6 months. What a journey so far.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been six months since my surgery. It’s been quite a journey so far. Since I live alone, the first weeks on crutches were the most difficult. I was at least fortunate that I injured my left AT, so I could drive right away but going to the grocery store on the second day after surgery, hobbling around with a bag in my hand trying to shop was not fun. But I managed it and was amazed at how kind strangers could be when I was on crutches. When I went into the boot and was FWB, it was great to be able to hold the door for others. For those of you who are not yet FWB, believe me, when you go FWB, you will not only be able to move about easily again, it will boost your spirits immeasurably. For me, becoming FWB was the biggest milestone and the most exciting.
I also consider myself to be fortunate in that I never had any pain after my surgery. Some discomfort from swelling while in the cast but not pain like many here have had.
Enough of the past. I’m writing to hopefully encourage those of you just starting this journey that there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. I know that’s a tired cliche but it’s true. I’m been going to the gym regularly for quite some time and doing the elliptical walker, treadmill, stationary bike and the stairmaster to get in shape for ski season. I can hardly wait! BTW, the stairmaster with just your toes on the platform is a great strengthening exercise for the AT. I’m still also doing a lot of barefoot heel raises and my one leg heel raise is much better. Not as good as the right leg but getting there. I rarely even think of my achilles tendon any more except when I’m doing my heel raises. Yes, there will come a day when you wake up in the morning and the first thing you think about ISN’T your AT!
When I told my surgeon early in my recovery that I was planning on skiing this year, he was not a fan of the idea. When I last saw him at my 12 week follow up, he was really pleased with my progress and skiing no longer seemed to be an issue, though he told me to stay out of the bumps - yeah right, like that’s going to happen. :-) I intend to be doing all of the activities that I did before my ATR, and although it’s a personal decision, I believe that everyone on this site can do the same if you want.
Having been on this site for six months and seeing everyone’s progress over time, it seems clear to me that whether you go the op or non-op route, if you are diligent in your PT and, as NOTN says, Watch Your Step, at four months you’ll be amazed at where you are and at six months, you’ll be almost as good as new. Maybe better, especially if you had tendonitis or tendonosis prior to your ATR.
I also think that one thing my ATR gave me was perspective. For those of you who are on crutches and NWB, this perspective is more likely to come when you’re FWB. Many others who are further down the road to complete recovery have also said this. And that perspective is that this injury, as bad as it is, is temporary and that we will walk, run, and be back to our favorite activities in a matter of months. And as I remember, that seemed like forever at the beginning of this journey when I was NWB and on crutches but it’s not. Your ATR can be painful, frustrating and downright demoralizing at times but rest assured, you will walk, run, play sports, dance (I won’t do this because I’m a terrible dancer), and be your old self, or likely, an even better self in no time!
That’s it for now. Keep healing!
December 16th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Hear, hear!! Great story and solid wisdom, JLA.
You’re not planning to ski Whistler this season, are you?
I’m hoping that my sternum and my heart will both be healed enough to let me get some runs in at the end of Jan, beg. of Feb. Far from a sure thing, but it might happen. It would be MUCH sooner after my open-heart surgery than my last ski trip was after my ATR. Sounds incredible, I admit. . . but I feel amazingly good now, TWO weeks after the surgery, so ya’ never know!
December 16th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Thanks for a great post - I love it when people return after they are well recovered it makes the rest of us far more optomistic. Continue with you great work and thanks for taking the time to support the rest of us.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Hey Norm, I’d like to ski Whistler but don’t think I’ll make it this year. I grew up in Montana so I skied Montana, Idaho and Wyoming as kid. I have a brother in Colorado so I hope to make it out there to ski with him this winter. I live on the east coast now so I ski Maine and Vermont. I have a season pass that’s good for three mountains so I’m planning to ski a lot. But I really miss the snow out west. Nice, deep powder. Every time GerryR mentions Big Sky, I start to salivate.
Oh, I just remembered. I was flying for work earlier this week and I ran into Glen Plake in the airport. He was on my flight. I couldn’t believe it! I talked to him a bit. It was fun and he was a really nice guy.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Hi liverpoollass, My pleasure. This site has been a really important part of my recovery, especially in the beginning. I learned a lot not only from the people who were ahead of me but also from those at about the same stage of recovery. This site is a great source of information, inspiration and support. I’m on the site several times a week but haven’t posted or commented much lately. I’m back into it now. I think it’s important to support others when I’m not really in need of support myself anymore instead of saying, “I’m better now, I’m out of here.” There are many others who continue to help others (NOTN is the most obvious example among many) long after they’ve healed and that kind of spirit is invaluable to the new people.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Nice spin on my addiction, JLA!
We’d probably be at Mt. Tremblant about now, if it weren’t for the surgery. That trip’s optional, but the two Whistler weeks are already paid for (timeshares), end of Jan and end of March.
December 16th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Sounds like you’re going to be skiing in about a month. Enjoy! And by the end of March, you’ll be as good as new.
December 20th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Fantastic Post JLA,
Honestly, just what i needed to read,
Enjoy the sking, I love sking and snowboarding the Alps,
Not sure if I’ll risk it again, just want to be back golfing by end Feb,
Good to hear your well Norm, Keep the addiction up,
All advice welcome!!
December 20th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Good to hear you are planning to hit the slopes soon. I was quite cautious last season, largely because things just never felt right and when the whole business opened up and wouldn’t close, I knew there was a serious problem. But, after getting the internal sutures removed I have no fear at all that I will have problems. I just got home from my fourth consecutive day at Red Lodge Mountain, taught for two days, free skiing yesterday and teaching again today. A few of us went out early to lay down some new tracks in the fresh powder and it was great, 7 instructors all whooping it up down through the powder. It was a hoot. I missed all that last year, but do not intend to miss any of it this year. Good luck and goo turns.
December 21st, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Hi peadarh, I’m glad my post was “just what you needed to read.” This site is so great because we can give and receive support and inspiration. All the best to you and Keep Healing!
December 21st, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Hi gerryr, Powder! Boy, do I miss Rocky Mountain powder. Yet, there’s still plenty of great skiing out here if you do you research, go to different places and find what you’re looking for. Sounds like a great few days at Red Lodge Mountain. Good for you! I’m glad that you’re out skiing full force this year. I’ve never skied Red Lodge Mountain but when I was a kid, my grandfather had a rickety old cabin near Red Lodge and we used to go there to fly fish when we visited my grandparents. It’s a beautiful area. Enjoy the snow and good turns.