| Author | Message | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 789 Registered: 7-2004 |
To all of my dear friends at FAF, I had hoped to be able to meet you face-to-face when everyone meets next February. Now it looks like I "may" need to put those plans on hold. Yesterday I saw my podiatrist and we went over the results of a recent MRI. For several years I have been aware that in certain parts of my right foot the cartilege had been worn or eroded away and that I was walking Bone-on-Bone. It now appears that the bones are crumbling due to arthritis. I will need to undergo an allograf to repair that portion of my foot. Allograf is a medical term meaning tissue donated by someone other than yourself, but still within the same species. When bones are transplanted they are sterilized to remove the "living tissues" or any DNA, leaving behind the strong tissues for the receiving body to build on. All that means is that I won't have to take anti-rejection medication after the graft is done. Now I'm on a tissue donor receiving list, and will have to wait for someone who is a willing tissue donor to die whose ankle structures closely resemble mine, only healthier. My doctor says it usually takes around three months. There are three other people on the waiting list, all hoping to receive bone tissue for the right ankle. Diana already knows this because I emailed her about it last night. I'm asking for your prayers that a proper fit will be found for me, and that means that the three others ahead of me will be provided for before me. Once the proper tissue becomes available the recipient must be ready for surgery within a brief window of time, so I'm going to have to stick close to home until the graft is done. I've had several foot and ankle surgeries in the past and every one of them has had the same recovery criteria -- non-weight-bearing for a period of time, casting of the effected foot for a minimum of 4 weeks (I think the doctor said 6 weeks for this one), physicial therapy, and at least a year of healing before one can be sure of the outcome. After my last surgery I promised myself that I'd never go through that again, yet here I am preparing to wear another rock sock. It is the casting and the clunky boot that drive me to distraction because they throw you off balance and misalign all of the other joints all the way up to your back, where I have a compressed disc, and that gets very unhappy every time. I like to think of myself as a patient person, but given the number of times I've been through these types of procedures (casts, not grafts) God must be really knocking those rough spots off my character. Thank you for your prayers, and I just want to say that I hope all of you will share your experiences of getting together so that the rest of us can enjoy you vicariously. Belva | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2077 Registered: 3-2004  |
Belva, As I wrote you last night, I am praying for you and the ones ahead of you. You and the others are in God's hands right now. Remember, all things work together for good to them who Love God. Love, Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3033 Registered: 12-2003  |
Dear Belva, I am so sorry. I will certainly be praying for youófor the right recipient to come at the right time, and especially for a good outcome and speedy recovery. I will pray that you will not suffer greatly. We will miss meeting you, but you are in our hearts. Keep us posted. Love, Colleen | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 124 Registered: 10-2005 |
Belva, I will pray for you during these difficult times. I am no stranger to doctor offices, arthritis and going under the knife. You are not alone. I would love to go in February, but I still have small children who need me at home. I appreciate this forum though and am glad to be able to post here. Lynne |
