lucasl’s AchillesBlog

As I am still unable to drive, I’ve been doing the basics of ATR therapy at home until schedules ease for myself and family.  A dear friend who happens to be a PT has done my initial measurements and given me some great exercises to work on until outpatient PT begins.

She also did some amazing myofascial release on the affected leg from the knee all the way to my toes~ WHAT AN AMAZING, HELPFUL PAINREDUCING EXPERIENCE!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. It was as if the “jammed-up” sensation in my heel,ankle and foot were released and lengthened!!!

Per surgeons okay, I have been walking barefoot around my home and even sleeping without the boot.  Although I am very leery , this actually feels like a nice change and somewhat normal again.  Walking downstairs is still very challenging to me- it just feels wrong and like another rupture waiting to happen. (Psychological?!)  Bit by bit I know it will come. . .

I am hoping to somehow cover the boot (any suggestions?) and do some weeding and planting of the beautiful flowers and plants I was given with speedy recovery wishes.  I have knee pads and a stool to sit on-but just need to get out to my therapy in the flower beds and such!!

Here’s to solid, on target healing and patience and joy in the process!!

Lydia

Still praying for you all as you recover and adjust to life after ATR! At my last appointment I finally discovered that my itchy, hivey rash was due to an allergy/sensitivity to the surgi strips covering my incision! Thank goodness it has been alleviated and my incision site looks and feels much better!
My flights and accomodation over our Springbreak by the airport staff were superb. . . Note to others flying early on in your recovery~ LOOSEN YOUR BOOT STRAPS AS YOU FLY and move your affected leg as much as possible while seated on the plane! The Dr. encouraged an aspirin a day starting two days prior to flight and ending two days post return flight. It seems to have done the job as I experienced no complications during or after travel.
I am eager to see what my surgeon has to say when I see him on Friday. My boot is now at a 10 degree angle and I am anxious to find out what happens next. Will therapy start soon? Will I be PWB soon? Is the numbness in the bottom of my foot normal? Is the pain in my far right metatarsal normal? Hoping for answers and insight into what is ahead of me!
Work is still going well thanks to friends and family that act as chaffeur, patient and helpful students and the Knee Walker! I am still determined to take off weight as I recover and have been slowly but surely accomplishing this goal.
Ahhhhh to be able to take my usual morning walk at 4:45 and welcome the awakening world. . . some day soon!!! Be patient Lydia, it will happen!! Peace and Healing to my brothers and sisters in Texas, Boston, Midwest and all over the world~Love, Lydia!

It is nice to report that yet another transition in my ATR has gone smoothly and safely.  My return to work was a bit nerve enhancing. . . after being rather sedentary for two weeks with leg in elevated mode, now I needed to allot adequate time to shower, dress, take in nutrients and not make my “chaffeur” wait so as to get me to work on time.  After the first two days, I finally got it ‘mostly” together and relaxed more than fretted during the process.  As I work at an elementary school- it was great to see the faces of the students and staff and their reactions to , as they put it, “the cool scooter!”  It’s nice to find the bright spots during ATR recovery-ease of  movement with the knee walker is definitely one of those bright spots, in addition to the cards, well wishes, prepared meals, offers for transportation and prayers from friends, family, church members, and caring acquaintances.  In addition to new found PATIENCE, I have been learning to be on the receiving end of help rather than the giving and it’s getting easier! :)  

     I have had some sort of an allergic reaction on the effected leg- at first I thought it was the socks that came with the boots (still think it might be)-so I have stopped wearing them.    Has anyone else encountered this?   I now need to find a comfortable sock that doesn’t cut off circulation, yet gives support.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

     Hope you all are doing well in your recovery and keep reminding yourself that we will get through this and I am praying for you all!!

Healing thoughts and well wishes,

Lydia

So we decided at our household that in order to ensure a safe and comfortable??? recovery from ATR, I should order what others suggested who had been through this long, strange trip. 

Yesterday I found out that our insurance company covered 80% of the Knee Walker rental which meant our share was a doable $6.38 per month.  We faxed in the script from the ortho and around noon today there was a knock at the door and a fine young man delivered a brand new Drive Med knee walker.  What a saving grace!!  I plan on starting back at work on Monday and this will make all the difference in a safe transition and eased mobility around a 900 plus student Grade School. 

Via UPS from California, my new and improved crutches~ MOBI legs~ also came in the mail.  After using crutches since March 5th, I knew there had to be a better alternative and I found it.  After learning there were no carriers in our NE area, I asked the company if they offered any discounts since insurance was not an option and they gave me a $30 voucher/coupon- so the total cost was $99 and worth every penny!!

No more chaffing under the arms nor numbness/burning in the palms of my hands.  We will get through this, and hopefully be stronger for it.

Thank you all for offering your wisdom and advice and paving the way for new ATRs.  Sleep well and hope you find the perfect position to alleviate pain  tingling and enhance REM!!

Sweet Dreams and Healing Thoughts!!

Lydia

That which doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger-right?! Although the night my achilles ruptured playing volleyball I truly suspected someone had physically attacked me with a cheap shot from behind. Much to my surprise I was still the only player on my side of the gym in the back row-only now I was down on the floor (head spinning) still trying to surmise just what took place. Both courts full of teams came running exclaiming that they had indeed heard the “shot” or “pop” but thought it was my knee. I quickly corrected them that it was my right achilles and a trip to the ER was now in order. I literally crawled to the exit with kneepads still in place. Many offered to help my upright, but the thought of my foot dangling with the possiblity of brushing it against someone or something was more than my body could take. Someone had thrown a bag of ice together and it felt heavenly on my lower calf on the trip into the ER. About halfway through the 30 minute trip to the hospital, the adrenaline started to slow and the throbbing painful pulse in my lower calf started to rear it’s ugly head. I had never noticed all the bumps on the interstate until that evening not so long ago. OUCH!!!
When we finally made it to the ER, I thankfully was the last patient to make it to the FAST TRACK before 9 pm-so I was taken right in. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with a strained Gastroc Soleus and instructed that I should be able to walk on the injured limb within 2 days. Needless to say I called and followed up with my orthopedic Dr. asap. After seeing the amazing PA at the Ortho practice, I was scheduled for MRI that evening and a follow up appt. the next morning. The PA warned me that she felt it was ruptured- but wanted to see evidence of the extent of the injury. Had the late night MRI, followed up with the Surgeon in the morning and he scheduled the surgery for the next day. . . YIKES. . . I guess it was better that I didn’t have time to stress or over think things and as a mom of 5 I needed to make arrangements-QUICKLY!!
More to follow. . .

Welcome to AchillesBlog.com.

This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Following link will take you to your blog’s “command center” where you can write your posts:
http://AchillesBlog.com/lucasl/wp-admin/

Be sure to fill out your city, Achilles rupture date, surgery date, etc.. (if you know it) here:
Fill out my Achilles Profile Here

When you do, you can keep track of your recovery progress and see your information on the Marathon Tracker.

Here’s more info: using Achilles Timeline Widget

Please change this post’s title to something more descriptive. Just leaving it as “Hello World” leads people to believe that you haven’t updated your first post!

If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask!

Dennis