Hi verticalpush
What a journey! You look amazing! You are almost as tall as 5'11". Wow!
By the way, why do you prefer or have to stay in Texas? seems like it is hard and long to travel to Vegas everytime, no to mention the cost of travel. If you don't have to work, why not stay in Vegas until you finish lengthening so that you can see or talk to Dr. D anytime you need to. When I was lengthening, I had stayed in hotel nearby Paley Institute. One day, X-ray was broken, but I was rescheduled next day. So it was not a big deal.
Regarding lengthening rate, I think you can tell him that you are doing great and don't have nerve pain anymore so you can ask Dr. D to increase the lengthening rate.
You are almost there! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the awesome words
Ghostfish my friend! You're right, I'm just a few hairs shy of 5'11 right now (I think my official read at Dr. D.'s was 5'10.75) and should be approaching that within a few days. Yup, it was definitely a learning experience that when you lengthen from home you need to allow for uncertainties like a broken x-ray machine. My advice at a minimum to anyone lengthening at home is to at least plan to stay overnight when you fly in for check ups! If I had the second day I would've been able to get the x-rays there (assuming they fixed the machine by then) plus I wouldn't have been as tired. My rental car would've been the same price, so the extra cost would just be the hotel room (which can be as cheap as $35 at some of the casinos). Next time I go to Vegas I'm
definitely spending the night.
For me, it definitely makes sense to lengthen from home. I'm far more comfortable here, plus it reduces costs significantly (the costs to travel to Vegas even every 3 weeks still pale in comparison to a month at a hotel). I also think that being able to see my friends helps tremendously with my mental health. For others, especially those coming from out of country, it makes more sense to stay closer to the CLL surgeon. You make a good point that if there are any complications it definitely would be tricky.
I'll definitely let him know thing have improved with the nerve pain, and hopefully I can get back to 3x/day by next week.
Great to hear you are doing so well. I forgot you started at a good height already! - what is your exact measurement now?
Can you describe your current views on whether this was the right decision? Has this experience so far changed your perception of height at all?
Hi
SimonFuller! Thank you! I started a little over 5'9. I'm at 5'10.75 now. The 6' mark is my goal.
I definitely think this was the right decision. Even in moments of pain I was confident that I did the right thing. It hasn't compromised my life as much as I expected it to. Although I'm not globe-trotting or spending nights out, I'm still able to see people, date, etc. Before I always saw my height as average, but now when I look in the mirror I notice a major difference. Although I have a little ways to go, when I talk to my neighbors in the hallway that saw me before surgery I already feel a bit more confidence.
My height dysmorphia issues run deep and have been there for many, many years. Even on days when I was in pain, I knew that I was moving in the direction of a permanent change that will allow me to toss out my lifts and truly be myself.
Congrats on 43mm and crossing the halfway point- that milestone must feel amazing!
Your journey through the airport and x ray issues reminds me to always expect the unexpected and to take into account how everything challenging becomes amplified when lengthening. Sometimes I seem to think all this is equates to is 1) X amount of $'s, and 2) X amount of time, and boom, we're taller. Diaries like this give us insight into how you have to be agile and positive through the unknown and unexpected. Thanks for keeping it so detailed and informative man, your raw honesty + positive attitude is inspiring, rooting for you!
How is your sleep going now with the recent fluctuations in tightness and discomfort?
I really appreciate it,
TheAlchemist! I fully agree, it has been a major learning experience for me. You're spot on. This isn't something you can throw money at and make it any easier. CLL is an intense physical battle and you get out directly what you put in. The harder you push yourself, the better the recovery will go.
Sleep is slowly improving given the reduction in pain. I still wake up 2-3 times a night and I still can't comfortably sleep on my side longer than 30 minutes or so. I try my best not to nap during the day. The less discomfort/tightness you feel, the better your sleep will be.
All in all, everything is improving!