Jul 01 2008
Here we go, redux
Update: I originally created this entry as a page, but really wanted to make it a post (thank you Percocet!).
I was really glad I found a place where I could read about others’ experiences with recovery. Right now, I am doing pretty well-not too much pain, not too much hassle–though I do miss showering. :) I am 4 days post-op and 1 week to the day post-injury (my left). I posted a note on the “How it happened” thread, but I will repost is here for my own sake:
Hello everyone. Great to have so much support, but I reallly wish I didn’t EVER have to be in a position to find such a site. I was playing soccer in a rec league a week ago when I suffrered my injury. I had made a point of arriving early and warming up and stretching as I had suffered a cramp in my other (right) calf while running the day before. I was playing goalie and went out to challenge a player with the ball. When I left my line I heard a loud popping sound–like a champagne cork–and I thought I had snapped the laces on my new soccer shoes. I fell to the ground and looked at my feet and realized that the laces were still there, and thought I must have suffered a knee injury. But I had no pain in my knee (or my injured calf either), so I just tried to stand up. When I couldn’t put any weight on my left foot, I pretty much knew what the problem was. People across the field said they heard the popping sound. I get really mad at people who suggest that I suffered this injury because I am some sort of out of shape weekend warrior who overdid it. I work out–running, cycling, lifting–5+ times a week. That, so far, has been the most painful thing I’ve had to endure.
So that’s it for today. I am going to the orthopod on Wednesday to have my surgical site examined. I’ll let you know what happens. He’s fitting me in early because I have vacation plans for the week of July 7 and he wanted to look at it before I left.
After cruising the internet on the subject of “Complete Achilles Rupture”… I feel like I belong to a secret society, of sorts.
I initially ruptured my Achilles playing volleyball on March 30, 2008. Five and half weeks post-op, my shoe caught the flashing of the door to my house causing me to trip. Instinct took over and I put full weight on my injured leg. Not only did I re-rupture my Achilles, I caused a transverse tear along the incision. Welcome to injury prison, AGAIN!
My doctor has told me he has never dealt w/ a back-to-back rupture. That was a little unnerving to say the least, but I have faith in him and we have laid out a game plan for recovery.
Today marks six weeks and one day from my second surgery. I figure if I can walk by the end of July, life will be good. My three year old will be happy too!
As for your showering issue, I used a couple of plastic trash bags and a wide Velcro strap. Worked great! You might want to invest in a shower seat. Look up any medical supply store and they can possibly rent one to you.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a prescription for a handicap placard. It IS a lifesaver while on crutches.
Good luck!
Erin
Erin, thanks for the tips and for commenting. I am going to shower today with the trashbags and bungee cords and duct tape (yaaay!)–our shower has a seat built into it so I am pretty much all set. I haven’t bathed yet mostly due to the fact that was kind of out-of-it on percocet.
I did get a temp handicap placard from the DMV (doc did have to prescribe it)
That is unbelievably bad luck about the re-rupture. Best wishes on not going insane until you are able to walk again. The crutches have been a nightmare to get around on and I *hate* being driven everywhere.
I feel ya on the anger at people assuming your level of activity. I can’t tell you how many times i’ve wanted to beat someone with my crutch for giving me the look when I tell them I did it working out. I’m not fat, not a bodybuilder, not a string bean, I have a great solid body composition. I WAS very active, working out 6x a week. I’m 37 and have had my mid-life 20 (lbs) hit me. It would be 60lbs if it wasn’t for the workouts! It could be Zero if I didn’t want to enjoy good food and good booze! LOL. You’ll get over the anger in a few weeks. We’ve ALL had it. Just tell them to screw off and have yourself a cold beer.
Hang in there!
Welcome from Manchester, England to our very exclusive club.
You will find vast information from this site which has been a fantastic support to me over the last three months. Make sure you read all the help on the side-bars, you will be amazed how much you will learn about how to manage your problems, if you don’t know… ASK… someone will have the answer for you.
Unless you have experienced an ATR you cannot explain to other people exactly how it feels.
Wishing you a speedy recovery
Annie
Morning Chris,
Good to hear from you, one of my pleasures in the first week after my operation was to re-watch the Manchester City v Leicester City 1969 cup final, City won 1-0 and I was there at Wembley to see the game.
Have friends who used to live in Hambourg so have an affinity with them. Will try and find your blog, watch out for City this year, glad you are Chelsea and not United !!! Anyone anti-United is a friend of ours.
I am hoping to be fit for the new season, not playing mind you, just walking across from my sons apartment to the Stadium. At the end of last season City provided me with a special seating area for me and my husband to give me room to have my leg fully extended and raised up, they were very kind to me.
Good luck
Annie