Been 10 days since surgery, uneventful visit. Was told I was a fast healer (that’s good) but be patient about rehab (oh well). Was re-cast in a style’n blue hard cast. Will be back in two weeks to have sutures removed and get boot. Short term recovery timeline is predictable, PWB 4 - 6 weeks post surgery, FWB 2- 4 weeks after that.
Am on the fence whether to get a knee scooter. I’m getting around pretty well on crunches but miss the use of my hands for mundane activities like bringing a hot cup of coffee to my desk (Yeah I have a thermal mug with a top, bowl of cereal though is challenging)! On the other hand scuttling around on crutches takes lots of energy, which I like. It’s the only aerobic exercise I’m getting these days. Looking forward to swimming but that won’t happen until sutures are completely healed.
October 7th, 2011
It’s only 6 days post surgery, and I’ve been good about keeping my leg up unless I’m moving about and there’s been precious little of that. However, when I do even the smallest things like making breakfast and emptying the dishwasher, I finish these arduous activities exhausted. Yeah I understand at 56 I have less energy then 26 but I’ve always been an active person.
So, is a sudden and stunning lack of stamina a typical result of surgery and healing?
October 3rd, 2011
Am thinking about getting a wheelchair for a month to scuttle about the house. Bringing a coffee from the kitchen to another room is a challenge on crutches! The issue is not about avoiding crutches, I’m pretty good on them and do not lack the upper body strength to maneuver easily. Rather just thought it would be more efficient to get about, I work from home so setting up a temporary office in the living room seems like a good idea.
I’m giving myself a week to get some strength back and then I’d like to spend a few hours a day being productive.
September 29th, 2011
Day one of recovery. I’m lounging in the den easy chair ruminating (through a drug induced pain med torpor) about how this injury will change things. First a report on the surgery; the good news is the surgeon was able to repair and reattach the AT. The bad news is the tear was at the tendon-calf muscle connection and the tendon was in his words, shredded in a manner he had never seen before. And he has a lot of experience with this surgery, in addition to having suffered the same injury.
I’ve no illusions that my rehab will be long, everyone that has this type of injury is. And, rehab and conditioning will be a life-long commitment, like it or not that is the reality of ATR’s. Will I ever play tennis again, who knows? And if so at what level or pace? Running, back country hiking? We’ll see. I’m fiercely committed to restoring my body to the best functionality possible, at the very least to be able to navigate briskly throughout the day without giving thought to my leg.
Leg injuries are no stranger to me. As a young sprite (8 yrs) I was on crutches for 9 months, I’ve had cartilage torn and repaired in both knees and the usual bangs and bruises of an active kid growing up in the 60’s (I’m 56). What makes this injury different is the timing. I’ve logged more years till now than I’ll log in the future. Now there is a reality kick in the pants! I’ve never appreciated time as much as I should have, and this event is certainly a life changing wakeup call. Never really understood till now how one’s life can change in an instant.
See the doc next week for the first of what will be many medical/rehab appointments. Had a dream last night of re-injuring my leg but I suppose that is not an uncommon fear. Can’t let it overwhelm me but need to be realistic about what I can and can’t do and the pace of recovery.
September 28th, 2011
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