Summer of No Fun

Today at PT I had excruciating pain and “hardness” around my ankle when trying to do heel raises on the shuttle machine and from standing. The seated lifts were not as bad. May have some irritation of the tendon that runs up behind the ankle on the outside of the leg (haven’t looked it up yet).

I have been walking well around the house and short distances without the crutches for the last week, swam last friday and wore shoes (dansko clogs) besides sneakers over the weekend. Have been teaching piano at home again, and only icing in the evenings. All this combined to be too much too soon after 14 weeks of NWB, and I am now back on crutches, and cutting my schedule in half.

Cried (but only for a second, I swear to god I am done with that), and then did some stretches and more seated heel raises. My flexibility remains good, thank heavens I haven’t lost any of that…it was hard won!

My fantastic PT is optimistic that with some rest and careful exercise, I may feel back to where I was a few days ago (when I felt fantastic and very positive) next week. So forward and back, I am still thrilled to be doing what I can, and will continue to press forward to add new activities…but listening to my body, and learning the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly pain.

Swam today for the first time since July 12.

Felt amazing to be in the water, after months of lame showers sitting on a chair.

Did about 10 laps, but just arms, as I was surprised how much kicking hurt my achilles. I have made so much progress in PT, I was on a real high. But kicking was just too much, and I was warned that there is a certain pain in another tendon running up the outside of the leg above the ankle bone, that I was NOT supposed to “push through”, so I used one of those floaty things to hold up my legs and just dragged my ass through the water with my arms. Man, it felt good. Breathe, pull, pull, pull, breathe, pull. Plus, I got to hang out with the family at the pool, and see my kids swimming like fish (little D could barely get his head under water the last time we were at the pool!)

But the BEST part was the hot tub. @#$%&*! That was bliss. Pure bliss.

Getting in was pretty easy, getting out, too. My upper body is stronger than I thought, even though I mostly used the scooter, not crutches. Only really awkward moment was trying to stand up with one leg from a seated position on the ground by the pool, with nothing to use for leverage. Graceful? NOT! Worth it? YES!

Didn’t realize how hard I had worked until I got home a few minutes ago. No pain, if your pain threshold is high, but almost unbearable stiffness…but still worth it. Nothing a little ice can’t cure.

Can’t wait until next week. Pour me another one. Cheers.