Sunday, January 30, 2011

Update

Just a quick update to say that I'm feeling stronger. Last week I was able to participate in the activities that were part of my Monday thru Friday life before going to Brooklyn. It felt nice to visit with the folks who I hadn't seen for many weeks and get the benefit of the activities (like attending a yoga class as a student for example).

My energy let me do more activities than in the previous few weeks but with strictly defined limitations. I had to rest between projects (about every two hours I'd say) and for tougher activities like teaching a gentle yoga class the resting was more intense. I fell into a dreaming sleep during a couple naps last week---not my usual style. All-in-all my batteries feel close to being fully recharged!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Gentle Healing Yoga

I taught my first class since returning from Brooklyn and I realized how appropriately it was named. Yesterday it was gentle (I stayed in a chair and instructed using words), healing (brought me back to the community that gives and receives for healing whether teacher or student), and yoga (poses of course but emphasis on the breathing practices and meditation). This is a class that I volunteer teach (all donations are given back to the studio for letting us use the space) and yesterday it was clear that I benefitted as much as the students from our time together.

Recovery is still slow but continues in a positive direction. As for benefits of the CCSVI procedure, at most I'll say that my energy surprisingly holds for longer periods of time than I expect given my situation. I'm not dancing around the house between naps but I'm fairly functional and vertical! Sadly though I'm not going right back to some of the activities that I enjoyed pre-Brooklyn and I miss the kids, adults and swimming pools that I haven't seen since my return last week. I must be patient---oh yea, I am a patient. Now that's confusing me so I better sign off and take a nap. :)

Friday, January 14, 2011

Half Hour

So far today I've left the house for a half hour to help out a neighbor. The project I helped with did not require anything more than witnessing the signing of some legal documents. Oh, and signing my name that I witnessed the event. I handled it excellently.

It's really nice to have a warm, sunny day for recuperating today. Just seeing sunshine and hearing the stream in my backyard helps boost my morale. I keep reminding myself that it may take very long to see any results so I'm doing my best to keep a positive attitude and appreciate every little blade of grass that I pass by.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

To the Mailbox

Just to give you an idea of the speed (or lack thereof) of my recovery, today I was able to leave my house after about 48 hours of being indoors. My grand adventure was to go up to the mailbox at street level, retrieve the mail and come back.

I managed very well even in a pair of wading boots and without a cane! But that was the extent of my interaction with the world outside and my body was happy to go back to resting on the couch.

Other people who have undergone a procedure similar to mine have said that it took them quite some time to bounce back. So I'm not rushing to do more than what seems reasonable. I learned the hard way when I was first diagnosed in 1988 that if I try to get up and party again before my body is ready, I end up having a relapse and it takes even longer. Patience, patience, patience.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Resting Still

It seems like all I've done since the CCSVI procedure last Friday has been to enact different variations on ways to rest. My body is taking it's own sweet time to bounce back from what was a minimally invasive procedure and I'm not rushing the process whatsoever. In my mind I figure the best thing I can do right now is allow the healing journey to happen and not get in its way. Encouraging it along is permitted however!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

CCSVI Procedure #2

I had my procedure with Dr. Sclafani last Friday and it went well. I don't feel any benefits right now but it may take some time for symptom relief to happen. I had venoplasty done on my left internal jugular and azygos veins. The jugular presented some challenges to Dr. S. that he had not encountered before! He may use my case a learning case on his TIMS thread.

At the moment I'm tired most of the time and rest a lot to recuperate from the 3 hour procedure. I'll update more when I've got a bit more energy and eloquence.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Going to Brooklyn

I'm due to have a retreatment for CCSVI on Friday in Brooklyn! I'm not sure what to expect but I feel really good about the doctor doing the procedure: Dr. Salvatore Sclafani. Perhaps Dr. Sclafani will use larger balloons and treat both jugulars and azygous veins---I'm not exactly sure but that's what has been discussed. More will be revealed.