I realized how much I missed driving.
Yesterday, a co-worker and myself decided to do a little shopping. After the calling around to the stores to see who had a scooter, we hit Walmart and Target. I needed to get out of the house and to also prepare myself for my first day back at work on Monday after a month of sitting on the couch. Getting out of the house wasn’t too bad. The most tiring part was getting everything ready to go (GPS, Purse, cell phone, etc.), and of course the mad hunt for my car keys. Since my ATR was on the left leg, I had no problems driving. The most awkward part was to figure out how to position my leg. I suggest anyone with this injury get a handicapped permit becuase it is fantastic. Also, Target’s scooter is much faster then Walmart’s. If you need to go out, go to Target, its fun because the Scooter is fast :) You can zip around the store and run the people over who are rude and don’t get out of your way, or run over the people that continually stare at you.
The hardest part of yesterday was getting back into my house. I was so tired. I have a few steps in the front of my house that I need to get up. Normally, I don’t have any problems, but yesterday my good leg was just so tired, but I did it. I don’t use my crutches to go up and down steps. The front of my house has railings, so I use the railings to balance myself. It is much easier that way. My house is an old brick house built in the early 1900s, which means the steps to the second floor are extremely steep. I have this constant worry that if I were to hop all the way to the top or down all the way to the bottom, I will rupture my other achilles. So, I chose to go up the steps on my butt and down the steps on my butt. Go up is a great tricep and ab workout. Going down is easy. Since my injury a month ago, i can see that my arms are more defined.
Anyway, getting out of the house was great, coming back was tiring. It will get easier. I can’t wait to get this cast off though - 25 more days.
on June 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
hi jennt1527 , your story is all too familar , been two weeks for me now and ive been twice out to the supermarket using their scooter , most people move out the way , others stare and think why should a 35 yr old be using that …. even with my cam boot on and crutches tucked behind me.. i tend to (accidentaly) head straight for them ha ha , but like you after a day out feel shattered and struggle up my 3 steps home , hubbie standing behind me , just incase…. but it s a day out and thats about as good as it gets at the moment . i booked tickets to see def leppard/ white snake in concert pre accident and phoned the arena to explain my circumstances , they were great and said they will put me and my hubbie in a seating area (good because the whole concert is standing only . roll on july 14 th x
on June 27th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I can sooo relate. Both of my cars have manual transmission - and this is my left foot - so no driving for me. I don’t know if no driving at all in the cast because of safety concerns or risk of injury, but doc said no using it for the clutch, even with PWB. My big event of the week is getting out for a little shopping and being able to run around stores with the scooters. At home I use a rolling office chair most of the time so I can carry things. But, yeah, how liberating being able to drive will be…some day.
on June 29th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I went through the same thing — live in a second floor apartment and had to go up and down steps on my bottom for 12 weeks before I was weight-bearing again. You’ll have incredibly strong arms & shoulders before it’s all over! And I found a walker provided more stability than crutches, and was great for balance.
As for driving — my dr. was worried about getting in and out of the vehicle, particularly since you’re exiting into traffic.
I’m 9 months post-op as of this week — finally able to stand on my toes and actually ran a bit without looking awkward. Hang in there, my friends — time will pass quickly and you’ll soon be back to normal!