Complication

Once the epidural began to wear off I noticed that the feeling wasn't coming back in my lower left leg.  I kept telling the doctors and nurses this as it was getting closer to being 24 hours since Brighton had been born.  They all kept telling me that since I got an extra shot of medicine it could take longer for it to wear off.  Lee kept having to help me any time I needed to get up because my foot and leg would just give out under me as I tried to walk.  Finally around Tuesday evening the nurse started to listen.  She called Dr. Wang who sent over anesthesia and a neurologist.  Of course the anesthesiologist said that it wasn't the medicine and basically not their fault.  The neurologist was a little more helpful. He told me that what I have is a peroneal palsy.  Basically the nerve on the left side of my knee got damaged and caused me to lose my feeling from the knee down.  It is also called "drop foot" because my foot will not lift up off the ground.  I can move my knee so I am able to lift my leg enough to walk.  I have the lovely brace above to help when I am wearing shoes.  The main problem is stumbling because my toes want to drag the ground.  I am supposed to go see a neurologist next week and I will start physical therapy on Monday.  The therapy won't help it get better but it will help those muscles that aren't being used right now to stay strong.  The neurologist should be able to run some tests and see what exactly is wrong with the nerves but probably won't be able to do anything to help.  From what my family doctor has said the nerve just has to have time to grow all the way back.  The time for healing on an injury like this can be anywhere from 3 months to 2 years.  It is really just a wait and see kind of thing.  I am beyond frustrated with the whole thing.  After being on bed rest I was so looking forward to playing with my kids.  While I can still do most things, it's just not what I had envisioned.  I know it will eventually get better but for now it's just annoying and frustrating.  So hopefully we will know more next week after we see the neurologist and begin physical therapy!  Thank you all for your calls, prayers and messages.  I know that it could be so much worse and I'm thankful that I can at least move around.  I'll try to remember to update again when we know more.