So my blog begin. I am a very active 55-year old - perhaps sometimes too active! I bike over 2,000 miles/year and usually ski 30+ days per year. My adventure began in what I always viewed as my “safest” sport.
The Injury:
I ruptured my left achilles playing doubles tennis on April 3rd. About an hour into the match, took a quick step and the next thing I knew I was face down on the court wondering what just hit me. When my playing partner said nothing, I kind of knew waht had just happened. The pain ebbed very fast, but an overwhelming sadness immediatly set in of all the plans that just went up in the air…… I was able to hobble to my car and drive home, and even hobbled to work the next day.
THe Diagnosis:
I went to my GP on Friday the 4th, and he confirmed my fear with the Thompson Test, at least a major tear. I was put in a boot and the MRI was scheduled for the next Monday. Had the MRI on Monday but had to wait until my appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday to know the results (those MRI guys are trained well - they give out no scoop at all………). Met with the surgeon on Tuesday the 8th. Given my lifestyle and the magnitude of the tear, surgery was the option. My only dissapointment was that I had to wait until the 16th for surgery. So, back hobbling in the boot and waiting - it seemed like forever!!
The Surgery:
I had my surgery at Kaiser Sunnyside on WEdnesday the 118th. I did it with a nerve block at my knee and a sedative (I think the one that caused Michael Jackson’s untimely death). The surgery took about an hour, and I was home by 7:30. With the nerve block still in place, I slept like a baby. On Thursday, as the nerve block wore off the pain increased, to a 9 on a scale of 10. Needless to say, Thursday was a long night. I tried the Oxycintin, but it just made me feel worse. Luckily, the pain quickly subsided on Friday, and I was able to control the pain with advil from that point forward. I spent the weekend watching perhaps more TV than I have watched in a year!
Back to Work:
I went back to work on Monday. I have a short commute, can drive because it is my left achilles, and have a desk job with many kind people helping me out. I try to keep my leg elevated as much as I can. It is good to be at work, as it keeps my mind busy! That said, I am exhausted at the end of the day!
THe First Fall:
Last night, I had to go the a friend’s son’s bithday party. It was poring out, and my 18-year old son offered to drive. As I went to get in the passenger door, my cructh slipped on a wet brick. From other posts, I refrained from putting out my left leg, and instead just did a “tuck and roll”. The result - I unceremoniusly landed in a 2″ deep mud puddle. I did not know wheter to laugh or cry. Once I saw the panicked look on my son’s face, I decided laughter was the way to go. Back into the house, dry off, change clothes, and try again!!
Next Steps:
See my surgeon next Tuesday. If all looks good, stitches come out and I go PWB in a walking boot. Fingers crossed!!
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