Today was a bitter sweet day.
Over the last few days, I have had a huge struggle walking on my own. The doctors told me I had to push through the pain to ensure the skin doesn't close in places it shouldn't, lessening mobility in the future. Up until last Friday, I was unable to get out of bed on my own. My pain was at an 11/10 whenever I was trying to get up and around, whether on crutches or with my boyfriend helping me up. Percocet took the 11/10 and dumbed it down to a 7. On Saturday, I'd had enough of not being able to get up on my own. So I sat for ages doing small leg stretches to warm my legs up. This helped me get up on crutches, it still hurt but was bearable. Each day got better. Sunday I was up on crutches, but I wasn't able to put any pressure on my left leg without the pain going back up to an 11. Monday I was up on crutches, but my left leg was giving me troubles. Today I got up and did leg stretches, and my left leg actually managed to go straight. I stood up and it didn't buckle. I was able to walk. I was still in pain but now my pain was about a 6. Finally being able to walk again, without crutches or help, made me so happy I almost cried. I was still nervous because today was a big doctors appointment. We would learn if I was healing fast enough that I would be able to take my planned trip to see my family. Or if I would need skin grafts. Unfortunately, I am not healing fast enough and next Thursday I will have to undergo surgery for skin grafts. I walked in all excited and left in tears. I will have to spend a few days in the hospital to make sure the graft takes and that I am able to manage the pain without morphine. The doctors said they will harvest the skin from areas on my legs that weren't burnt. I'd like to point out that the reason I am getting grafts so late, is due to the fact that if the wound doesn't heal well enough after 3 weeks, the chances of scarring increases by 80%. Doctors said after 10 days, the bandages should be able to come off, and both the harvesting site and graft site should be closed. However, it will take me a year to get rid of other scars and discolouration. I was told I would need to wear pressure stockings for half a year to keep the scars flat. On the bright side, they will be custom made and I can choose my favorite color. I would of loved to have shared a picture where I am smiling but today was a hard one.
Sending so much love to those who have reached out, left comments, left messages. I appreciate and love you with all my heart.
