Yo Mom…you missed my heel!

December 23rd I finally got permission to move to two shoes…the only problem was that I couldn’t wear the pair that I brought to my appointment.  My foot as resting at normal, so the surgeon wasn’t worried about any heel lifts, however, there is a small spot on my incision that just won’t completely heal.  His suggestion was to wear open back shoes, or at least shoes that came lower in the back.  Unfortunately, my tennis shoes hit right where the unhealed section is. I asked again about physical therapy, and he said we could talk about it in three weeks, but he wanted to first try to heel up the incision completely.  He did, however, ok the stationary bike.

It was great to wear 2 shoes on Christmas, but I realized how much slower I’d become (I could really book it in the boot).  I find that I am walking better every day, and I’m not as sore as I thought I would be.  Without the boot to rub up against it seems that my incision is finally healing up (I’ll keep my fingers crossed)

The big moment for me was being able to get up in the middle of the night and not grab the crutches to head towards the bathroom…even bigger was getting to step foot into the YMCA again.  The first 5 minutes on the bike hurt, but it didn’t feel like a bad hurt- it felt like using muscles and stretching places I haven’t stretched in a while.  After the first 5 minutes it seemed to loosen up a lot.  The last five started to get a bit sore, but all in all it felt good.  I even felt like I was limping a bit less when I got off the bike.

I hope all of you had a great Christmas (or Hanukkah) and got everything you deserved.  My next goal is to step up onto the Wii Fit and try out some of the easier games.  My New Year’s Resolution will be to complete a Sprint Triathlon before the end of the year.  I wanted to set a goal to participate in the Cellcom Mini Marathon (May 12th- 2.62 miles), but that may be a bit of a stretch.  I also hope to compete in the teacher/senior softball game that is a part of a scholarship fundraiser (on May 21st).  But if there’s one thing I’ve learned it is to take things in stride, and accept things as they come.

Here’s to walking into the new year on my own two feet.

Deanne  (aka DREAMS)

So my next appointment is December 23 and my surgeon told me to bring a pair of shoes.  What a great Christmas present:)My question though is …what type of shoes work best.  My first inclination is to bring my tennis shoes along, but do I need something with more of a heel, or more ankle support?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have decided (based mostly on the comments from this board) to ask the doctor to change his mind about ‘no need for pt’.  Most people I have talked to seem to think I should have no problem getting a prescription for at least an evaluation.

Walking has been going well.  I have notices a bit more swelling, but I expected that. I was sick of waiting for the elevator the other day so I tried taking the stairs.  I realized that if the school started on fire…I’d probably go up in flames.  I still have one very small spot on my incision that won’t completely heal…it gets almost scabbed over and then starts to bleed again.

I just want to thank everyone on this board for being so supportive and positive.  I truly feel like I know most of the regulars to this board…and I find myself cheering the positives and feeling true sympathy for the setbacks.  Here’s to an injury free new year:)

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

On Tuesday I was given the ‘go ahead’ to move to FWB. I took a few steps here and there on Wednesday, and on Thursday I didn’t use the crutches while moving around my classroom.  However, there were two very simple activities in the past two days that gave me great joy.  The first was being able to carry my soda from the kitchen table to the couch.  The second happened just a few hours ago when I got to carry a real purse to the store, push the cart, and carry my own bags back to the car.  There have been plenty of ‘downers’ over the past 7 weeks, but I have learned to find joy in the little things.

On the healing end of things…I have read recently about some feeling a burning in their heel…I had the same feeling after being on my feet for a while…does anyone know what causes this?

Happy Healing

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

So I went in for a check-up today, and my surgeon said I could start putting as much weight as I can handle with the boot on.  If all goes well I will move to two shoes on December 23rd.  When I asked about PT he said that my foot was healing well and the fact that my I am at neutral without any stretches means that I won’t need PT.  Is this normal?  I belong to the YMCA and could certainly do walking and other things on my own…is there truly no need for a PT?

On the other end of the issue is a small spot of my wound that keeps getting pulled open before it is completely healed.  I am now putting gauze pads on it and wrapping it with an ACE bandage so that it doesn’t rub open.  The good news is that it is not infected…just irritated.  Hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday season.

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

Ok…so last week my surgeon told me 25% for 2 weeks…then 50% for a week, and 75% the next.  I’m not very good at the guesstimating the weight thing, and I’m sure that I’m putting more than 25% on it at times.  I kinda figured that pain or at least some soreness would prevent me from overdoing it.  The problem is that I haven’t felt any pain, or even been sore.  Even on Black Friday (in line at Target by 3:45 and spent the next 3 hours standing in line and walking through stores), I had very little swelling, and almost no soreness.  Have other people experienced this?  I hate to say it, but I’m almost worried about the lack of pain.  I know I have a high tolerance…but doesn’t the line ‘no pain no gain’ come into play here somewhere.

I go back to the doctor next week…so I guess I’ll find out then, until then…I guess I’ll just try to enjoy the comfort.

Deanne (aka DREAMS)