Surgery: To be or not to be?

One down...

I met with a hand surgeon yesterday and he gave me a summary of what is really going on with my right arm and my left hand.

Left Hand: My thumb doesn't bend completely and the MRI results said that I had ruptured the tendon to my thumb. However, the doctor explained that if it was ruptured, then I wouldn't be able to move it at all. I can move it a little, so that is good. NO SURGERY on my left arm! There is a lot of Occupational Therapy that I need to do, but I am fine with that.

Right Arm: My little finger and half of my ring finger are "numb" and the strength in my entire right hand is very weak. The MRI results said that I had damage to my Ulna Nerve in my elbow. I also had a EMG test done on my arm to see if the electrical response to my nerve is still working and it's strength. After reading the report from the EMG, I was a little disappointed. The prognosis was fair. I have a little response to my fingers when they did the test at my wrist. When the doctor tried the same test at my forearm and elbow there was no response. They also tested the sensory nerves and there was no response. After talking with hand surgeon, he said NO SURGERY on my right arm. The nerve is severely damaged. There is no surgery that would help it at this point. He said the nerve heals 1mm a day. (25 1/2mm = 1in) (Thanks to Buck's Calculations!) Which means this could take up to a year to reach my little finger. Once the nerve heals then I can get the muscle strength back, but not until it is healed.

So, in conclusion, I was excited to hear that I would not need surgery on either arms. However, I was disappointed to find out that this could take me up to a year to heal. (There is also the possiblity that it will not heal, but I am not going to talk about that option.) Next week I will start therapy twice a week at the same place where I went to see the hand surgeon. They will work specifically with the function of my hands. Fun stuff, I am able to leave out of the house!

One to go...

My main medical doctor wants me to get a second opinion with another hand surgeon which is a good idea when talking about my hands. This will give me a little more insight as to where I am going to go from here. Everyone knows, I want to make sure after all this is over I am able to still play softball! :)

*Melissa Lyle*

No news is good news...

Lissa sent this email to me to update everyone. There have been and will be a lot of new steps last week and to come. It's exciting to see the progress, and for many of you - a blessing to her as you walk through it with her in one way or another. So here it is....


I apologize for not keeping this more up to date, but here is an earful! A
lot has happened since I wrote last.

First off, God is good! There is never a day that goes by without thinking
about how blessed I am. I'm ALIVE! I have never been bored or depressed, because there is no reason to be. I figure this is just another phase in
my life and although I don't know exactly where it is leading or what to
expect, I'm along for the ride!!! I have a husband that would do anything
for me, family that is supportive and always willing to keep me company,
our Church family who prays and encourages me, and school family which has
sent notes, e-mails and stepped up to take care of my teaching
responsibilities while I am away.

Secondly, this is the third week I have received physical therapy and
occupational therapy. I am currently considered "home bound" so each lady
comes out to the house twice a week. I have seen much progress and they
have too. Hopefully this next week will be my last week of "home bound"
therapy. Then I will be going for out patient therapy.

The Next step is to see a hand surgeon this coming Monday. I am anxious
to see what the prognosis is. This will determine how much longer I am
out of school. As much as anyone can complain about a job, when you are
not able to do it, you miss it. I miss the students. I stopped by "my"
8th grade girls b-ball game last night. Seeing the students was hard.
I know why I am in the teaching profession.

Finally, please continue to keep me in your prayers. I am healing, but not
fully there yet. I am starting to sleep for part of the night in bed! As
silly as that may seem, it is a big deal for me. The more my body heals,
the more comfortable it is to do many things. The little things like riding
in a car, walking, tying a shoe that we take for granted; I now have a new
appreciation for.

Thank you to all, my cup overflows.

*Melissa Lyle*

A Lissa Exclusive

Lissa is making some great steps. One of those being that she is able to get on the computer a little bit. She emailed this to me today. So you get to hear it straight from our girl.

Another week has past and I am getting stronger, gaining some weight back, and taking the next steps in recovering. I have been getting up and about a lot more this week. I am working on gaining back the muscles I lost sitting around. As much fun as it is getting around, I pay for it later with pain and soreness. Monday Ryan and Bennie (my little 6'3" brother) took me to Allen's Corner for brunch. The next step was getting a pedicure! Ryan's little sisters Sarah and Becca gave me a gift certificate for Christmas and Ryan's older sister Rachel took me on Wednesday, so at least my feet look good. Yesterday, Ryan and Jared (Ry's brother) took me to get MRI's done on both my right elbow and my left arm. We had some time to spare before the weekly doctor's apt. so we went to Panera for lunch and then since the boys were good we stopped by Best Buy to get some movies.

After talking with the doctor, the next step is to get an EMG to test the nerve damage in my right arm and then take those results to the hand surgeon with the MRI's. Right now it seems like if it is not one thing, its another. God is teaching me patience and peace through all this and although this may not be what I had in mind for the new year, God is good. He knows best.

Thank you for all your prayers, cards, e-mails, phone calls, dinners, and help. Ryan and I are blessed to have such great friends, family, church family, and co-workers. I will try, with Kay's help to keep this sight updated. Thanks again for everything and Happy New Year.