I think I’m going insane
Everyday is the same. I wake up, eat breakfast, do a couple of sudoku puzzles, peruse the internet, watch some tv, eat a snack, play some video games, maybe talk on the phone, eat some dinner, do some physical therapy exercises, watch more tv/play more video games/peruse the internet a little longer, go to sleep. The monotony is occasionally broken up by a visit from a friend or relative which may include going out to watch a movie or something but all in all I wake up every morning (afternoon?) with the feeling that there is nothing to look forward to in the day. I hate this injury. I just want to go for a run outside and play some basketball and contrary to my very first post, I really want to go back to work and raise some hell on the streets. Oh well, one day at a time. Really, I do feel fortunate I am afforded the luxury to sit around and do nothing all day and not have to worry about paying the bills or even paying for the medical bills. I have not taking a sick day or a vacation in 3 years and an awesome health insurance plan to thank for that.
As for the actual recovery, I’ve been on partial weight bearing for about a week, but I’ve been too lazy to update (go figure). I’m not as thrilled as I thought I would be at this point probably because it isn’t actually walking. In fact, I get around a lot faster on crutches then limping around trying to control the weight I put on my foot so I tend to cheat and not partially weight bear. I’ve been going to physical therapy once a week for the past 3 weeks. My protocol for the first week was simple range of motion exercises and strength exercises (isometrics and toe curls with a towel - I hate toe curls! I could barely do them). For the second week I was instructed to do more range of motion exercises and some stretches in a towel. Strength exercises progressed to using a rubberband to provide some resistance and more isometrics. For conditioning I was allowed to start using an exercise bike with minimal resistance for 7-12 minutes. Haha when I first started I could barely pedal the darn thing fast enough to keep it on. For the third (and current) week I have been continuing the range of motion exercises and added a standing calf stretch. The strength exercises are more of the same just with more repetitions. The cycling has been increased to 20 minutes a day. I’ve been increasing the resistance on the bike steadily as my foot allows and boy does it feel good to work up a sweat.
I hate to post negativity but I really think I’ve had it with this injury. I am sooooooo grateful for this community. Reading other people’s thoughts and experiences has probably been the only thing keeping me sane.
P.S. I really really really hate the big, ugly, heavy boot but I just can’t live without the darn thing! Hahah
Filed under: Uncategorized and
Previously I posted in June ‘I think ‘Im cracking up’ which I thought I was at the time. But, do not despair it will improve. Your lucky presumably because you are taller than me (I am only just over 5′ tall), we have a bike at home and I have to ask my husband/son to get me on it to cycle, but I can only just reach the pedal with my bad leg even with the seat at the lowest level.
I try and do some every day but not sure if trying to pedal without being able to put the whole food on the pedal is a good idea really.
The Olympics has been great, even though I am in work I am watching live cycling on BBC. We went to watch the World Cycling Chapionships in Manchester in March when I first hurt my leg and before I was diagnosed with achilles, so I was hobbling about the velodrome.
Keep your chin up good times will come again…
Annie
i know exactly how you feel ( take a look at my post week three) it happens to us all but it will pass , focus on the fact you will recover some people are less fortunate as we are . im nearly 9 wks post op and the last 3 wks have been amazing . ive gone from pwb to fwb to no boot indoors my physio starts tomorrow but i feel i only need it to strengthen my calf . i do get swelling after being out all day . my surgeon said it was the worst tear he has had to repair he must have done an excellent job for my recovery to be so quick . i had visions of being laid up for 6 months !!!!!!!!!! im looking forward to going back to work in 3 weeks and mostly swimming which is the one thing im not allowed to do ( incase i slip ? ) so dont feel down , your recovery may just come in leaps and bounds (pardon the pun )good luck and quick heeling x nerys
I’m only just in week 3, so have another 2 weeks 6 days before my solid plaster is off.
I managed to get a lift into my office job so can stay immobile most of the day (although just had a meeting the other end of the building and am now shattered after crutching it all the way there and back). I consoled myself yesterday that it is the noughties as pre-ninities in the UK we had 4 TV channels and no internet.
Keep smiling,
Jon
I am sure you don’t want to hear this but hang in there. There will be moments of despair that we have to go through. This is a very challenging time….such is life I guess.
I am 2 weeks into this ordeal and all I want to do is play soccer on my team. Plus the weather is amazing UGH… I am sure I will have a melt down along the way, when that time comes, make sure PICK MY ASS UP!!!
One less day
-Mario