Hey Folks.
As much as I hate to be a part of this community, it’s nice to know that while we’re here, we can be a resource to each other. I’ve already been able to get a great amount of info from this AchillesBlog community. So…. thanks for that.
The event: I experienced my ATR (look at that, the new guy is already using the acronyms) on August 4th, on a little island north of Vancouver (Keats), while playing tennis with some great friends. We were attending family camp, and thoroughly enjoying one of our many doubles matches. I was too busy admiring my serve, in what was to be a miraculous come-back game, when I realized that I needed to move off the baseline. A quick lunge with right foot forward, and that dreaded POP, following by a deep throbbing pain. I figured pretty quickly what it was, and yelled out, “My achilles” even before I hit the ground.
There was a nurse and a couple of physiotherapists on property, and they iced, splinted, and crutched me up, and then took me to the hospital (in Sechelt) via golf-cart, boat, and truck. A little x-ray, ultra-sound later, it was diagnoses as a full ATR, and booked surgery at Lion’s Gate hospital in North Vancouver for the following day.
The Surgery: What a great group of medical practitioners at LGH. We laughed lots, and let me know what my next hour would look like: a spinal block (epidural), a great sewing job, and a few stitches. No problem…..
Being away for the procedure was pretty trippy. but I was glad for the opportunity to NOT undergo general. (I’ve had a few surgeries over the past decade, and I’m not a fan of general.) A few hours in post-surgury recovery, and I was set to go home. At this point, there really wasn’t much in the way of pain. Just discomfort.
The 11 days following surgery: OK, I’ll be honest, as a teacher, married to a teacher, I was (am) feeling robbed my my summer. I know I’m not going to get a lot of sympathy from anyone (except other teachers), but sitting around at home wasn’t what I was looking forward to for August.
I was prescribed some Tramadol for pain, and like everyone else, was told to bear no weight, and elevate and rest … yadda yadda yadda. Thank goodness for the Olympics and Prison Break on Netflix is all I can say. As far as pain and discomfort, it seems directly related to how much I follow doctors’ orders. If I’m bring active and upright, I am uncomfortable with some burning at the area of surgery, if I stay prone and quiet, I generally stay pretty comfortable.
I am scheduled to meet with the OS tomorrow for the first follow-up, and while I’m not sure what to expect or hope for, I am looking forward to at the very least, letting my leg breath a tiny little bit.
General Thoughts: As a relatively active (albeit heavier-than-I’d-like-to-be) 43 year old, I am pretty down about the prospect of missing out on some of my favourite activities over the next while. I joined a beginner’s ice-hockey league last year, and love it. I golf somewhat regularly, and love playing volleyball with my teen-aged kids. I’m much happier when I’m active. I watched my hockey team lose game one of their playoff final last night, and I think I miss them more than they miss me (even though they lost pretty decisively). I really can’t wait to be active again.
Thanks for all of your contributions to this excellent site, and I look forward to hearing your stories, while sharing mine.
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