Things have been very hectic the past few weeks. Summer came to a close and I launched headfirst into my jobs, school, and tennis. There are a couple things to report. First, I was contacted by Wellsphere to be a featured healthblogger. I'm pretty excited for the opportunity and ask you to check out their website and their community for any health questions or issues you might be having. I'm also happy to report that after visiting my surgeon last week that I was given the green light. He was very impressed with my recovery. While I'm not at 100%, I can be active again without being afraid of re-tearing my hip. I am still going to physical therapy three times a week and now will be playing tennis around 4-5 times a week and going to the gym twice a week. Although I have the green light, I am still being cautious about my activities. If at any point my hip hurts, I will stop, and if it's sore the next day, I know to take it down a notch.
I'm very proud that I have gotten to this point. Now that I can go back to tennis and dancing and rock climbing, I feel a lot more like myself. I feel like everything is coming back together.
As far as other things, I'm feeling pretty good. Again, it was the time in my cycle so I experienced increased pain levels and had problems sitting. But I'm continuing to see improvements. After my last exam we noticed my skin is very thing towards the very bottom of the vulva. So I'm going to make an appointment back with Dr. Nyirjesy in Philadelphia so I can get an estrogen/testosterone cream compounded, test my hormone levels, and get a liquid lidocaine to use for my dilator exercises. I'll try to see him by the end of September and hopefully get my skin back to a healthy level. I think using that along with the continued physical therapy will put me on a good track. I know it might take a year, but I don't mind waiting as long as I continue to see progress.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Progress
It's amazing what can happen in a week. I've been taking antibiodics and they have done their job. I feel so much better- back to where I was last Wednesday. The tissue also looks much better. I got the results back from my culture and it turns out it was positive for yeast. So to be on the safe side I am going back on Friday to get another culture and make sure it has completely gone away. I don't want anymore setbacks.
Physical therapy went really well today. Sitting has been difficult, but it just feels like my muscles are so incredibly tense and tight. And when we do vaginal and rectal release, I do notice a huge difference week to week, and especially since before my hip surgery. So I think we're finally getting somewhere and I'll just continue to be patient. My hip is still very weak, but I am trying my best to get better before the fall tennis season so I can play doubles.
Right now I have 4 or 5 stretches that I have to start doing twice a day. I'm also going back to using the dilators and have stretches to do while I'm using them every other day.
Also, if you don't know already, this Friday night there is a primetime special about vulvodynia. I have no idea what they are going to talk about, but I'm sure it will be interesting. One of the physical therapists talking is from Beyond Basics in NYC where I go every week. I've pasted the information below.
Physical therapy went really well today. Sitting has been difficult, but it just feels like my muscles are so incredibly tense and tight. And when we do vaginal and rectal release, I do notice a huge difference week to week, and especially since before my hip surgery. So I think we're finally getting somewhere and I'll just continue to be patient. My hip is still very weak, but I am trying my best to get better before the fall tennis season so I can play doubles.
Right now I have 4 or 5 stretches that I have to start doing twice a day. I'm also going back to using the dilators and have stretches to do while I'm using them every other day.
Also, if you don't know already, this Friday night there is a primetime special about vulvodynia. I have no idea what they are going to talk about, but I'm sure it will be interesting. One of the physical therapists talking is from Beyond Basics in NYC where I go every week. I've pasted the information below.
"For those interested in learning more about vulvodynia and sexual pain, 20/20 will be airing a segment at 10 p.m. EST, Aug. 7
ABC News' Chief Medical Editor, Dr. Timothy Johnson, will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of sexual pain disorders and vulvodynia with Andrew Goldstein, MD, and Amy Stein, MPT. Dr. Goldstein is the director for the Center for Vulvovaginal Disorders in Washington, DC, and New York City. Ms. Stein, is a New York-based physical therapist, who specializes in the treatment of pelvic and urogynecological pain disorders.
The segment will also feature the stories of two women with sexual pain, as well as an interview with Christin Veasley, NVA's associate executive director, and her husband Melvin. We have worked closely with the National Vulvodynia Association and they are a wonderful organization.
For more, visit http://abcnews.go.com/2020/
or visit: http://www.tvguide.com/Listings/default.aspx."
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