Posted on December 26th, 2008 by denny
I had the cast removed on Monday (five days ago) and I think I’ve done great since then. I am FWB although I’ve been using crutches to help stabilize my movements around the house. My only problem, if it is one, is that my foot came out of the cast swollen (not grotesquely so) and a little bruised. I thought this was a little odd after six weeks but my doctor didn’t seem worried. Now after five days post-cast my foot is still swollen more than I thought it would be and it seems a little warmer than usual. I don’t know if this is in my head or what. I wonder what the “normal” feeling should be like after five days of no cast. My next appointment isn’t until 10 days from now and PT starts in three days. Hopefully I’ll get a better idea of what my foot should be like then. I hate to cry :wolf” without a reason, but I do have a little concern.
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Posted on December 22nd, 2008 by denny
My cast came off this morning, xrays were taken and the doctor was very happy with both her work and my progress. So the next phase begins.
I have bypassed the PWB phase and entered directly into the FWB phase. Or I should say that I’m now permitted to put full weight on my foot with the boot on, I’m just not able to do it with any degree of confidence. That will come later. I’m supposed to start PT immediately but when I called to make an appointment, they said they are full up. I certainly can understand that considering there are only a couple days before Christmas. In the meantime, I’ll continue to use crutches, but more to stabilize me than to propel me forward. There certainly is a degree of pain when I try to move forward without aid. Nothing too bad, but I’m not going to rush it.
I’m surprised how heavy the boot is. I thought it would be about the same as the cast but there is a huge difference in weight. I’ll get used to it, though.
For years I’ve been kidded about how skinny my legs are, two toothpicks in an olive sort of thing. I can’t even say that anymore. I’m totally amazed at how skinny my leg is from calf to ankle. It’s almost as if there is nothing but skin and bone. I bet that my leg has shrunk by about 1/4-1/3.
I just got a call from Rehab and my first appointment is on the 29th, a week from today. That should be a lot of fun.
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Posted on December 15th, 2008 by denny
The good news is that there is nothing new to report for this past week. The bad news is that I’ve read all my magazines, several books, and I’m using my Kindle a great deal. Also, and probably the worst thing, is I’ve noticed that my belly seems to be expanding. My wife is an excellent cook and, being from old style southern stock, constantly overfills my plate. Naturally, I protest about eating too much (yeah, right!) but she shows no mercy.
I’m convinced that I could walk right now, less than four weeks post-op. I have no intention of trying, but everything is going frighteningly well. No pain at all, just a “feeling” where the incision is. I’m convinced that some of the inner wrapping may be slightly wrinkled, but no big thing.
For those who haven’t tried it, I can’t say enough for the product (sorry I can’t remember the name - just Google cast protector) that I slip over my cast to take a shower. I simply remove the air inside the cast protector and the cast stays dry as a bone. No more home-brewed garbage bags that leak. This device is wonderful!
Next Monday is when my cast omes off and I put on a boot. I’ll report after that happens.
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Posted on December 8th, 2008 by denny
My wife and I went to the RV this past week to exercise all the systems, just like I normally do the first part of every month. I didn’t get out of the car because I wasn’t sure of myself on gravel, but stayed in the car while she performed all the duties. After we got home, we took a ride around the area in my golf cart just so I could get outside for a little while. It’s funny how little things can bring so much pleasure. The last time I felt like this was during the Vietnam war when I was in an oxygen tent for nine weeks, in a room with no windows. Seeing the outside after that time thrilled me. This time was similar although I didn’t have to go through as much to realize the pleasure.
Thank God for my wife! She has made all the meals and done all the errands, even cleaning up dog poop while I’m sitting on my kiester all the time. This sort of thing could test a marriage, but I guess after 34 years I can say we will probably stay together for a while longer!
I’m convinced that after 26 days (today), I could stand on both legs. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to try, but I feel that good. No pain in my achilles whatsoever other than the normal random electrical shock that passes through. The only pain is the one in my butt if I sit in the same position too long.
Two more weeks before the cast comes off and I can begin to lead a semi-normal life again.
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Posted on December 1st, 2008 by denny
Actually, it’s been one week since my cast was put on, not taken off. In that time, I’ve continued to have a very uneventful recovery with no problems. I’ve been sleeping in my own bed and that has made things easier as, when I wake up in the morning there has been zero pain. Actually, I’ve had little or no pain for about a week now, with the only exception being the decreasing amount of “electric shocks” that randomly attack my heel area. I’m taking no pain medication for the AT surgery anymore.
I’m trying to spend less time with my foot elevated in an attempt to get used to it, but I still spend at least 75-80% of each day with it elevated. I’m going to start going on short trips with my wife - to the grocery, visit friends, etc., to see how that goes. I still haven’t used crutches other than one time but I guess I’m going to have to start. My strength is really way down and there are only so many exercises one can do while seated. I think I’m also gaining weight, so I need to nip that in the bud as well.
Only three more weeks with this case and then the “boot”. Hopefully my wife’s patience with me will last that long!
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Posted on November 25th, 2008 by denny
Yesterday was my first milestone post-surgery. My doctor removed my splint and replaced it with a hard cast which I will be wearing for four weeks. She said there was no unusual swelling, no infection and that everything looked great. Obviously a plus for me.
I’m now allowed to at least rest my foot on the ground, as long as there is absolutely no weight being placed on it. This is wonderful in that I can now eat at the dinner table rather than having all my meals brought to me in my recliner. My knee walker continues to be a God-send as I went for a “walk” with my wife outside. I just scooted about 200 yards in total, but it was a start.
I’ve been sleeping on a couch since this started but will transfer to the bed starting this evening. It takes me about 2-3 minutes to finally settle down my body in bed so this will inconvenience my wife, but after 34 years of bliss this is what we both want. I’ve seen some ads for a cast protector that one can wear even while swimming. I want to buy one but She Who Must be Obeyed says she has another idea that we need to try first, so I guess I’ll do that next.
Pain is mostly gone except for the random “electric shock” that seems to attack my incision. It gets my attention but doesn’t cause anything lasting.
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Posted on November 20th, 2008 by denny
I had my surgery on 10 Nov and it was successful. It took me a couple days to get over the effects of the GA and I’m still undergoing a minimum amount of pain, more aggrevating than anything else. So far I’m using my normal hydrocodone (which I use for an unrelated problem) and occasionally a tramadol tablet.
My soft splint was checked by my surgeon on Monday and redone and she will put me in a hard cast this coming Monday for four weeks. I guess that after that it will be a long time of rehab.
Unlike most of you, I didn’t repture my AT. I was first bothered by a bone spur about a year ago and despite all my efforts it got to the point where surgery was necessary. Perhaps not rupturing it is the reason my surgeon is so optimistic that I will be “fully” recovered within 4-6 months. At that time what “fully” means is open to interpretation. I really don’t expect to be back to normal for 9-12 months.
Thank God for a knee walker! I’ve only used crutches once since the surgery and really don’t plan to use them at all from now on. With the knee walker I can scoot around most anywhere I want with no problem. If I could figure a way to harness my Golden Retriever to it, I’d really have some fun.
I’ve found out the hard way that certain bodily functions are much easier to do on two legs than one. However, I’ve turned myself into a contostionist for the present time and it seems to be working. I’ll be glad when I can at least be PWB.
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Posted on November 20th, 2008 by denny
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