hoppymodo’s AchillesBlog

Hello blog readers, from my computer desk as I recover at home (leg elevated on desk, of course).

I was all active and busy (mostly filing receipts!) till lunchtime yesterday then a wave of listlessness hit and I sat on the couch all afternoon, and had an early night. Slept very well. Today I feel “woolly-headed” (possibly anaesthetic still wearing off. My digestive system is backed up too!) but more lively. I can do all the leg-raising exercises to prevent my thighs from dissolving into jelly, like I presume my right calf is doing inside the boot…

The repaired leg feels pretty good actually, just an occasional pin-prickly sensation where I imagine it was sewn up. Haven’t been game to open up the boot. On the first day at home I had 2 Panamax every 4 hours, except at 8pm and 6am when it felt like I was “caught in a beartrap”!! I turned to Tramadol (which worked!). But it’s been more than 24 hours without drugs! I’m HEALING!

For the record: I was dispensed three levels of painkillers
1. Panamax: 50mg Paracetemol (take 2 every 4 hours)
2. Tramadol: 5mg Tramadol Hydrochloride (take 2 if previous wasn’t effective. Document says this analgesic is non-addictive, Google says otherwise)
3. Endone: 5mg Oxycodone Hydrocholoride (take if previous wasn’t effective. Comes with lots of side effects! I didn’t feel that I had to take any - except for the one given to me when I woke up from surgery)

And boxes of 20 Fragmin anticoagulant needles. All up, pharmaceuticals cost me just $31 from the Hospital.

The boot is an “MC Walker” with 5 velcro straps and a hinge, set at 30 degrees Plantar Flexion (toes pointed down). It’s a great weight for thigh exercises. I rest it on a towel so it doesn’t rip up the couch and pillows.