's Hospital. It was a quick fix, and thankfully, I haven't had any problems [...]
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