Aug 2 - Lee - update

Lee Update

Hello everyone. I finally had my second follow up visit with my plastic surgeon on Thursday 7/31 to check the progress of the soft tissue flap. It has been six weeks since my last surgery. He said everything is progressing well with the soft tissue and they removed the last of the remaining stitches. The stitches were the dissolving type but they had not fallen out yet so they went ahead and removed them. I was hoping he was going to release me from the constant leg elevation and also release me to be out in the heat so I can start training on the hand cycle I have been loaned. Apparently I was getting a little ahead of myself. He did release me from having my leg elevated constantly, but said I still need to have it up most of the time. Basically I need to keep an eye on any swelling and elevate accordingly. The flap is healing properly but it is still susceptible to damage from swelling and could even be lost as a result of too much swelling. It is nice to be able to use my crutches more and the wheel chair less. He also doesn't want me spending too much time out in the heat. I will have to do any training I want to do inside on stationary equipment or on the hand cycle in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. He did say I can drive but I can only spend fairly short amounts of time behind the wheel unless I can find someplace to prop my leg up other than hanging it out the window. My next appointment is with my orthopedic surgeon on August 26. Hopefully the bones will have started to knit together by then. My next follow up with my plastic surgeon is September 11. Hopefully things will continue to heal. It has been a slow process, but I am making it through OK. Thanks to everyone for your support. When I know more I will let you all know.

Lee