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soul’s year of recovery

soulSenior Contributor07 Jan 2018, 10:45 pm AEDT

soul’s year of recovery

Hi - many of you on the forums know me. Thought it might be time to start a new thread.

2017 was an especially awful year for me. I escaped an extremely violent and abusive relationship fleeing the country where I was living and returning to Australia. My mother passed away and I was ostracised from my family. And lastly, just when I thought I was getting my act together and was on holiday, I sustained an injury from an accident which has left me somewhat incapacitated.

I have found a lot of support here and will continue to lean on those who I have come to know as friends. So come along with me as I try to make this year an improvement on last @Faith-and-Hope @Former-Member @Shaz51 @Former-Member @utopia @Bunniekins @Former-Member @Determined @outlander @CheerBear @Maggie @TAB @Sans911 @Former-Member @Former-Member @frog @Former-Member @Bimby2 @Appleblossom and anyone else who has followed my story.

When the clock struck 12 on New Year’s Eve, I made a few resolutions and goals in various areas of my life for the coming year. One thing I wanted to do was to regain was my physical fitness. I had been feeling so strong and well before my accident. I had been walking/jogging for at least 10kms each day and going to yoga sessions seven times a week. After my shattered shoulder and nerve damage through my arm, Yoga is out and I was fortunately able to put my membership on hold. I started walking again this past week and can manage 2kms. My arm is still in a sling and feels as heavy as lead and I can’t manage walking the dog yet. I am trying to be as independent as I can be and have seen progress. At least I can shower myself now. I miss being able to do the things I used to - like driving and even hanging out the washing.

Today was my Mum’s birthday so that was really hard. The kids and I went to the park where her ashes were scattered - the rose bush sporting a single feeble looking bloom. Afterwards, we had lunch together so that was nice.

I’ve had a break from medical stuff over the Christmas New Year period but the appointments start back tomorrow with an EMG where they will put electrodes on me and give me electric shocks to assess the nerve damage. Not really my idea of fun.

Anyway - onwards and upwards. That’s the plan in any case.

305 replies

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In response to: soul’s year of recovery

Bimby2Senior Contributor09 Jan 2018, 11:24 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Good evening @Bunniekins - hope your day has gone well. Bimby2

In response to: soul’s year of recovery

Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor10 Jan 2018, 12:36 am AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Thinking of you too @soul ..... 💜

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

MaggieSenior Contributor10 Jan 2018, 4:47 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Hope things are ok for you @soul.

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

Unknown userMember10 Jan 2018, 8:28 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Hi @soul

Hoping all has gone well with your tests today and you are doing okay. Thinking of you 🌹

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

soulSenior Contributor10 Jan 2018, 9:16 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Mixed news at my three appointments yesterday. I had some xrays taken and the doctor was pleased with how the fracture was healing. I can wean myself off the sling now. It feel funny without it and it gets tiring.

Next I had a session with the occupational therapist and was given some more exercises to do.

After that, I went back to the neurologist. I had been there the previous day but he needed more time to complete his assessment so I was asked to return. He has diagnosed me with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. The nerve damage in my shoulder region caused my hand to be also severely affected. This means that I have a lot of pain and my hand is swollen, feels hot, the joints are stiff, the skin is discoloured and mottled and is very sensitive to any stimuli. My brain is telling me that my hand hurts when it shouldn't really be.

Unfortunately there is no quick and easy cure. I was given some pain medication to take but it has made me feel so tired, dizzy and wobbly today. Not sure if I should persevere or put up with the pain.

I will continue with my physio and occupational therapy session and hope for improvement. I'm on a bit of a downer. Have read lots about it and watched videos and it's all a bit frightening.

In response to: soul’s year of recovery

DeterminedSenior Contributor10 Jan 2018, 9:19 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Sorry to hear not all news was completly poaitive @soul
Trust there can be some improvement for you.
You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

Unknown userMember10 Jan 2018, 9:33 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Hi @soul......
I hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread as I don't really know you that well, and I don't really know your story - but having severely broken my arm and sustained severe nerve damage in it when I was 9 - I feel your pain.
I remember how hard everything was. I didn't get pain, I was just numb/lost all movement in my hand. But going through something like this can be really trying and I found most people didn't really understand how difficult it could be to operate with only 1 functioning arm/hand and how much time I spent at doctors/physio appointments (every day as a matter of fact!)

But I also wanted to tell you that this stuff does eventually heal, and though physio sucks lots it helps heaps. I've gained full and complete mobility and probably 80% strength back. So whilst it's going to suck a lot for a while, it will get lots better over the coming weeks and months. I promise!
I'd love to hear how it's coming along, and if you ever need to vent about it - feel totally free to tag me.

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

Unknown userMember10 Jan 2018, 9:46 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Hi @soul

So sorry to read that you are in pain. My husband had pain in his hand after having shoulder surgery - he did find relief after having physio for some 6 months as well as doing instructed exercises. He also cannot tolerate pain medicine well - I applied heat packs on the area of pain and this seemed to help him. I do hope you find reprieve from your pain soon and a speedy recovery x

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

soulSenior Contributor10 Jan 2018, 9:58 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Thanks for the like @TheVorticon - no yoga for me for a while.

Thanks also @Determined for your prayers.

@Former-Member - no problems in jumping in. Your story and @Former-Member 's gives me hope. It's really hard after being so fit and healthy and capable.

In response to: soul’s year of recovery

utopiaSenior Contributor10 Jan 2018, 11:24 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

@soul - my mum also has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Hers affects her left leg. Then when she broke her right shoulder - you guessed it - she also developed it in the right arm. The areas are super sensitive and the skin behaves different to areas around it.
There is more hope through research and specialist now on reducing the effects on this. And the sooner it is diagnosed (like you have been) - the better the prognosis.
I'm glad to hear the break has healed so well that you can now stop using the sling.

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