A hundred years ago, during my youth group days, we had a puppet ministry. We would "entertain" during VBS, and even traveled to different churches to help with their VBSs. We had some very talented "script writers". I remember (and relate to) one script that was based on the story of the 10 Lepers. I don't remember the entire script, but at one point, one of the lepers realizes his legs had been healed and he shouts, "I've got legs; I've got legs". He asks one of his fellow lepers where his legs were, to which leper #2 replied, "I must have left them in my other suit". (Remember, this script was exagerated to entertain children!)
This is how I have felt! For years, I couldn't understand where these legs I have came from. I haven't always had these legs. So for years, it felt like I must have left my "good legs" in my other suit. And, come Thursday, I'll be able to shout "I've got legs; I've got legs"!!
Thank you God!
Friday, February 3, 2012
As So It Continues.....
Well, I start a new phase of my journey on Monday. I will be having surgery to remove all the lymphedema tissue that hangs between my legs along with my belly fat. When all this is finished, I will have normal legs and be able to do things I haven't been able to do in 15-20 years.
It really amazes me! To think that for all these years, I thought I was just fat! I thought there was nothing I could do to help with my legs but diet and exercise. But, no matter how much of that I did, my legs never got "thinner". I would tell people it felt like I had a ham tied to each leg and if I got to moving too quickly, they would start swinging and throw off my balance!!! Again, I'm thinking this is all me being fat!
It wasn't until June of this year that I first heard the word "lymphedema". This is a condition of the lymph system that prevents your body for eliminating fluid, in my case, from my legs. I learned that no matter how much exercise I did, my legs would not get thinner because of this condition. And, because I have had this for at least 15 years, my case was horribly out of control. I've been working with doctors and nurses at a wound clinic to heal a diabetic ulcer. They have helped me to understand my condition but really had no idea what to do about it. The doctors told me that surgery would be very risky because it would involve the lymph system. One even told me that they had never seen a successful result from lymphedema surgery but had seen many that had gone bad. One nurse and one doctor, however, felt that if any place could provide the help I needed, it would be with the doctors at UT Southwestern. And they were right!
I met with Dr. Trussler on January 6 to talk about getting a "skin flap" for my wound. This is where they take some skin and "flap over" the wound to seal it. If it took, it would allow my wound to heal. After 6 months of working with wound care, hyperbaric treatments, and wearing a wound vac, I was ready to "get this over with". My underlying reason for meeting with Dr. T was to see if he could help me with my lymphedema. Fingers crossed and prayers said, I met with Dr. T. He says, "We could do a skin flap but that wouldn't solve the problem. Your problem is the excessive lymphedema tissue and until we remove that, you will continue to have problems with ulcers and wounds." What? Remove? Do you mean surgery? But, I thought it was so risky. "Oh no", he says, "we do it all the time." WHAT??? You do this all the time! You mean, there is a surgical solution to this problem. "Yes. And even though lymphedema is a chronic condition (meaning I will always have it), once we remove the excess tissue, it will be manageable." Eureka!!!! Hope at last!!!
Sooooo, Monday, I enter the hospital to prepare for this surgery. I will be in bed, on IV antibiotics, and with my legs elevated to remove as much liquid as possible for 3 days. Then on Thursday, the magic happens!! And, thanks and glory be to God, I will have "new" legs!!!
It really amazes me! To think that for all these years, I thought I was just fat! I thought there was nothing I could do to help with my legs but diet and exercise. But, no matter how much of that I did, my legs never got "thinner". I would tell people it felt like I had a ham tied to each leg and if I got to moving too quickly, they would start swinging and throw off my balance!!! Again, I'm thinking this is all me being fat!
It wasn't until June of this year that I first heard the word "lymphedema". This is a condition of the lymph system that prevents your body for eliminating fluid, in my case, from my legs. I learned that no matter how much exercise I did, my legs would not get thinner because of this condition. And, because I have had this for at least 15 years, my case was horribly out of control. I've been working with doctors and nurses at a wound clinic to heal a diabetic ulcer. They have helped me to understand my condition but really had no idea what to do about it. The doctors told me that surgery would be very risky because it would involve the lymph system. One even told me that they had never seen a successful result from lymphedema surgery but had seen many that had gone bad. One nurse and one doctor, however, felt that if any place could provide the help I needed, it would be with the doctors at UT Southwestern. And they were right!
I met with Dr. Trussler on January 6 to talk about getting a "skin flap" for my wound. This is where they take some skin and "flap over" the wound to seal it. If it took, it would allow my wound to heal. After 6 months of working with wound care, hyperbaric treatments, and wearing a wound vac, I was ready to "get this over with". My underlying reason for meeting with Dr. T was to see if he could help me with my lymphedema. Fingers crossed and prayers said, I met with Dr. T. He says, "We could do a skin flap but that wouldn't solve the problem. Your problem is the excessive lymphedema tissue and until we remove that, you will continue to have problems with ulcers and wounds." What? Remove? Do you mean surgery? But, I thought it was so risky. "Oh no", he says, "we do it all the time." WHAT??? You do this all the time! You mean, there is a surgical solution to this problem. "Yes. And even though lymphedema is a chronic condition (meaning I will always have it), once we remove the excess tissue, it will be manageable." Eureka!!!! Hope at last!!!
Sooooo, Monday, I enter the hospital to prepare for this surgery. I will be in bed, on IV antibiotics, and with my legs elevated to remove as much liquid as possible for 3 days. Then on Thursday, the magic happens!! And, thanks and glory be to God, I will have "new" legs!!!
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