Joining the ATR club was not on my list of summer activities, however sometimes you don’t have a say in these things. The summer really started on July 4th, even though us Seattleites lament that summer starts on July 5th. I say it started on the July 4th, because I got to go up skiing at Crystal Mountain that day and that began a 2 week activity log that also included hiking, swimming, boating, and horseback riding. None of those things bothered me or my achilles. It wasn’t until I got to cub scout camp and a friendly game of Capture the Flag where I “joined the club”!
If you are still reading here - well thanks - you are kind. I guess the reason that I created a blog was to really join the community, look for guidance, and offer my support when I can. Because, right now, 6 months seems like a long time to be inactive. It is definitely not something that I am used to. Right now, the burning question is how have you got through a work week in the office? Last week, I worked from home on Monday - Wednesday and I could lay out on the couch with my leg up and work away on my computer and be productive. The problem came when I went back into the office last Thursday - it was thoroughly exhausting and painful. I simply couldn’t find a comfortable position to sit and do my work. I tried putting my leg up on my Kneal Scooter that I have, but that tweaks my lower back to the point that it is causing just as much pain in the lower back as I am receiving from the Achilles. Any thoughts?
Looking forward to seeing the doctor on Wednesday for my 2 week post op check up. Surgery was 7/27.
14 comments
Comments feed for this article
August 7th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
deana
Sorry to meet you here, Dave, and I hear what you’re saying about summer starting in July since we share your short season here in Vancouver.
About work: I went back to the office about 5 days post-op and found it quite uncomfortable. For the following two weeks, I made a deal with my boss that I’d go into work in the morning, usually for two to three hours to deal with anything I had to do face-to-face, or at my desk. Then I went home and worked from the couch. Gradually, I was able to draw out the time I spent at work, but I think it was probably a month before I was comfortable the whole day at my desk.
If you can, take your time returning to regular hours. I don’t think there’s any lasting damage done by returning to work early, but the swelling is no fun, and if you can avoid it, do!
Good luck, and happy healing.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:35 am
mtbrider
I had a comfy as position sorted. That was I sat in a chair that tilted backwards so I was reclining slightly, then I had a chair in front of me and on top of the chair a ’swiss ball’ that was inflated about 20%. The swiss ball being deflated supported my leg from the knee to the ankle. Best position I could find, was all good.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:47 am
bcurr
Work is definitely the thing that “hurts” the most for me.
Can definitely tell the difference between a day at home and in the office.
I started off with 2 weeks working from home. Then for 2 weeks moved to 3 half days and the rest from home. I’m now on 3 full days with 2 at home inbetween. Whilst in the office I sit with my feet on the desk as much as possible and walk around every so often.
I know its not a brilliant look for the office environment (I’m also in shorts and t-shirt!), but its that or I work from home as I had a bit of a scare at 2 weeks where I had done a full day in the office and when I got home had a pain that I initially thought was a re-rupture. It wasn’t, but thankfully it was a warning that too much too soon is not always a good thing!
Best of luck
August 8th, 2011 at 6:03 am
alison
Daveb, I didn’t have surgery for a few months, didn’t end up on A&E/ ER, so after 6 months when I had my op, didn’t have many reserves left. In the end I reluctantly had to take some time off, to try and get back more quickly. It depends on the job. Hope this helps.
August 8th, 2011 at 6:40 am
alison
Dave just thinking, I had a self propelled wheelchair with an elevating leg rest for a while. I didn’t use it at work but used it outside. It helped to get me over the worst. I definately would not have managed without the elevating leg rest. Just an idea.
August 8th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
daveb
That sounds like a great idea. I just sent an email off to my boss. Vancouver, BC or Vancouver, WA?
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
August 8th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
daveb
Interesting idea…We have a yoga ball in the basement…that isn’t getting used. I am going to try that out and see if that helps. Thanks!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
August 8th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
daveb
It seems kind of crazy that a day in the office would be so painful…but I think I am going to have to go to working partial days. Glad to hear your scare wasn’t the real thing! Shorts and t-shirts are common where I work, so I wear shorts to work quite often in the summer.
Good luck to you too!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
August 8th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
daveb
Wow…I am not sure I could hobble around for 6 months before op. I can see how you wouldn’t have much in reserve. Did they at least put a cast on it? A&E that’s the first time I have heard that referred to as the ER. I had to search that one. A&E is a tv network in the US. Good luck with your recovery.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
August 8th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
daveb
I have one of these Kneal Scooters and that gets me around pretty good. I have been trying to avoid the wheelchair.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
August 8th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
alison jones
Hi, I had a knee scooter as well, it was great. I did get a splint after a while. Its been a bit of a balancing act. Quite humbling, but Im sure the worst is behind me. Happy healing to you.
August 8th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
alice
I returned to work 10 days post op. My secret was thin gel ice packs that fit in my boot. I found if I could keep my foot from swelling, I could work. They come in all sizes and shapes. Additionally, I stuck “heel grips” on my crutches and CAM boot. It really helped with the slick, wet floors I had to navigate.
August 9th, 2011 at 1:59 am
daveb
So, how far along are you that you have reached that inflection point where the worst is behind you?
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
August 9th, 2011 at 2:00 am
daveb
Good tips, but I’ll have to wait until I get a boot. At this point, I am still in a splint. I go in for my 2 week post-op on Wednesday, so we’ll see if I get a boot or a cast.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.