I’m still pumped up on steroids from yesterday’s final treatment.  Last night Dave and I watched the second season of Sherlock, an episode of Slings and Arrows and House.  Then I was up til 1 a.m. reading the new book, Wild, about the woman, Cheryl Strayed, who solo hiked the Pacific Crest Trail.

This morning, I took a 40 minute walk with Dave. The longest walk in six weeks. Rhododendrons are blossoming in all colors and quantities – it’s a glorious morning in the ‘hood.  Even knowing the energy comes from the steroids, it still felt like I’m healing.

And I discovered that my gimpy right leg has gotten better.  When I had surgery  in January, I came out of it with some sort of damaged nerve that shut down the adductor muscle in my upper right thigh.  After the operation, I could not move my right leg from side to side without using my hands.  My leg was a dead weight.

I’ve been walking daily since then.  At first the leg dragged and it took all my concentration to walk.  As I built strength back, my gait got gallopy.  I concentrated on lining my feet up parallel but usually my right foot pointed out at a 45 degree angle.

Sort of slowed me down.  My surgeon said this condition is not abnormal for hysterectomy patients.  “Usually,” he told me, “it corrects itself within the first year.”  Personally, I think it’s because they stuff you into the stirrups for 4 hours and something in your hips “unlocks”, and if they even TOUCH your big nerves, the ones that move all the way down the spine to your toes it contracted into some sort of semi-permanent spasm.

I find that there have often been times when my stories “cover” for my doctor’s insufficient answers.  The Internet allows us, as patients, to commiserate and share stories, and this post-op leg nerve weakness is discussed between women on ALL the hysterectomy forums.

I tried acupuncture treatments, with some relief but without success.  I finally decided I would eventually go into physical therapy if it didn’t come all the way back on its own.  I am a hiker and a walker, and life with a gimpy leg is not part of my future, if I can fix it.

Last week I went to neighborhood yoga with Bonnie.  One of the hip/stretching exercises released something, and my leg was almost completely normal today.

God it felt wonderful!  God, I am grateful!