Craziness

This past week I was at the beach for vacation. I wasn't really ready, physically, (although I think I deserve one at this point) but we made it work as best as possible. I really wish I was able to enjoy myself more. You could not have asked for better weather. I was unable to walk on the sand but was able to lie out in the sun on our friend's deck (with the most perfect view of the ocean--almost felt like I was ON the beach). Here are some beach pictures!

View from deck

View from deck

Everything is a bit crazy at the moment! My right kneecap has officially started subluxating. My back is HORRIBLE. My SI joints don't stay in place and I feel like my spine is collapsing on me. I already had a general timeline for my right shoulder and ankle. Now I have no idea what my surgery schedule is and what to expect. My back and knee are complicating everything--not to mention are very painful.

I head back to Boston in August for post-op appointments and consults. I will be seeing my shoulder/ankle surgeon for my 3 month shoulder post-op and ankle surgery discussion, my hip/knee surgeon for a re-eval of my knees, and my PAO surgeon for my RPAO post-op appointment. I also have an appointment with a back specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital (also while we are in Boston). I will be having an x-ray before my appointment and we will discuss my back pain and chronic SI instability. Hopefully we have a plan of action after our trip. I also hope to return home with a date for my right ankle surgery.

Before the craziness I was expecting to have right ankle surgery in December (over winter break) and right shoulder surgery in May (after my spring semester finals). Now it's possible that my knee needs to be reconstructed (with a Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy and MPFL reconstruction) this winter as well! I have no clue what to expect with my back appointment so I am going to try not to jump to too many conclusions.

For those EDSers with chronic ankle instability- I seriously recommend my ankle brace--Bauerfeind CaligaLoc Ankle Brace! It is a bit expensive but it works wonderfully and is pretty comfortable. It can also be reshaped if necessary. I was rolling right through lace up braces so we decided to upgrade to a Level IV maximum support brace. I feel so much more comfortable knowing that my ankle is not going to roll with every step and potentially lead to a kneecap dislocation. This brace will last me until surgery in December.

I start back at therapy with Cam this week and have Hivamat treatments as well. I also have a cardiologist appointment on Monday. This appointment is important because I have been experiencing tachycardia when lying down. It's definitely not a comfortable feeling. Tachycardia is an increased heart rate and is not typically experienced when supine (lying down/resting). I will post an update later!

Today is the FINAL of the Women's World Cup! USA will play Japan! Let's go girls! We're all supporting you! Stars and Stripes!

***U S A***