Yo Mom…you missed my heel!

So…I started PT this week (12 and a half weeks post op)- the good news is that with the stretching and strengthening exercises, my swelling seems to be going down.  The bad news is that the spot on my wound is acting up again.  Seriously- almost 13 weeks and it’s not healed yet.  I feel like there should be some worry, but no one seems concerned. Should I be concerned…or am I over reacting.  It doesn’t seem to be infected yet at times it feels irritated (kind of like me).  Does anyone have experience with a slow healing wound (not the whole thing- just a small part).  Right now I am covering it with a band-aid during the day, and airing it out at night.  I can’t decide if it needs to be covered more….or aired out more.  I’ve been told to put nothing on it, but when I use neosporin (sp) on my other cuts and scrapes they seem to heal much faster.  Does anyone know why this isn’t recommended for surgical wounds?  Well- at this point I don’t see my PT for another week, and I don’t see my doctor for another 4 weeks, I guess it’s still just a wait and see game.

On a side note…I can’t seem to walk without a pronounced limp.  My PT said that my brain was still holding my injured foot like it was in the boot.  As a test she turned me around on the treadmill and had me walk backwards - no limp.  I guess my brain is just as stubborn as I am:) I was waiting for PT to be this torture that everyone talks about, but I found the challenges to be …well…challenging (in a good way).  I never felt I was pushed to the point of frustration, and other than being a bit sore last night, I really didn’t experience much pain.  So as a note to all of you who have not reached the PT stage…no reason to fret.

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

So I had my PT eval today.  Apparently my biggest problem right now is the swelling.  I didn’t even notice how swollen my calf was until the therapist said something about putting my foot up several times a day.   There’s nothing like PT to prove just how impaired a person is.  My flexibility is almost non-existent, but the worst part was when the therapist asked me to stand on my left foot and raise my heel…I’m pretty sure that for a split second you could have moved a penny under my heel (but I could be just humoring myself).

The good news is that the pt thinks I should be able to progress fairly quickly.  She’s also checking with another therapist who specializes in wound care to see if she can help me with my slow healing wound.  For now I was sent home with some stretching and strengthening exercises.  Friday- it’s on the treadmill to work on my gait…it seems my limp may be semi-correctable.

All in all….I’m really glad that many of you pressed me to ask for PT….thanks for all the good advice.

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

I went to see my surgeon yesterday for yet another wound check.  For some reason I have a very small spot (less than an inch) that is taking  its dear sweet time to heal.  It is now close enough for my surgeon to approve physical therapy.  He was lukewarm on the idea, but I really don’t like the fact that I am limping significantly and it doesn’t seem to be getting better.  I have very little if any pain so I’m not sure if the limp is physical, or my minds way of avoiding injury.  I have been told on several different occasions that I need to be careful because of my high pain tolerance, and I think that I am overcompensating.  I am hoping that the PT will help me determine how far I can push things without causing injury.

I’m scheduled twice a week for six weeks.  Am I expecting too much to hope I can take the stairs by the end of the 6 weeks, and walk without a significant limp?  My primary goal is to be able to join my cousin in the Zoomba class by the end of the 6 weeks.  I also want to play in a charity softball game in May.

Those who have been through the whole process.  Did you ever feel like you were back 100%?  and Did you return to the activity you were doing when you ruptured your Achilles?  I was playing volleyball…and I’m suppose to coach again next fall.  At this point I am most worried that I won’t be able to get past the thought that it could happen again.

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

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)

First of all….Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Achilles gimps ;)- although I like getting together with family and eating turkey…my favorite holiday is tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I will be standing in line for over an hour on crutches

Ok…so at my 2 week post op my surgeon said everything was looking well.  He gave me the boot and told be to stay off the foot for two more weeks.  He told me to make an appointment for two weeks and at that point he would get me weight bearing and we would ‘move quickly to full weight bearing’.  Apparently his idea of quickly and mine are completely different.  I’m at 25% for two weeks at which point I have another appointment.  At that point he will move me to 50% for another week and then 75% for one more week.  That means by the time I’m walking (and starting physical therapy) I will be 8 weeks out of surgery.

He also denied my request for any type of ‘workout’.  He said ‘no’ to the recumbent bike because it would put too much stress on my Achilles, and although he would let me swim, I have a small section of my incision that is not completely healed so he doesn’t want me to have my ankle ’soaking’ in water.  It took me 4 1/2 months to lose 8 pounds (I am 40 pounds overweight) and I have now gained it all back plus 1.  I have never been good at dieting, and I’m afraid that I will have to go shopping for an entire new wardrobe by the time this ordeal is over.  I was so good about laughing things off and taking everything in stride for the first 4 weeks, but now I’ve become a horrible crabb ass and I feel like breaking into tears every time I think about 4 more weeks on crutches (and no visits to the YMCA).

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

Today I am officially 1 weeks away from PWB!!!  At my last appointment my surgeon said there is no reason why he didn’t foresee me going to PWB as tolerated at my November 25th appointment- I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas not knowing what exactly to expect, but knowing it’s going to be a good feeling.   I also am a bit nervous not knowing what my exact condition will be for Black Friday….we like to consider ourselves BF professionals so waiting until next week to really plan out is a bit bothersome…but I’m hoping to at least be able to balance well enough to grab items off the shelf.  Before that though  I have a few adventures to work my way through on crutches.  Our one-act team made it to the state theatre festival so I will spend the next three days attending performances and workshops and the next two nights in a hotel room (oh yeah….and three hours on a bus to get there).

I have been sleeping without the boot for two weeks now and I feel like I’m getting much better sleep than the first week with the splint on.   This may sound weird, but I can’t wait to start physical therapy- I just feel like if I could do something….anything…to work my way towards recovery.

I guess the fact that I haven’t posted in a while is a tribute to the fact that things have just been the same old same old.  Just out of curiosity….has anyone else noticed having ‘walking’ dreams.  At first I would wake up in a panic thinking I was re-injuring my Achilles….now I’m use to them, but they still come every other day or so.

I also finding myself  ‘forgetting’ about my situation every once in a while.  Monday I ran through McDonalds to grab a 32 ounce soda.  I pulled into the parking lot only to realize that there was no way I was getting the soda into the building.  The soda sat in my van all day…and I ended up buying a few cans out of the soda machine on my way in.

Deanne (aka DREAMS)