January 27th - March 7th, 2025
Monday January 27th - Friday March 7th
General Updates and Happenings
This last month has been focused on getting back in shape and healing post-surgeries and sickness, and a lot of medical coordinating and headaches (literally and figuratively). At the end of January, I had a pending oral surgery with unanswered questions and a tentative surgery date in April, a partially planned trip to Denver for Patrick’s birthday and including an appointment with a new hip specialist, upcoming disability evaluations, and a few other new providers I was trying to get in with. Wooooof. All of this is sure time consuming!
Not only did I figure out all of the above, including navigating more insurance and healthcare system nuances, but I had my oral surgery last Thursday 2/27 to remove my dying tooth and do bone grafting. It was shockingly smooth and easy, both the day itself and how I’ve felt post-surgery. What a huge relief to have this behind me and continue moving forward. More details are below under medical/mouth.
This has also been the month of dropping in and allowing myself all the rest I need; I have been napping so much in the space between things! The weather has turned very spring-like and I’ve been trying to get out for more walks; Patrick and the pups are good rallyers for me to do this. We’ve been walking up to our local free library stand and trading out books. I’m also on a 75-day meditation streak and have had warm enough weather to meditate outside on my bench for a few days. I’m eager for the longer days ahead and more outdoor/evening activities where I can drive! I’m not sure I’ve ever been so excited for the time change…
Patrick’s birthday 2/24 - we decided not to go on our trip to Silverthorne because he wanted to be home, which ended up being a good call as he was sick over his birthday. We still had a wonderful day, made yummy pancakes at home with sausage, cheese, and green chile in them; he rested while I made a chocolate cheesecake with oreo crust and raspberry swirl; we went on a nice walk by the river at Red River Fish Hatchery and then to one of his favorites, Wildcat’s Den in Questa, for burgers. A few friends dropped off yummy treats for him in the evening. :)
Coordinating and re-coordinating! Because we didn’t go to Silverthorne, I was able to schedule my oral surgery for 2/27 but the change of plans required moving the new hip specialist appointment to a different time. I was able to coordinate the new appointment when my brother is also in Denver, as well as a neuro-ophthalmology new patient appointment and cosmetic plastic surgery with my face surgeon in Co Springs. I’m so happy to have all of this figured out and am realizing what a toll is takes on me. There’s no question that I do, in fact, have an unpaid full time job!
Social life: Getting out to play volleyball with friends is certainly a highlight these days, it feels so good to be able to play despite having increased pain during and after. I went out for a lovely birthday celebration dinner for a dear friend and loved getting some lady time in. I have another girlfriend in town this weekend and very excited to get some time with her!
Financial Status
Disability benefits: I’ve completed both of my independent medical exams scheduled by the Social Security Administration and am hopeful, though not very optimistic, that I will hear from them in the next few months. I’ve reached out via email to my disability attorney’s office—different from my civil suit attorneys for the semi truck collision—and have not heard back.
Mental Status Exam 1/28: I was asked questions that didn’t feel relevant, and it was easy to overthink my answers; the provider didn’t react to anything I said, which was very difficult to read.
General Medical Exam 2/8: I checked in and was given a packet of paperwork to fill out that included a detailed medical history and other forms I have already submitted to SSA several times, I saw a nurse who did vitals and then asked me questions about my specific “conditions” and how they affect my ability to work (also forms I have filled out multiple times), and then saw a doctor for about 5 minutes during which she asked me to do various range of motion movements and that was that…
These exams are contracted with agencies with no relationship to the SSA or the disability application process; they are simply hired to examine the patient and create a report. These providers are not there to provide anything to the applicant/patient. It seems like neither of these providers were given much history on my case or any of my medical records to review in advance, so that was quite frustrating. The fact that there was close to zero back and forth with both providers, among many other factors, makes it easy to ruminate about how well the exams did or did not go. I have no idea what to expect.
Victim’s Compensation Fund: I’ve tried following up and haven’t gotten much communication that’s optimistic for me getting support. The bottom line here is that this fund is meant for victims of crime, which I certainly am, but my situation and need for financial support, combined with the fact that I’m in a civil suit, makes it hard for this fund to support me. They can pay for any outstanding bills, which I don’t have thanks to my mom helping me pay things off right away.
HSD Benefits: 2025 food stamps have been approved to continue; what a huge help!
Lawsuit: The trial is now in October of this year, and things continue to progress, but it sure feels slow…
Medical Updates
Mouth
Surgery Healing: Removal of facial plate (12/6): no new updates, I continue feeling great post-surgery and no sinus smell!
1/29 Orthodontist: We did some minor adjustments to my front teeth, with her noting that, unfortunately, my two front teeth are showing signs of mobility, which is not a good thing. I asked if this is something to speak with the oral surgeon about and she didn’t think it was necessary right now, but she did suggest getting in asap with the dentist to work on a plan for post-orthodontics as we are getting closer to being ready. She had me continue on top-to-bottom crossbite elastics at night.
