Dec 03 2008
Let it snow, let it snow, Go Slow!
I woke up to see it snowing pretty good up here in northern Colorado. We had about 4 inches by noon with it coming down pretty good as I was getting ready to leave to take my son to school. He takes a couple classes in a brick and mortar school (we homeshool the rest) & he was kind enough to shovel a pathway to the car so I wouldn’t go slip sliding away! Last thing I want! Took it pretty slow down the driveway to the car! Took it even slower on the interstate as it was snow covered and a car that had slid off into a ditch was one of the first sights to “greet” us as we came on the on ramp. We had some idiots zipping by us on the snow covered road despite 5 or 6 accidents within the 1st 2 miles! Made me think of able bodied people that zipped by me when I was crutching around or hobbling on my boot. Though it was treacherous driving, it was nice TO BE driving!
After I drop my son off, I head to the rec center to do some treadmill work where I’m still working on my gait. Practiced trying to jog verrry easy though. I lift weights and also working on some leg presses and heel stretches, core strengthening then it’s off to the bike for a few miles. When that’s done, I’ve been swimming laps as well as hopping & jumping (!) in the pool. Sure feels strange to have that feeling again after so long being groundbound! When I kick I can feel the push on my Achilles but no pain. No pain or even twinges when I kick off the wall! By the end of that, my leg is feeling pretty wimpy, swollen a bit and tired.
Down to 1 a week PT sessions now. We start off with the usual laser and ultrasound. The laser is supposed to help the cells’ ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is largely responsible for supplying cells with energy. This is supposed to help it heal and aid in pain reduction. It seems to have helped the keloid to lessen in color and the scar tissue thickness also. Then the best part is the massage. Ahhhh! Until the head therapist decides to mash on it. Hurts good though. Today she tried something new. A neuroprobe. That did NOT hurt good. I wasn’t sure what to expect so was taken by surprise when she stuck that sucker over the most sensitive part of my scar. Made me jump as it felt like a electrical shock, but then I guess, it was. Most of the time, when she had it dialed in right, it felt kind of like a pin prick but not as irritating. Then the usual slant board, shuttle, dome, Baps and rebounder. My leg feels like jello afterwards.
At the end of the day, lots of icing with the cryocuff. Ahhhh. Even on a cold day like this it still feels great. My son jokes about just dunking it in the snow. Tonight it’s supposed to go down to about 8 degrees. Brrr.
6 Responses to “Let it snow, let it snow, Go Slow!”
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Hey GW0508: I am from Colorado and a fellow ATR/home schooler too! Do you ever go to the CHEC conference in June or does your family read Lamplighters?
-Smish
Haven’t been to a CHEC conference for a while now. I’m closer to the WY border than Denver! Haven’t heard of Lamplighters. I’ll have to look that up! I’ve only got the one in home school now. He’s got ADHD and we didn’t want to put him in a public school all day where they’d want to drug him. Kind of a strange feeling to only have just 1 left now. All 5 of my guys did at one time. My eldest graduated home school. My 1 left has explored PT as a future career as he’s seen 1st hand what it takes to recoup from this! Ah home schoolers- making life lessons out of almost anything!
How far along are you in this ATR trek?
gw0508: I first ruptured July of 06. Had surgery but never quite healed right. Went to a specialist May of 08 and found all kinds of other issues. Had second surgery at the end of July this year on the same foot. He basically did a reconstruction with lengthening and re-shaped my heel bone. So far, I am really happy with the results of my second surgery. Now I am scheduled (end of January) to have the reconstruction done on my other foot. I have all of the same problems on that foot but I just haven’t ruptured it completely yet. I would like to avoid that. I am looking forward to getting this over with and I am really optimistic because my fixed foot is feeling so much better than I ever thought it would again. Where exactly are you on the recovery timeline?
You haven’t missed much by not coming to the CHEC conferences lately. I really think they need to get some new stuff in there. Sounds like you are almost finished with the whole home school thing anyways. I actually just finished myself. My oldest is finishing his 2 year transfer degree this semester. We just had the boys go to the Junior College near our house because it was easy and because they were so young when they started. My youngest is now full time at the college and he is a little over half way done with his Freshman year . I loved home schooling and would do it again in a heart beat. Did you enjoy it too?
I ruptured July 23 this year but my insurance guys didn’t get their act in gear & send me to the right doc to get it taken care of until Sept! I had surgery Sep16 and am 11 weeks post-surgery. You can see the sad saga on my blog.
I’ve loved home schooling and am sad to see the end is near but excited to see my guys on their way. We’ve home schooled our way across the country & enjoyed great experiences! Now what? What about you? How’s life after HS treating you other than prospects of more ATR surgery?! I must have missed your blog to check on your past posts. I’m contemplating going off to college again as no one wants an old PE teacher any more these days.
gw0508: I never set up my own blog. I just do comments. My story is boring anyway.
This semester is my first semester not teaching and I have spent the entire time trying to get my feet under me as my surgery was at the end of July. I agree, it is nice to see the kids doing well and spreading their wings. I really don’t know what I will be doing eventually. I have worked for the last 15 years as a strength and agility coach/trainer but the Achilles situation is putting an end to that. I know I need to go back to college but I don’t really know what for. I also work/volunteer at a retirement home and I also work part time for Lamplighter. My husband keeps telling me to just take my time and don’t worry about “doing” anything right away. What about you? What do you think you might get into?
Life after ATR and kids. Hmm. Tough one. Still contemplating but actually been thinking about PT for quite a while. Maybe as an aide/assistant? Not sure.