5 weeks and 5 days
Another week has passed, and the crutches have been put away. In fact I put them away last Monday (a week ago), and started using a cane a friend of mine is letting me use.
Friday my daughter (a junior in high school) had a band performance/competition at Elitches-Six Flags, the local amusement park. I had volunteered to chaperone the trip months ago, and while I could have gotten out of it, I didn’t even ask… I wanted to go.
I’ve done it before, but knew this time would be different, as I wouldn’t be able to keep up with her and her friends, let alone ride the rides. Or so I thought.
I didn’t ride many of the rides, but did ride three I think. Actually only two now that I think about it. I rode a new ride called the “Brain Drain”. A circular roller coaster, that just goes around in a circle, upside down. No shaking or back and forth… Just one big loop, seven stories tall. You go back and forth until you have enough power to go upside down, then after a few “loops”, you do it again, but in the other direction. No pain at all.
The other ride was one of their extreme rides (meaning they charge you extra). I had purchased tickets for my daughter and her best friend, but then the ride was temporarily closed due to weather, and her friend had to leave before the ride reopened. I took it as a sign that I should ride it.
It’s called the “Sling-Shot”, and it’s a two-seat ride with the seats pulled back like a sling shot and you are launched skyward. No idea how high, but I’ve been on it before and felt that the amount of movement and shaking would be ok. And it was. Again no pain.
The biggest pain was the amount of walking. I survived though, but couldn’t wait to get home and relax.
At home, I removed one full wedge in my boot, and stopped using the cane.
On Saturday morning, after really not feeling any difference with the first wedge removed, I removed the second (and final) wedge without any issues.
On both Saturday and Sunday I carefully walked around the house barefooted, without any real issues. In fact it felt nice to be walking on level ground again.
My plan for the week is to go with no wedges, and no cane or crutches.
I start PT on Thursday, and am interested in what the next step to recovery is, as I can’t believe how skinny my right calf is.
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Hugh, you are living on the edge, man! I’m glad you’re recovery is going well, though, and will be interested to see what your 1st PT appointment is like. -David
Sounds great to me - but do watch your step!
Hugh, I was so inspired by your post that I dropped everything at work, checked out a conference room, shut the door, removed my boot and … tried a few steps myself. It works!!! At this point I am confident I will be walking again soon! Hurray!
I’ve been doing the same thing. I started walking without my crutches way before I was supposed to and I feel okay unless I do too much walking. I walk around the house with my boot off too. Please tell us how your PT goes!