lac@alice.UUCP (Linda Clark) (08/13/85)
Hi guys! It's time for update #1 from the bionic woman. But first I want to say thanks to all of you who sent mail in response to my first posting. It was such an encouragement to hear from so many of you. I tried to respond personally to each message, but ran out of time. My surgery, which was last Wed. (8/7) went very smoothly. They put me to sleep around 8am and I was awake in recovery by 9:20 (and back in my room and on the phone at 11:30!). I basically dozed the rest of the day, but got up and dressed on Thursday and Friday. I was sore and stiff for a few days from the staples in my back and side, but it's better now. (The staples come out next Friday.) On Thursday morning the stimulator was turned on for the first time. I felt a 'tingling' (like pins and needles) in my arms - it's very weird but not painful. Actually the setting is adjusted so that I don't feel it all the time, but at least they knew it was working. The wire in my neck is quite sensitive to movement such as leaning forward or bending my neck. Since it isn't necessary for me to feel the tingling all the time for it to work I keep it set so that when I tilt my head a little I can feel it. That way every once in a while I can easily reassure myself everything's still in place. It's great if you're a little on the paranoid side like me. (On Wed I was afraid to move my head for fear of yanking on the wire. I've since been assured that I can pretty much bend myself into a pretzel and not dislodge it. I don't think I'll try it...) So far no major changes have occurred, but we have seen a few little things. On the first day we noticed that the circulation to my feet was improved (they weren't as blue as usual) and my toes weren't curled as much. Also, my right hand, which is a little tight and I am unable to open all the way, seems to be relaxing a bit and I can open a little bit further. I'm still in 'testing' mode, each day I try a different setting of the four electrodes by changes switches in the transmitter worn at my waist. Each electrode has a +,-, and off position, and I was given a form telling me which setting to use each day. There are 18 prescribed settings, and after I've gone through them I repeat the 5 or 6 best ones for two days each. Then I try different frequency settings in an effort to find which one seems best for me. At that point I will probably start physical therapy. So, nothing exciting yet, but things are going very well. I was able to come home on Saturday (for some real food!!) and am gradually increasing my schedule. I'm going back to work next Monday, but even now I feel great - it's hard to believe it's not even a week since the operation. I will keep plugging away and posting updates as things progress. If I didn't explain things well or if you have questions please let me know. Thank you all for your interest!! Linda Clark alice!lac