2/6 Dentist: This was a really helpful appointment to create a plan for post-oral surgery (tooth removal) and post-orthodontic next steps; luckily, there was a cleaning no-show, so I could get a teeth cleaning as well. My dentist, orthodontist, and oral surgeon all got on the phone after my appointment and later that evening I had a call from my dentist outlining their plan: I will be getting a bridge, not an implant in the space on the upper left where my tooth is getting removed. This is actually where my fractures went through, and it can’t be restored stability-wise. For the three front teeth on each side, we will bond/crown and splint to help with stability, especially with the two front teeth showing mobility.
2/19 Orthodontist: she said I’m pretty much done with orthodontic adjustments and now just waiting to see how my mouth heals and stabilizes post oral surgery. This could mean I’m done with braces in April or May!
2/26 Oral Surgery to remove a tooth on the upper left and do bone grafting - very smooth and easy! Patrick and I drove down super early for an 8:45 check-in and were already headed back home by 10. I have had minimal swelling and pain that’s been manageable with tylenol/ibuprofen, yay. Such a relief to have this behind us, with no scary surprises or complications.
Background: I had been trying to get ahold of my oral surgery team and finally, on 1/27, received a call lto discuss. We always knew the tooth in question (#5 top left, or #12) was a “smoking gun” so it wasn’t surprising that the tooth needed to come out. Better to do it sooner than later and he gave the option to do it at his private clinic instead of UNM, which he said would be much more streamlined and I wouldn’t have to wait until April as currently scheduled at UNM. I then worked with his office team to make sure we could get insurance approval for the procedure, which turns out to be more of a headache and reminiscent of 2023 dealing with getting my medical plan to cover dental-related care due to accident/emergency. Still working on it! And today (3/7), I just got an estimate for the post-orthodontic dental care that will be needed (bridge, crowns, splinting), and my dental plan will cover an estimated $675 of $14,000! Yikes. Hopefully, figuring out the medical plan coverage of this care will be easier than it was in 2023, though I’m not optimistic because it feels like I’m starting over once again.
Face
Scheduled 3/17 for cosmetic plastic surgery with my Co Springs plastics and reconstructive surgeon. I’m very excited to have this done as it will hopefully improve the symmetry of my smile and help me to feel less self-conscious and triggered by the asymmetry. This procedure will include fat grafting and scar revision of the left cheek and hopefully adding filler injection to my nose, though this last part is still getting figured out due to hospital policy and insurance questions.
Eyes
Vision: no changes, I am still not comfortable driving at night and often have difficulties with sunlight and indoor lighting reflections.
Dryness also continues to be an issue and I continue to use drops many times a day and gel at night to keep my eyes moist.
Since October, I have been trying to get my referral to the UC Health Neuro Opthalmology Department accepted; after much back and forth, I finally have an appointment on 3/13!
Orthopedic
Ankles
L ankle: post plate-removal 12/12/24, I continue to have non-normal nerve sensations from the knee down and especially on the top of my foot and big toe. My ankle is getting stronger thanks to PT exercises, regular walking, and tissue work. I hope the nerves return to normal soon! I do have some ankle instability and pain, especially as I increase my exercise level, and plan to get prolotherapy and trigger point injections on 3/27/25.
R ankle continues to stay strong and stable!
Left Arm/Hand
Since getting my plate removed, my arm has been feeling much better! I have no pain with volleyball and very limited with typing as I did before. I have some restriction and pain along the scar, occasional wrist pain, and continued intense stiffness and restriction in my finger mobility.
1/30 OT/Certified Hand Specialist: my ulnar nerve is happy! That is a huge win… We discussed how my fingers are likely to remain stiff and painful as there’s not much to do to help them further. She wondered if I can shift from thinking there’s something to fix, maybe they won’t be such a bother - which has already made a big difference!
She did notice that my shoulders were not functioning properly, which is something I’ve been discussing with other providers and why I’m going to start Feldenkrais. My shoulders tend to especially react after stress and anything that is re-traumatizing (surgery, for example); they want to protect my heart. To complement any other therapies I do for my shoulders, my OT gave me exercises to do at home, starting with isometric stabilization, which has already helped tremendously.
Unfortunately, my new 2025 insurance does not cover OT at this office, so I had to pay out of pocket, but I don’t expect I’ll need to go back, so it felt like an okay compromise.
Knees
Still hurting regularly without much change. All of the bodywork I do with providers and at home helps manage the pain levels. They haven’t gotten worse but also haven’t gotten better. I discussed my frustration with the ongoing pain at my PT appointment on 3/6, and she said given everything my knees have been through, they are likely to have ongoing pain that we will need to continue to manage as we have been.
My chiropractor’s office is offering me a dry needling treatment to see if it can help with bilateral knee pain - start date TBD
R Hip
Ongoing pain and instability, especially with increased exercise.
