In a few days, I'll have surgery #2. This one is focusing on the backs of my thighs. For lots of reasons, that doesn't sound fun to me. For one, I'll apparently need general anesthesia, which is just all kinds of nope. For another, well, I have to sit once in a while, you know?
Since the first surgery, I've had so many improvements, though. I've still got some minor discomfort (mostly feeling stiff and sore if I've been immobile too long), but it's nothing too bad. My joints are better aligned. I think the biggest improvement, though, is how they FEEL. It no longer feels like I'm trudging through concrete with every step I take.
It's hard to explain that to someone who hasn't experienced it. But when you walk through thick, sticky mud or concrete, a little bit gets stuck on your shoes each time. So you end up walking with more and more and more accumulated on the bottom of your feet. It gets harder to move. You have to get out of the mud and discard your shoes, or you'll soon not be able to walk anymore.
That's how lipedema feels. The first walk around the 1/4-mile track isn't too bad. The second lap is getting tough, and I've slowed down because my legs are so heavy. By the third lap, I'm about tapped out, and I haven't even gone a mile yet!
Now I can go a full mile without that concrete feeling, and my legs don't really all that heavy at all. I AM still weak and having to build up strength because for the last couple years, I've been more and more sedentary as I lost more and more mobility. But now I CAN build my strength up because I can physically walk again, and I can do it comfortably and, dare I say, easily.
I am really not looking forward to this second surgery, but I am looking forward to recovering from it. I am looking forward to my next round of improvements because now that I've done it once, I am confident that I will see them. Let's get this done. I have a life to live!
Since the first surgery, I've had so many improvements, though. I've still got some minor discomfort (mostly feeling stiff and sore if I've been immobile too long), but it's nothing too bad. My joints are better aligned. I think the biggest improvement, though, is how they FEEL. It no longer feels like I'm trudging through concrete with every step I take.
It's hard to explain that to someone who hasn't experienced it. But when you walk through thick, sticky mud or concrete, a little bit gets stuck on your shoes each time. So you end up walking with more and more and more accumulated on the bottom of your feet. It gets harder to move. You have to get out of the mud and discard your shoes, or you'll soon not be able to walk anymore.
That's how lipedema feels. The first walk around the 1/4-mile track isn't too bad. The second lap is getting tough, and I've slowed down because my legs are so heavy. By the third lap, I'm about tapped out, and I haven't even gone a mile yet!
Now I can go a full mile without that concrete feeling, and my legs don't really all that heavy at all. I AM still weak and having to build up strength because for the last couple years, I've been more and more sedentary as I lost more and more mobility. But now I CAN build my strength up because I can physically walk again, and I can do it comfortably and, dare I say, easily.
I am really not looking forward to this second surgery, but I am looking forward to recovering from it. I am looking forward to my next round of improvements because now that I've done it once, I am confident that I will see them. Let's get this done. I have a life to live!
