Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Oh so THAT'S what "bilateral" means!

Well, I'm nearly 5 months post-op and the balance (in my pelvis) has really shifted. The other day my right leg popped and I said "That's my good leg!" and my dad said "Which one's the 'good' one now?" and I realized, Hey! I actually DO have a good leg now, and it's my LEFT one! Some continued stiffness and weakness aside, LPAO was definitely a success and I'm continually amazed at the things that don't hurt. Conversely, I've finally come to a full acceptance of the inevitability of an RPAO, as the stronger my left gets the more the weaknesses of the right are apparent. I've also made some excellent strides both in yoga and in my chiropractic work, such that my upper back and left shoulder are better than ever. Of course, with that improved alignment comes the evidence of MISalignment in my right side - LE sigh!

It's been a funny full-circle journey to be experiencing the initial pangs of dysplasia all over again on the opposite (and heretofore almost entirely asymptomatic) side. At least I know what to do for the pain this time around! The knowing-what-to-expect is a blessing and a curse these days, as I consider an RPAO in a mere 5 months time. It's no good to start doing the math of 6 more months til my left side's functioning at full capacity and another year after that til the right is. I try my best not to focus on the limitations I have now, which will only get worse (for several months) before they get better, but that little grumpy gremlin's still lurking in the back of my mind most days. Of course, most days I'm also thinking pretty regularly "Oh how SPLENDID it is to WALK!!!" so it sort of evens out somehow. :) Mostly what I'm dreading at this point is starting the insurance dance all over again - I feel so much like the petulant child dragging her heels and whining "But I don't WANNNAAAAAA!" Lousy growing up. ;)