That is exactly how long it has been since my accident in October. Today as I headed to the burn center I was really unsure of what to expect. I have been wearing a compression glove on my left hand since early December. Sometimes the need for a glove can last up to a year or more. I have learned to be patient with my body as it heals, I was ready for whatever might happen.
Today I traveled to the burn center by myself. I had made a very early appointment and I had never taken the drive alone, there was no need for me to wake Mark up for this trip, I could handle it alone.My feet have been featured in many shots of this floor sign since we started our weekly pilgrimages to the center. I love taking pictures of my feet in different places!
Today when I walked into the waiting room it was very crowded. There were children with their hands and arms wrapped and other patients at various points in their care. As I waited for my appointment I felt tremendously blessed to have been tranferred to Crozer for my care when the accident first occurred. It really helps to be cared for by specialists in their field.
Once I was led to the examination room, my physical therapist and my doctor reviewed my scars. First my belly and then my right hand and arm. Everything was proceeding as expected. Then, the compression glove came off my left hand and my arm and fingers were given a thorough examination. The skin is entirely healed and the scar tissue that has developed is soft to the touch and my movement is nearly 100%.
It seems as though my body is healthy. The healing of the tissue and the minimal growth of scar tissue is evidence of good health. I am ahead of schedule in that regard. The compression glove is now a thing of the past.
As for the pain associated with the growth of the nerves, well, that will take a while to dissipate. Perhaps in a year that will also be a thing of the past. Fingers crossed. As far as life now, I am still not allowed to expose any of the burned areas to the sun without a sunscreen of at least 50 SPF.
So, I will spend most of my days indoors during the hottest parts of the afternoons. Gardening will occur after 4 and before 11, with sunscreen. I will train after dinner or before lunch if it is something that needs to happen outside. I will adapt.
Right now I am grateful for the care that I have been fortunate enough to receive. Thankful for my wonderful PT and my terrific doctor. I noticed this sign has been added to the entrance of the burn center...A truer statement has never been made, at least in my humble opinion!
