An Ironman’s recovery from an Achilles Tendon Rupture

I had surgery at 11 am on Sunday June 1, and after 2 days of relaxation and leg elevation at home (my wife has been a saint–only if I could get this type of service all the time), I returned to work (high school teacher) on Wednesday (today).

Being back to work was a big struggle. In a job that entails being on your feet for the majority of the day, I had to balance that with my need to keep weight off the left leg, and to keep that leg elevated as much as I can.

I found out real early that I could only tolerate being on my crutches for 5 minutes at a time. After such a time period, blood rushed down to my toes, they turned purple and swelled right up. As soon as I elevated that leg, the colour (this how we spell it in Canada) went back to normal.

Thankfully, my students were helpful, understanding and sympathetic. There were a few smartarses but it was all in good fun.

By the end of the school day I was dead tired. I seriously considered calling my doctor to beg for a doctor’s note to allow me to get a week off work to recover. Another teacher at my school is going through the same thing and she is still at home (she ruptured her Achilles at least 1 week before I did). But I’m tough right????

After work, my wife and I treated ourselves to a visit to a local coffee shop (Mug and Truffle Cafe) to reward ourselves for the ordeal we’ve been put through for almost a week. The latte, hot chocolate and Montreal smoked meat sandwich was great.

Back at home, went to sleep immediately, waking up many hours later to have dinner and make this entry.

I’m still staying away from the painkillers, but I may bring some Tylenol with me tomorrow because the pain does seem to be increasing at my stitch sites.

Off to more resting and recovery.

Good luck to all.