What's been going on?

I've been doing well as of late.  I've not taken much time to write here or anywhere else for that matter.  We did take our trip to London and I did amazingly well!  I surprised myself with how well I did.  My left ankle and foot swelled some, but not bad.  I didn't have any pain and I was able to keep up with the family walking all over London; up and down stairs at the tube stations and everything!

I had zero bladder or bowel issues during the whole trip!  I cannot express just how very excited I was about that!

I don't think I have gained anymore sensation.  I passed the one year mark on May 18th. My original neurologist that did my surgery told me that don't despair that it can take up to two years.  After two years, you got what ya got!  I look back and realize just how far I have come.  I still get depressed sometimes when I think about all that I can't do, but then I have to look at what I can do!  I've started back to school and am going to become a Lactation Counselor and hopefully, eventually a Consultant.  I can walk.  I still have my sweet family.  It could be worse and I have to remind myself of that.

I think I will update here more often with my symptoms when they creep up.  Like this morning I got out of bed and woke up one kid.  I went back to sleep for an hour and then got up to wake up the other kid.  I did not go to the bathroom first and I started leaking urine!  Ugh.  I have to remind myself to go as soon as I get up in the morning.  I don't always have the sensation to pee.  Sometimes I do, but usually I just go because it's been like 3 or 4 hours and I know that I should.  I still leak if I sneeze hard or cough.  Not every-time I sneeze, but any at all is distressing.  As for my bowels I haven't had any accidents with that in a very long time.  I usually just have the problem of it not wanting to come out easily.

Today my left foot feels less thick, but I'm getting the shooting electrical pains on the bottom and left side of my foot.  As far as I can tell there is no reason for these episodes, they just happen.  Those nerves just do what they want, when they want.

I've noticed that my left calf is smaller than my right, by a lot.  I guess with my limp I use my right one more than my left.  My left foot likes to turn on it's side too. My gait is all off.  I've been considering going to my doctor and see if I can get a referral to physical therapy and see if they can help me out with strengthening this left leg. But then I think I don't want to.  I hate having to have an appointment to go do stuff all the time.  I'll think about it and then decide.

I've recently been reading a great new blog from a guy named Mark that is doing a fantastic job explaining what Cauda Equina is and he's funny to boot!  He found me and left me a message.  I am so glad that he did.  You should check him out here.

I promise to make time to write here about how I'm doing more often.