Kristin’s One Footed (Now Two-Footed!) Blog

Biggest news is that I’m walking…limping with no crutches or boot. I finally just had to make myself stop using them.  From reading everyone else’s posts…I guess the limp goes away as you build up strength. And, as you know…I think some of the limp is mental. The only negative with going out of the house with no crutches or boot is that people wonder…why is that girl walking so weirdf…at least with the crutches and boots, screams out…BIG FLASHING SIGN…hurt, injured, etc. So, here are some updates:

• Mobility - I ditched the crutch and boot and I’m not limping around in shoes. It’s so nice to be more active around the house. I’m sure hubby loves that!
• Wound - So, I’d show you pics to gross you out, but the Wound Center folks haven’t sent me my pics from this week or last week. OK..so, everyone asks…”How much longer.” I wish I knew. I’d say maybe a month more. Yes, I’ve had the open wound since April 15th..can you believe! I’ve done everything right by the way…just takes forever. I use the analogy of a hole in your backyard. The hole has to be filled up with dirt. Then, when the dirt is level with the ground you can plant flowers. Well, the skin is now level. And, I have lots (well, some) little “skin islands” popping up…so, that’s what closes the wound. And, once closed I still have to be careful because it takes a while for the area to thicken up. And, I’m told it will be really sensitive also. I’ll send pics next week for your viewing pleasure. I have to beat you guys with the grossest wound.
• 2 shoes - Well, because of my wound I’ll be wearing backless shoes for a LONG LONG time. Have any of you girls…’cuz I don’t think they make these in guys…seen really cool, comfy backless running shoes? I’m wearing some other supportive backless shoes throughout the day…but, nd some backless tennis shoes for working out, etc.
• Exercise-My PT and Ortho agree that the bike is great. My Ortho says I can do the elliptical until the cows come home. But, I’m not so sure about that. When did the rest of you begin the elliptical.
• Strength - I continue to go to rehab twice a week. And, do tons of exercises. I just ordered a Rocker Board (by Thermaband) and a Theraband stability trainer. Anyway, the Rocker Board is especially great. And, I could see using this forever to keep both ankles flexible. I shopped around and the cheapest I found…even cheaper than ebay (which was $54) was $30 at medsourceusa  Also, at WalMart for $10 I bough an ankle weight set where I can remove the weights to adjust them…anyway…another cheap find.
• Swelling and Wound Things - I go to the Wound Ctr each week for them to clean my dressing and use all kinds of concoctions to help the wound. My wound is always wrapped with various wraps, so I’ve never gotten a good look at all of my foot. There is one area on the outside of my foot, like where that round bone is..that has been swollen. Maybe it’s just cuz I’m walking more on it. Also, since I’m just wearing backless shoes, no boot….I spend my time out and about really cautious, hoping that someone doesn’t accidentally kick me in my wound…that would so suck. My ortho is going to give me some adhesive padding to stick on back there to help. Maybe I can strap a bumper on there or something like on a car.

It’s great to read your blogs and see that everyone is getting better. I can’t believe it takes this long. At rehab I see folks doing fun things like jumping on trampelines and really exercising…one day, one day. Meanwhile…I’ve been working all the time. My monkeys love school..well, really like school. Life is good, despite all of our little bitty bumps in the road. I hope all of you sleep well tonight. P.S. I never, ever bolt upright in bed from a dream…last night I jumped out of bed…not sure why…must have been a snake in the room or a big bug Anyway, thankfully I didn’t hurt my bad leg. My mind is so used to being careful with the bad leg. I still sleep with it elevated…and, I’m at 5 mths. Must have been really relazing and thinking I was a normal person or something. Night night all. Enjoy the long weekend!

Hey there gimpy friends! Just wanted to let you know that today I wore a shoe…a flip flop because I can’t wear a normal shoe because of my wound. But, a shoe none-the-less. Today I went out without the boot on. I was afraid someone would kick my wound and that would suck. But, all was well. I went to rehab and my therapist said that on a scale of 1 to 5 my strenth was about a 4.5 or 5…so, my tendon is strong. I wanted to share a new pic with you. My wound is getting thinner so hopefully one day no hole. Behave everyone.. TAKE YOUR TIME! :)  LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AND BE YOUR OWN DOCTOR! “)

Vote. You can do it! For all of the support that this website has given us, please take about 3 minutes and do this for Dennis. C’mon…you can do it! I know he’ll appreciate it! Really just takes a second.  I’ve copied and pasted the information from Dennis’ site.

