Here’s a video of some of my first steps, thought I’d share it with everyone.  It’s my left leg that’s bad.  I’m at 10 weeks and 1 day post ATR, and 9 weeks and 2 days post op. Slow and steady for now.

I finally made it out fishing for the first time in 2.5 months. My good doctor gave me the go ahead for 2 shoes and I’ve been working them around the house with crutches and baby steps but haven’t ventured outside that way…yet. Fishing was no different. I have a buddy who’s fishing a bass tournament on the Detroit River / Lake Erie coming up and he asked me to practice with him. So I got up at 5am to meet him at his house. In the morning’s I’m still really slow - so I booted up and headed out, no way I’d risk two shoes on a boat in choppy water. For those of you that don’t know, Lake Erie can get pretty rough, especially in a 21ft bass boat.

Crawling from the main seat to the back deck’s seat wasn’t easy with the boot, and the waves didn’t make it easier. Those of you in a boot know you’re at the mercy of the thing when you step on uneven ground, so when the boat rocked so did I. I just made sure I had three parts of my body down at all times. Two hands and a boot or a boot a foot and a leg and I was ok. Made it through a thunderstorm (and my garbage bag / boot protector) and a few minutes of rough water, but all in all it went well. I even made sure to get the boot in a picture. It was so great being out and able to do something I love again.

After the long day of fishing - 6+ hours, we got back and I was feeling pretty good. I made the 30 minute drive home and then sat down, still doing well, then it felt like someone hit me with a truck. I was tired, achy and sore - not so much my bad leg, but everywhere else, everything I haven’t used in what seems like forever. So when I started to ice it, I fell asleep instantly. Best sleep I’ve had yet.

Since Stuart Asked, here’s some more

[View with PicLens]

So last time my good doc told me “put some weight on it”, (in the boot) but never really said to go full bore, but also didn’t say I couldn’t. After about a week with crutches PWB, I ordered the Evenup Shoe Balancer. Man I wish I woulda ordered that thing right away. It made it so much easier with crutches, I recommend it. I was in between on sizes and went down a size, based on their recommendation. Good choice, kept it nice and tight.

After a round or two of PT, my therapist said that I should FWB and that while it’s in the boot, I really can’t do any more damage. So I started walking on it, using the heel of course. So walk I did - around the house, up some stairs down to the end of the block and then - around the block twice. The hardest thing was not locking my leg to step. I watched RyanB’s video and just forced myself to push that knee/shin forward. I just had to learn to “trust the boot” and once I did, I started getting faster. I could now carry things in each hand!!! Oh the little joys.

So today I went back to the doctor and he asked how I’m doing and I told him well with little pain. He asked how much weight bearing I’ve done and my response was “all of it.” He said “good” and then said something scary - start using only two shoes! What, no way - not with that little thin popsicle stick down there. He said go slow, 2 crutches and make sure I’m pushing a little bit forward with it, not just short stepping on the heel. WOW! Seriously? So what did I do - I put my boot back on and walked out of the doctor’s office. I really had no way of carrying it out, but when I got home I decided to give it a go. Very slowly I walked around the house, two-crutching everywhere. Very little pressure moving forward and already I can feel it in my calf. He said at 3 months we’re gonna start pushing it a bit more, but for now, that’s where I’m at.

So I got the green light to soak it, swim and wean off crutches. Now I got big plans. I’m gonna soak myself in a bath, maybe find a hot tub. What I’m really looking forward to is getting a cooler full of ice and dunking my entire foot in there, up to my calf. First things first, I’m going fishing.

Had my initial assessment for PT on July 2nd.  They twisted and pushed my foot, stretched me out and checked everything against my other foot.  He said I’m about 75% better than most people when they come in, but they probably say that to everyone.  They gave me homework!  Most of it just ROM exercises and stretching.  He did tell me to go a little easier on my weight bearing since I told him I was using one crutch, then a cane to get around the house.  He didn’t like the cane idea since it doesn’t have as much support so I went back to one crutch in the house, two outside.  PT starts back up Tuesday the 9th, twice next week, then 3x a week after that.  I’m a little sore from my exercises, but I’m sure that’s to be expected after not using anything down there in forever.  My ankle feels frozen right now, like it should move more, but just won’t.  I’m sure that’s what PT will be all about.  It seems to be getting a little better each day though.

I actually made it onto a beach on crutches this week also.  Me and the family are away at the Cottage.  I took someone’s advice on here and just extended my crutches about two inches.  They sink into the sand a bit that way and are still tall enough that I can use them.  Great tip from someone on the site, I can’t remember who though.  I also tried attaching some small frisbies to the bottom of my crutches, which worked, but kept sliding on me.  I used elastic to attach them to the bottom, but it wasn’t tight enough.

Was also able to get out with the family on the 3rd to enjoy some fireworks on the 4th of July.  Although it’s miniscule, I can start to see a pinpoint of light at the end of the tunnel.