Whether I count it as my 8th or 2nd month post op progress, the milestones met this July have been tremendous and I feel as if I’ve been given a new lease on life.
Two days after I was disconnected from my PICC line, my tendon celebrated this new phase in recovery by going on an easy-going trip to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest in June. Though I could pick cherries in the Mount Hood area and do some power shopping in Portland, I still could not climb the 164 steps of the Astoria Column. I look forward to my next attempt at scenic tower climbing.
At my last follow-up visits a few weeks ago:
- my ortho entered the exam room with his fingers already crossed. Upon sight of my closing incision, he let out a huge sigh of relief and cheered as if he himself crossed a finish line.
- he gladly signed me back up to see a physical therapist twice a week for the next six weeks
- my Infectious Disease specialist also smiled and proclaimed that this was to be my last visit. I am glad that brought along a sack of goodies from Trader Joe’s to give to him in appreciation for my care.
- I was able to complete my usual three-mile walk around the neighborhood, though it took an additional 30 minutes
- I resumed my classes at the Y — Butts and Guts, Total Body Conditioning and Core and Cardio Challenge. Though I do MANY modifications, it feels so good to break out in a hard earned sweat. I still have to muster up the courage and confidence, though, to return to the Zumba class that I sustained my achilles injury.
- I returned to work three weeks before my official start date (hence, “unpaid” work). I am on a mission to catch up from the 60+ days of sick leave that I took to tend to my rupture-surgery-infection-infection-infection-surgery. I am learning to work within my physical limitations: no pushing fully loaded book carts or carrying 60-pound boxes.
My most strenuous rehab exercise is when I have to stand on a half-round foam balance beam on my weak ankle to do 15 front-side-back kicks with my good foot. I love the pilates machine and the ultrasound massages with ice packs. The scar tissue releases felt bad, but were oh so good too.
I still have difficulty with tightness when starting from a stationary position. There is usually swelling at the end of the day. Walking barefooted is sometimes painful and though the bruising around my ankle has faded a little, it is still is pronounced.
In all, it has been a good month. I am very cautious about over extending my ankles. The number of re-ruptures, and complications coming up on others’ posts on achillesblog are reminders to give myself the full opportunity to recover.
Thank you all for sharing your stories and for being on this journey with me.