Hello, My name is Melinda Ropp, but I go by Lindy. In February (three months ago), I was in a minor skateboarding accident. I had no idea that a twisted ankle would change my life. After waiting it out for a few days, we visited Urgent Care where they diagnosed a sprain and sent me home in an orthotic shoe. A few weeks later, we visited Sports Medicine because my foot had swollen to twice it's normal size and was extremely painful. More images were taken, and in March I was diagnosed with CRPS. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Mom studied the disorder, and the doctor's ordered a bunch of physical therapy. The problem was, the only cure is excruciating physical therapy, and my body was not cooperating. When I tried to move my foot, my brain would scream and my foot would lock up. Over the ensuing weeks. my foot began to lose more and more function, until it curled in on itself and stopped working entirely. That was a week ago. My mom called the doctor, and we were sent to the ER. X-rays were taken, and we were admitted to Children's Hospital the next day (Wednesday May 5). At Children's, they put in two peripheral nerve blocks. The first day, it was completely numb and I slept through the night for the first time in three months. It was bliss. I got massage therapy, music therapy, play therapy, and psychiatry. PT didn't hurt at all, and my ankle did things I had forgotten were possible. Then the lidocaine wore off, and the pain came back. I was very depressed that first day. As the pain had originally come on gradually, I had forgotten how good it felt to be pain free. I didn't want it to come back. Even so, the nerve block made it possible for my foot to function a little bit. I began grueling PT daily, with mom continuing to make me do more in between. Mom doesn't like hurting me, and it was causing a lot of problems. She's doing better now, probably because she is also enjoying more positive time with me. Eventually, I'll be discharged from Nationwide in Columbus and be sent to Cincinnati Children's, where they have a specialized inpatient rehab for CRPS. Other than the excruciating pain leaving me sobbing at least a couple times every day, it's also really hard processing all the uncertainty. Will I be able to walk again? Or drive? Will I ever be pain free? Will I be out of the hospital any time soon? Will I be able to go to amusement parks? Or run? Or skateboard? We just don't have those answers yet, and that is scary. Thank you for your love and prayers. I wouldn't have made it as far as I have without you.
Been a rough week. Psychological pain amplifies the physical pain, and she has had every single one of her friends cancel on her birthday party. To say she is upset is an understatement. It's been a difficult week, as the foot has swollen and the function is harder while she battles the psychological demons of self doubt and fear that her friends have abandoned her. It's hard on me, too, because I don't know how to help her, and what has happened is exceedingly unfair and unkind.
With the unfortunate week, I have once again had to make sacrifices at work. Balancing work and home is unbelievably hard right now, and I'm starting to wonder if its even fair to my patients to expect too much flexibility from them.
I guess there isn't much actual news, other than to ask for continued prayers. The battle isn't over yet. Tomorrow is the day that was supposed to be her (already rescheduled due to friends cancelling) birthday. Please pray that she can have a fun and relaxing day with family, and that the gut clenching guilt eating at me can loosen its grip. Thanks.
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Lindy Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Lindy's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
