Many people have 500 dollar payday advance posted their six month update.  Well, that slipped past a month ago.  I guess time flies when you’re walking again!

My update is positive.  Wound has been closed for some time now and have been walking about two miles a day.  I’m pretty pleased as how my leg muscles have returned.  I was essentially on one-leg for over twenty weeks last year due to my re-rupture and conservative treatment the second time around.  When I first saw my atrophy, it was hard to believe (as in my shin bone was protruding).  But check ‘em out now:

This is four months after going into two shoes.

The repaired AT is pretty thick but getting more limber each day.  There is still a lack of strength and I can barely get up on a one-legged toe lift.   I know there is still a ways to go but, aside from not running yet, most things have returned to normal.

I hope this might be of some encouragement to all our unlucky newcomers…no matter how sucky it may seem, it will definitely get better.  Trust me on that one.  And I really can’t thank the blog enough for all the support–in terms of advice and encouragement.  Especially Dennis and Kristin.  And if you read this, Walshie, I’m back on the damn Nicorette.  New Year’s Resolution…yet again.  Here’s to a kickass 2009.

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I see that a lot of “old-timers” have recently posted and figured I hadn’t in a while myself.  As some of you know, I was a re-rupture AND had a wound complication.  But after the longest summer of my life, this past week has been a good one!

For the first time since the end of April, I left the house wearing two shoes.  And it felt terrific.  Also, I drove my Jeep–which is a standard and hasn’t been driven all summer.  The battery was dead but just needed to be recharged.

I have been doing a self rehab as my doctor, my very conservative doctor, has decided that I should not go to PT.  His main goal has been strengthening the AT with stretches, Theraband, a lot of boring time on an exercise bike and icing.  The AT feels great.  I have a little limp, which is to be expected, but no pain and little swelling.  Every day it seems like it gets a little bit looser.  I have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday and I’ll be curious if I even need PT at this point.

My wound also has been closing so very slowly.  It has gone from 10mm by 10mm down to 3mm by 3mm.  Fortunately, it is above the back of my shoe with the wedges I have so it has not been a big problem–aside from knowing I have a hole in my leg.  But the recent exercise has increased blood flow and more healing (the nicotine gum I have reverted back to probably doesn’t help–I know, Walshie, I know).  And just one more shout out to Kristin in Atlanta.  She was a bright light during the dark days of The Hole.  Her kids are lucky to have her as a mom and hope they got back home after I refused to answer the door (I did leave bus fare in an envelope).

Dennis’ post about playing basketball again got me thinking.  Once I am healed, I’m not sure I want to take a risk again because I’m not sure I can throttle down.  I’m sure that playing the same level as I did when I was in my twenties caused the ATR in the first place.  But we’ll cross that bridge–without a limp, of course–when we come to it.

Like everyone else in this family, I’ve been reading all the newcomers’ stories and can only add that it does indeed get better, much better, down that road.

–Dave with the almost good left foot

PS. No kids were abandoned during the course of this AT recovery.  It’s an inside joke if any of you are horrified.

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They say the group is always smarter than the individual.  So I thought I’d throw this one out to y’all.

I had an open wound from my second surgery.  It has finally scabbed over by leaving it out of the boot and exposed to air.  Certainly has taken awhile…over a month.  Fortunately, no infection.

My question:  now that it has scabbed over, do I treat the scab with anything (Neosporin, etc.)?

My doctor was unhelpful about this.  I’d love to know what any of you did or would suggest.  And, I know, you aren’t doctors and any advice is taken at my own risk…

Here’s a photo (sorry if it’s gross but it looks a million times better than it did at beginning of week):

Thanks in advance for any advice!

UPDATE:  Here is what it looks like at two months:

It’s getting better but sloooooooooowly.

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F@&#…apparently I’m now in the 1-2%.

Was at a party Saturday evening and, wearing the boot, stepped on the edge of a sidewalk.  Heard the POP again and went down.  Knew something was wrong, obviously.  Went to the doctor on Tuesday with tenderness above the surgical site.  Was able to press down with my foot but he wanted a MRI to check it out.  Had the MRI this morning and the preliminary report is that I have ruptured the Achilles again…above the previous tear.  The doctor is waiting to see the scan himself but we have scheduled surgery for Friday.

It’s really unbelievable to me.  Six weeks ago, everything is fine.  Now, I’m going in for my second surgery.  Before the first rupture, my mis-step probably wouldn’t have even caused a twisted ankle.

It’s hard for me to figure this out.  I thought the boot would afford better protection.  I was told that short of jumping off the dining room table the tendon was strong enough to withstand stress.  I have been diligently doing all the prescribed protocol.  I was supposed to start wearing two-shoes this week.  At least my doctor feels badly about this as apparently this is the first time he’s had this happen.  As he’s leaving the practice next week, he offered to hand me over to his associate.  I figure if he’s never had this happen twice, what are the chances of a third time then.

In any case, I am not looking for pity…I know everyone here cares.  Just wanted to share the bad news along with the good.  And I truly hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else here.  Needless to say, I will be taking a much less aggressive rehab approach this time around.  There goes my summer…again.

Achilles 2, Dave 0…spotting that little bastard a lead but I’ll win this battle.

dl

PS. Dennis, do I have to buy two t-shirts now?

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Third PT appointment and I was allowed to get on the recumbent bike for ten minutes…without my boot.  Man, it felt good.  I have probably 50% more ROM already then when I started last week.  The scar is just about healed and looks good.  I should be able to get it wet (a real shower!) by this weekend.  Here’s a picture of it:

ATR Repair at Day 22

There is still some swelling in the foot and the bruise is slow to disappear but the AT seems strong.  I am now doing out of boot exercises at home including toe curls with a towel to keep the muscles in the foot working.  Not to rub it in to anyone stuck in a cast but the best part of this protocol is taking the boot off at night.  I still wrap the ankle in an Ace bandage for protection.

I mentioned in my last post that I was taking SuperCissus RX which is a joint supplement.  I can’t say that it has drastically improved anything but the soreness in my good heel/AT is pretty much gone.  Of course, that could simply be my body adjusting to the extra stress that I had been putting on it.  Also, I am PWB so that lessens the weight on the good side as well.  I plan to continue taking the supplement through at least Week 12.  Wish I could recommend it one way or the other.

Now that I have tasted the pedals of a bike again, I am going to buy one.  I know we have a lot of cyclists here and was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a bike.  I was looking at the comfort/hybrid/urban bikes.  My old routine was to walk two to four miles a day to run errands.  I still want to do that but a bike will be easier.  Main use will be roads and the beach bike paths on occasion.  Plus, until I am road worthy, I will probably get an indoor trainer for home exercise.  Any tips or thoughts would be appreciated.

Keep up the good work, y’all.  You will be back on two feet before you know it.  I promise.

dave

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