Pain injection treatment on 2/12 that did help with some of the pain, though it is always hard to say because I’ll have a treatment and then a surgery that decreases my exercise levels…
I’m eager to see the hip specialist! I had to do a lot of moving appointment around trying to figure out travel; first appt scheduled 2/5, then 2/26, now 3/18. I realized that I need a new MRI because the doctor can’t see you without an MRI from the last 6 months, mine is from August, and getting a new one has been a big headache but I finally figured it out - unfortunately I am going to have to pay out of pocket if I want to keep my current appointment, which I do. To get insurance approval for a new MRI, I’d first have to see my orthopedic surgeon and do x-rays, and I can’t get in for an appointment in time to make this all happen.
PT: getting back in the swing of things feels great! I’m running on the elliptical, lots of tissue work (cupping, manual massage, gua sha) on legs and knees, hip and ankle adjustments, bosu balance ball and even bought one for home which is exciting, and did weight machines for the first time.
General
3/4: Neurology Follow-up Telemed: we discussed my ongoing headaches as well as my neuro-psych report which details my struggle with PTSD. We increased my dosage of venlafaxine to 225 mg/day. He also still wants me to have a brain MRI, which was initially denied by insurance, and is going to try again to get the order approved.
Bodywork: I continue to have immense gratitude for all of my bodywork providers who keep me feeling as best I can. My regular appointments of full body myofascial chiropractic care, nervous system regulation, postural support, and massage are immensely helpful and still needed weekly.
Feldenkrais movement therapy with the goal of, in my provider’s words, “giving your body more options for movement” and “helping your skeleton and supporting infrastructure interact with gravity more effectively, and your nervous system connect the dots to calm when you are in less effortful alignment”
Initial appointment 2/11: After this initial appointment of hands on movement therapy, I left feeling much more stacked and integrated. She worked on me for about an hour and then when I first sat up, I felt a pinching on my L upper back between shoulder blades and spine. She had me lay back down on the table and did what felt like very small, gentle adjustments. I sat up and the pinching pain was gone. Then, immediately upon walking around her room, I felt like my feet weren’t collapsing like they like tend to do, and I was generally just walking with more ease. When I got home, it was easier to sit at the computer at the dining room table without hunching forward; holding my body up felt less effortful.
appt 2 on 2/26: I worked on my shoulder blades, and I was eager to see how this might affect my typical shoulder-forward and heart-protecting pattern post-surgery. It does seem like it has had a positive effect so far.
Next appointment 3/11 :)
Pain injection appointments: nerve block and neck/shoulder trigger points in January, an intense hip session in February to release trigger points aggravating hip and knee pain, and prolotherapy at the outer hip (ischial tuberosity). Trying to get in for more regular appointments but he is a busy and in high demand! Next appointment is 3/27.
My sleep has been pretty disturbed over the last month but recently I’ve started using THC/CBD/CBN/CBG gummies that have significantly improved my falling asleep and when I wake up in the night, which still happens nearly every hour after midnight, I fall back asleep more easily.
At times, I’m having intense dreams that are hard to differentiate from real life - one provider suggested that the filter between my subconscious and conscious needed a cleaning hehe, and another suggested a clearing practice to review everything from the day before going to bed. These have both helped.
I’m still having nightmares on and off as well.
Mental health:
I’ve been easily triggered into sympathetic mode (fight or flight) lately, it feels more regular since the beginning of the year. I notice myself being startled easily, even by my own body like my teeth hurting and wondering if it is a serious or scary issue popping up. At times I have the feeling that I cannot escape my body and ongoing pain/dysfunction, there’s always something to be aware of, or afraid of, or create more mindful movement and it is exhausting, it envades my every thought, I feel claustrophobic. I have many practices to help with these feelings and thoughts and am working on it…
I started ketamine group therapy again and am very grateful for the treatments and the community. We’re hoping to get together outside of group and it will be nice to have that support.
I’m also continuing my behavioral health therapy every week or so where we focus on somatics and releasing trauma from the body.
My digestive system continues to be super wonky and hard to regulate! I’m using all the tools I know well to try and stay regular, but it is a challenge! I tend very easily towards constipation so going through all this stress, additional surgeries and meds, sure takes a toll.
On the Horizon
Weekly appts in Taos: bodywork, pain management, myofascial chiropractic, PT, behavioral health
Weekly meetings with legal team for civil suit
3/10: R Hip MRI in Santa Fe
3/12: ABQ Orthodontist
3/12-20: Trip to Denver to spend time with family and take care of more medical things:
3/13: Denver Neuro-Ophthalmologist
3/17: Scar Revision, Fat Grafting, and Nose Augmentation Surgery in CO Springs
3/18: Boulder Hip Preservation Specialist
3/27: Pain Injection Specialist
4/2: ABQ Orthodontist (may push out another week or two)
4/4: Ketamine Group Therapy
