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StephN · 02-22-2013, 04:04 PM

Dear Denise -
Glad to have an update from you that is mostly full of promise. Just sorry to hear that they have you back on the "dreaded decadron" again. Hopefully you can wean off very soon, and not get to the point of the more serious side effects just when you are trying to recover from your back and leg problems.

Speaking of your leg. You have exactly what I have as a result of my blown disk. I am now over 2 months into my physical therapy (twice a week) and am just this week able to tolerate any kind of soft tissue work around my knee (which I badly needed for stiff connective tissues). My pain extended down my inside shin, but did not get into my ankle, so my knee is now the main focus besides my thigh and hamstring which are still fairly tight even with the targeted exercises.

Are you still needing a walker? I used one for over a month after my surgery, mostly due to continued pain in my leg. Then graduated to the cane, but went right to PT to make sure I was using it correctly.

As for mobility, this is pretty good now, and strength is getting better all the time. It is my flexibility that needs further work.

You now are free to get on board with the best PT group you can find, have time to do your exercises and nerve releases, as well as core work. By summer you will be in great shape!

You are also free to read some good books, go through your house room by room, and have more quality time with hubby, boys and friends. Just give yourself permission to do those things, and commit to turning a page in your life.

All the best to you!

02-22-2013, 04:04 PM	#9
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: Denise, how is recovery progressing? Dear Denise - Glad to have an update from you that is mostly full of promise. Just sorry to hear that they have you back on the "dreaded decadron" again. Hopefully you can wean off very soon, and not get to the point of the more serious side effects just when you are trying to recover from your back and leg problems. Speaking of your leg. You have exactly what I have as a result of my blown disk. I am now over 2 months into my physical therapy (twice a week) and am just this week able to tolerate any kind of soft tissue work around my knee (which I badly needed for stiff connective tissues). My pain extended down my inside shin, but did not get into my ankle, so my knee is now the main focus besides my thigh and hamstring which are still fairly tight even with the targeted exercises. Are you still needing a walker? I used one for over a month after my surgery, mostly due to continued pain in my leg. Then graduated to the cane, but went right to PT to make sure I was using it correctly. As for mobility, this is pretty good now, and strength is getting better all the time. It is my flexibility that needs further work. You now are free to get on board with the best PT group you can find, have time to do your exercises and nerve releases, as well as core work. By summer you will be in great shape! You are also free to read some good books, go through your house room by room, and have more quality time with hubby, boys and friends. Just give yourself permission to do those things, and commit to turning a page in your life. All the best to you! __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.