I was looking forward to today for over a week now! The stitches were coming out of my foot! Finally, I’d be able to walk flat-footed again. My toes hurt from all the tip toeing around! I got to my appointment a few minutes early and was taken in without even having to wait even though the waiting room was filled with other patients. The nurse took a look at the sutures and decided the doctor needed to take a look before she could take them out. I had a feeling this would happen. They weren’t ready to come out. Eight more days of stitches and hobbling around. The worst part is that they still hurt. My foot aches.
I feel guilty even complaining about it. After what I have seen Zach go through this summer and the rehab my dad has been going through, a few weeks of discomfort should not be making me so disappointed. But it is. I have so much to do to get ready for the beginning of the school year. I figured my timing was perfect. I scheduled the procedure for right after camp ended figuring I’d be up and at it just in time for school to begin.
The issue could be that I am doing too much. I don’t really have a choice though. It could also be that Neurofibromas are so unpredictable. They are basically benign tumors that attach to the nervous system. Of course there is a much more complex definition of what they are, but that is the basic explanation. Because of them being a bundle of nerves, they don’t all heal the same way. A perfect example of this happened when I was twenty-one. I had my wisdom teeth extracted and a nerve that was nicked during the procedure caused a part of my chin to be numb for years. Not completely numb, and no one could tell by looking at me, but Dave and I had a secret little signal for him to let me know when I had food dripping from my mouth since I couldn’t feel it!! I guess I knew even then he was a keeper 🙂
So with my foot, there is still some pain. Possibly because it is just in a place where I need to be standing on all of the time. Maybe because the nerves are affected differently. Whatever the reason, it is another week or so until we see how it heals. The doctor wants me to begin to try to put more pressure while standing on it so I will try. As for work, I will keep doing what I need to do to get my room ready. The kids arrive on Thursday. If all goes well, I will get my stitches out after school that day. That would mean only one day hobbling around with students there and by then, maybe my foot will be feeling well enough for me to wear a real shoe!
Tagged: don't want to complain, healing, neurofibroma, Neurofibromatosis, rehab, stitches really hurt, takes time to heal
A Project for Kindness 
Did you get your stitches out? How are you feeling?
No 😦 Was so bummed about it. Next Thursday. These fibromas don’t heal the same way as a typical wound so they are unpredictable. They’re still a bit sore too so I know he made the right choice. It was just discouraging. Thanks for asking.
Man. 😦 I am sorry about that. How are you managing at school? Are you on crutches still? This has got to be tough.
You mentioned wanting to keep in contact, I commented back, and can’t find the comment now. I would love to share stories of NF. Since coming across your blog I have started looking for info on NF and charities and such. I don’t know if you have done this, I would live to share the few things I have found with you if you are interested. Did you know there is an NF walk?!
Having trouble replying directly to your other comments. Let me know if they appear in the comment section, even though they aren’t directly under your comment. Not sure why it wasn’t giving me that option!!
Actually, no crutches. In fact, the doctor wants me walking on it more. Flat footed, right where the stitches are. I am trying and actually it is getting better every day. Thank goodness! Nos rue where that comment went that you said you shared! I’d love to hear more about NF. If you add them to the NF pages, I am sure that would be most helpful. I try to share the blogs when I write them about NF with NF groups if I can. Where is the NF walk??? I did not know about it!!!
I will try to add them to the NF pages. I am not really too familiar with word press. I have an account, only because I had to have it for school and I never canceled it.
The NF walks are all over! If I can figure out how to share on the NF pages I’ll post that info as well. I also found some pretty hysterical shirts that only people with NF, or those familiar with it would “get”.
My email is stacerstj@yahoo.com. This might be an easier way of communicating back and forth. Then I can answer all the questions you asked about what I was having removed and such.
That’s awesome that you are without crutches! I hope you are back to 100% soon.