(Almost) 4 month update…
Hey gang - haven’t been writing much because, well, while this injury remains front of mind, nothing “dramatic” has been happening. Here is the update:
PT continues to go well - I am supposed to go 3x/week but, given work schedules, it has been more like 2x/week. I go at 7 AM a block from my office so I can still get into the office by 8:30 AM. The program consists of: 10 minutes on the eliptical (no resistance yet); 5 minutes backwards on the treadmill on an incline; calf/tendon stretches on an incline board; leg presses, including releasing with only one leg; leg curls; step-ups; heel raises; blanacing on a wobble board and one-legged balancing on a foam thingie; ball squats (HATE those); cross-band walking; ultrasound; massage and manipulation; and finally, ice and electric stimulation. Each session takes almost 90 minutes and, while I am sore after each session, it feels great. The range of motion is definitely good and the swelling is down. The tendon is still very tight, but loosens up much more quickly and easily when I stretch it.
I have started back at the gym where I use the elliptical and treadmill on PT “off” days and some upper body work. Sadly, my arms, chest and shoulders have suffered from being away from the gym for so long, but so be it. The goal is to be able to do the vast majority of my PT exercises in the gyma nd only go to PT 1x/week or less - I am probably a month or two away from that.
While I still wear my New Balance walkers and white athletic ankle socks to work, I have real shoes and socks in the office for meetings, and can wear them. I walked 1/2 mile to a meeting today in real shoes, and still have them on now! They are feeling pretty good, actually.
The biggest remaining issue I have are these annoying blisters I am getting on the sides and bottom of my ATR foot. Not sure if its wearing a shoe made of man-made material causing my foot not to “breathe” or the swelling - it definitely gets worse when I am more active. The blisters pop and leave sores that are uncomfortable. They also itch like crazy. Maybe its something dermatological - who knows. Anyone else have this??
The calf muscle is getting better, but still not back to where it needs to be. I can do steps pretty well - if I am barefoot, I sometimes have to limp down steps. Walking with a slight limp which I can eliminate if I concentrate.
Still undecided if I am going back to softball. Right now, my focus is to get to where I can do a cardio exercise for 20-30 minutes running. Treadmill would be best, but I’ll take the eliptical.
Scar is ugly as ever and still bumpy at the bottom where I had the incision issues. Staying closed though.
Loving the friends I have made on this site (that’s you kkdub)!! Great people who help keep me driving towards what we need to do to recover.
4 months down, a lifetime to go.
Ed
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Your self-talk about being younger and in better shape is so true. I try not to compare myself to others who are doing a lot more than I am, but it’s tough.
now we look forward to hearing about your party when your last scab falls off! 
Ed,
Glad to hear things are moving forward. The blisters can be a result of you walking differently as compared to pre ATR. You should callous up with time. Are you wearing old shoes?? Probably a good idea to get some new ones.
Keep up the good work
Doc Ross
Doc - thanks for the note - wearing new shoes - these are not “rubbing” blisters - they seem more connected to the swelling and sweating…
We’ll see how things are as the swelling continues to reduce.
Ed
I am in 12th week, walking two-shoes FWB since my 8th week, and I too have small bumps on my ATR heel and sides of the heel. I’m not sure I would call them blisters, and they have not popped, but by the end of a day, it is not the tendon but the heel which is hurting, quite sensitive on the bottom and “bumpy” all around it. I hope it is just the nerve system there recovering through daily walking.
Meanwhile, limping along…. Those blisters sound nasty! and itchy? Not what I see on my heel, but who knows - you are probably giving yourself more of a workout.
Mary