“FEARLESS is not the absense of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. FEARLESS is having fears. FEARLESS is having doubts. Lots of them. FEARLESS is living in spite of those things that scare you to death." - Taylor Swift

Friday, September 26, 2014

Cryoablation Recovery

I had a follow-up doctors appointment at Boston Children's Hospital the other day to make sure that the recovery was going well and to sort out any complications that were questionable. To my surprise, Dr. Shaikh was very happy about the cryoablation results so far! I wasn't so optimistic going into the appointment because I had so many unanswered questions and concerns. The frozen masses that were treated are very hard and bruised along the surface of the skin so any pressure at all is extremely painful. However the characteristics and "type" of pain is different than before the surgery for sure. Now the pain feels like a bruising pain with some nerve pain while before it was a sharp and throbbing pain alongside nerve pain. This was exactly what Dr. Shaikh was hoping for. They never tracked down the root cause of the severe migraine I had 4 days after the procedure which is still concerning to everyone. However, my main concern recently was a new type of pain that showed up in a brand new location. UGH!

This new pain that has appeared is at the very bottom of my large scar on my buttock. The area is swollen and it is a stinging, sharp pain that is unfamiliar to me. Normally, I can recognize the type of pain I'm experiencing and have a very educated (and generally accurate) guess of what is happening in my body. This time is different because I have no idea why the pain is present in this new spot that has never gave me problems before. It is beyond frustrating having this unfamiliar, "new" pain so shortly after having a procedure done. I often need to remind myself to still have some hope that it might not be too serious. This "new" pain spot has given me the most pain and the most trouble recovering from the cryoablation and it is the reason why I'm occasionally having to take strong pain medication. I definitely didn't expect it. Dr. Shaikh told me that it can be common in FAVA patients to have new pain appear in other spots and that it may or may not go away. My recovery is expected to be about another month because I'm having some difficulty with weight bearing for long periods of time and with back extension. If the pain is still present in a month's time, then we will look to see what is causing the pain and how to treat it. Otherwise, I'm just hoping that the pain will dissipate and that it was just a spontaneous and temporary pain. One theory Dr. Shaikh has predicted was that when you have a large mass that is extremely painful (aka the one's he just cryoablated), your mind is focused on that really painful spot and your brain doesn't recognize the small pain spots; they go unnoticed until that extremely painful mass is treated. This psychological theory is definitely a possible theory in my opinion but what worries me is that I've never experienced this "type" of pain before. This isn't the type of pain I get when the FAVA mass grows back or acts up. I just want answers!

As for now, I'm still walking with a cane to help my weight bearing for extended periods of time. Occasionally I'll walk without using it but sometimes I surely regret not having it when I need it! I'm also trying to not take any pain medication because I absolutely HATE the "high" I get off the medication and I don't feel like myself. However I will take it if I can't take the pain anymore. So for now I'm trying ice occasionally for the swelling and bengay cream for some relief. Tonight was my first time using it and so far it is helping! If the pain persists after my recovery is over, I'll be switching to essential oils for relief because I've heard some great stories and that they can provide such great relief for those who have a vascular anomaly.

Dr. Shaikh wants me moving around as much as possible and not bed-ridden for this recovery. Bed-ridden is not my style and in the past I often got scolded at by a variety of medical professionals for not "taking it easy" but this time I'm so mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. We experienced a death in the family this week and the services have been not only emotionally draining but physically draining and a 20 hour car ride on top of it didn't help either. Although I'm trying not to rush the recovery and healing process, when I have enough energy I'm eager to start yoga, figure skating, and hiking again. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

It is hard waking up every morning and telling myself that I'm going to get something done when my energy levels are so low. I remind myself daily that you have to get through the rain to see the rainbow and although it may seem like a hurricane, the clouds will break eventually.

-becca




No comments:

Post a Comment