The week has whizzed by, but not without accomplishments.
One of my doctors sent his patients an offer to participate in a Stemwave program.
Stemwave, very informally, is a device that uses low-intensity sound waves to stimulate natural healing in various parts of the body.
The analysis appointment was the only "bargain" in the process, but it nearly didn't matter because my doctor was reluctant to use the device on my left hip (where I have had off/on pain for a couple of years) because I use Eliquis daily. Eliquis is a blood thinner. His concern is that the sound waves might impact blood vessels that could cause some internal hemorrhaging. He suggested I might ask my doctor about cessation of the drug, but the therapy is either an 8-week or 12-week program and it's unlikely my doctor would want me to stop for those periods of time.
Do I have any other pains, he asked. Well, I said, I have neuropathy in both feet, but there is no pain any more...both are just numb. He brightened, suggested we experiment on one foot. I suggested my right foot since that is the one I've had problems with the callous/ulceration issues (not completely healed).
I don't quite know how to say this, but the treatment revived feeling in my foot I haven't felt in more than 15 years. It's not a cure, but it's a better move toward feeling like I have control with my feet rather than attempting a balancing act with the rest of my body.
After that analysis on Tuesday, we scheduled two appointments for this week. Yesterday, both feet were treated. Both feet are much improved over how they felt the past week. This is a two-month, twice-a-week treatment, but I am very encouraged that I will have functionality in both feet that I thought was gone.
It makes the 34-miles-each-way trip worthwhile.
