Unlucky enough to be one of the 2-4%

I want to thank everyone on this site for just being there —  because the moral support I have received has meant so much. 

The PA removed the cast and took out the stiches.  Since this is my second surgery I could compare the two.  The first time the stiches were removed it hurt — this time much better.  I was operated on the first time by the emergency room doctor on call — this time I found a guy that specializes in ATR.  I can say in hindsight that it is a good idea to have someone with you in the ER that is clear headed enough to ask for a doctor that does this kind of surgery regularly.  I was alone and frightened, in pain and definitely not clear headed.

I like the new doc and will be in a cast for 4 more weeks — changing the cast weekly to reposition the foot.  It feels very tight and I am afraid of pushing to far to fast. 

I asked about heel pain and got the answer not to worry about it since it is infrequent.  Of course I was busy worrying that the tendon was going to detach from my heel bone.  I don’t want to be the first person to be operated on three times in a row for the same problem. 

My first surgery was May 24 2008.  A flying piece of glass severed my achilles tendon.  I was alone and had passed out.  Woke up in a puddle of blood.  Crawled to find my cell phone.  Called my son and he took me to the emergency room. 

At week 8 I was told to go FWB.  The day after I was told to be FWB - no interm PWB - I re-ruptured.  I stepped back suddenly at a loud sound coming from the microwave.  The doctor thought it was ok and asked if I wanted a MRI - uh yeah.  Well it was ruptured. The second surgery recovery hurts much more than the first.  I am home for 2 weeks and then will have to return to work.  I am in a cast that I can’t even rest on the floor.  Walking in crutches causes the blood to rush downward and it hurts like a sob.  Does anyone know when that stops?

I can’t believe that some are fortunate enough to walk after only a few weeks.  I wonder if I will ever walk again.  I am definitely not buying a lottery ticket - it would be a seriously waste of money.

My ex-sister in law has been an angel enough to come and help me for a week.  My son is too busy to help. He is graduate school.    I have hired a dog walker.  I hired a helper from Homeinstead.  Insurance doesn’t cover the help I need.  They only cover it if completely bed ridden. 

I am afraid of when they tell me to go FWB again but I also hate being on crutches.  My greatest fear is facing a third rupture and third surgery.  Has anyone had this happen? 

I am in a cast for 2 weeks- then they take it off and I guess remove stiches- then put on a new cast.  The second cast will be on for 2-4 weeks.   Then I guess it’s back to the boot. 

Since both injuries occured in the kitchen I have surrounded it with crime tape.