 Go to membersproject.com.

Dennis’ Update: I have 16 votes! Please sign up and send some love my way. The most popular proposal has 1935 votes. I am getting close!

I have an American Express Card, and I received an e-mail from them about the Members Project that they are sponsoring. I am not sure how well known this is, but I checked it out and found it to be interesting.

Here is the snippet of the e-mail that I received:

It’s never been so easy to make a difference.

Well hello there friends! I haven’t posted in a while because same ole same ole. On Tuesday I’ll be 17 wks post op. I still have a hole and Wound Ctr did a second graft a couple weeks ago. They are hoping that the 2nd integra will be just the thing my wound nds to help fill in so that the hole is level with the skin and then it will close. It’s interesting bec I’ve done everything right throughtout. I work from home on my PC, and my foot is elevated all day everyday…eating right, always heal ok in the past…but this hole thing is crazy. The wound ctr folks were telling me about this lady who is a lot older than me (I’m 38), she smokes, is diabetic, eats bad…and her achilles wound closed really quick. Oh well. I think my wound will heal…and I hope the hole will close fairly soon. It’s getting pretty expensive seeing these folks every week.  I’ve attached my latest picture for your viewing pleasure. The filmy look to the wound is the integra graft on top of the wound. Pls ignore the stubble around the wound. Each week when I visit the wound ctr I shave around the area…bec it stays wrapped at all times so the only time I see it is at the wound ctr…Well, I obviously missed a spot. So, close your eyes at the stubble.

Ortho visit-I visited my ortho last week. And he said that there’s no reason…since it’s been so long…that I can’t try walking without the boot….Of course he said, “As long as you feel comfortable.” Well, I’m not listening to him. I’m going to continue doing a little bit each day until I’m 2 shoes. He wants me to do calf raises…well, I’m not doing that yet either…I did ask to go to rehab…and I finally got the OK to go. I really am looking at rehab like going to a spa after what I’ve been through…I really just want the massages and for someone to touch my leg. You’d think I was a dog…every week when the wound ctr cleans my wound it feels like ecstasy when they clean around the edges of the wound…I almost need a cigarette when they are done. It’s like an itch that nds to be scratched. I tell the Dr. to pretend I’m his dog and just pet me. HEHEHEHEHE. Anyway, Ortho said that I’ve been really patient. I told him, “What choice did I have.” With my wound I’ve kind of put of all rehabbing of my tendon and my recovery has been at a standstill. The good thing is that bec it’s been so long, I think my tendon is pretty strong. That said, although the ortho cleared me to do more…throughout my “hole” experience, and MRSA and wound vac, etc. etc…I’ve progressed a little by being my own doctor. So, I will continue to do so and take it easy. One day I walked in the boot from the car into the library and back to the car. And I walked more that day. My leg was really sore the following day. So, I’m trying to balance doing a fair amount vs. overdoing it. I’m sure I’ll figure it out. I can’t wait for my little spa experience on Tuesday at rehab.

BIG DAY on Monday - My second child begins kindergarten! So, I’ll have the video camera and camera ready. He’ll ride the bus…but of course on the first day my hubby and I will ride to school to see him to his class the first day. Good think I have a handicap sticker…bec the school is a zoo every day..especially on the first day of school. The first day of kindergarten is such a magical, great day! He can’t wait. My 8 yr old 3rd grader keeps saying how boring school is…I’m trying to get her to keep her comments to her self.

DENNIS - I LOVE THE SHIRT! THANK YOU! It’s SO SOFT! You were right! And, I was so happy to make a donation to the site. You have done such a wonderful job bringing all of us gimpy folks together and you work so tirelessly at it…that’s the least we can do!

I just wanted to share the new development with you re: my hobbling along…even with my hole. And, of course I had to share my latest pics. I think I’ll send them out on my Christmas cards this year.

Have a wonderful evening. Nighty night!