Mark Lewis’ Achilles Blog

Hey Everyone ~

Just wanted to check in real quick and touch base because it’s been a while … This will be short as I’m @ Newark Airport & boarding a plane to Chicago in 30 mins ..

So, my last post on 8/4 gave the news that my two open wounds finally healed .. Went back to see plastic surgeon @ the Wound Ctr on 8/14 and got my official discharge from the wound center  .. they gave me a little certificate and the nurses gave me  a little mini-graduation ceremony .. It was very nice and I’m very grateful to all of them for taking care of me and getting those two wounds to heal .. the only residual effects of the wounds is that I have to wear a compression stocking for 6 weeks just to continue to help w the swelling and give the skin over the wounds more oppt to granualize and strengthen, etc  .. so, no big deal … So, the wound iss is officially over . 

Now that that is taken care of, I got the green light last Tues 8/21 from my ortho to lose the boot and go to 2 shoes!  So, it’s been a full week today & it’s going great so far … right calf has def gotten smaller since the surgery, but, after a full week of walking, I can def notice a little change.  Started out slowly, and I still have a slight hitch when the achilles is tight (esp in the a.m or after sitting for a while) .. but, it loosens up & I’m trying to walk as much as poss (slowly & cautiously !!) .. But, I feel like a new person & am so thankful to be in 2 shoes & wearing pants to work again! … Being at airport & travelling today def a bit of a test and I’m def being careful, but, Ive been cooped up all summer, so it def feels good to spread my wings a bit (no pun intended) and get out of my little home/work bubble Ive been confined to for the last 14 weeks …. Business trip w some client dinners/ Cubs game tomorrow, so I’m sure my leg/achilles will get a work out … Ill be careful … Been icing it at night w the Cryo Cuff (thanks Kim!) as much as poss & it def helps … Wish me luck ..

Go back to Ortho next week on Tues 9/4 & he will see how the 2 weeks of just walking w 2 shoes went .. and we will talk about starting PT .. hopefully next week … I’m going to go to Spin class regardless & prob start walking in park this wkd when I get home.  Def need to amp up the cardio now that I’m mobile again & am looking forward to continued recovery & improvement when I start PT.  Been keeping up w everyone’s posts ~ sry I havent written in a while .. hope everyone doing well & Ill keep everyone in my thoughts & prayers for continued recovery.  Be Well ~ Talk Soon …. Best, Mark

Hi, everyone …

So ~ I had my 3 weeks followup appt w plastic surgeon @ the wound center this past Tues … and, after 3 weeks of twice a week  wound dressing  / compression wraps & elevation … my two lingering open wounds from my incision have finally healed! .. Skin over the wounds is still a bit fragile, so I’m doing another week of same protocol to avoid a re-opening .. and, after getting fitted yest @ the hospital .. Starting next Tues~ I wear a compression stocking for a month (9/4) to help the wound area/skin strengthen and granulize even more.

So, very relieved about the healing of the two wounds … still have compression dressing on now (4 wraps ~ no antibiotic guaze over wound) , and when it gets cut off on Tues (8/7) for last time ~ I will be psyched .. Will also be “discharged” from the wound center & will be very glad not to have to go to the hospital twice a week anymore.  The compression stocking will be a little bit of a hassle ~ but also a lot thinner & if that what it takes for a month to ensure no re-opening .. then I’d rather be safe than sorry .. This injury has been a cascade of inconveniences, challenges, frustration & changes .. so, I’m just chalking the stocking up to yet another inconvenience.  So, the wound situation is done & that treatment tapering off … now onto the achilles itself . 

So, saw my ortho on 7/17 and he gave me the OK to start walking in boot  & driving !  Protocol for transitioning from crutches/boot to boot only ?  one week w 2 crutches, one week w one crutch & one week w cane … needless to say ~ after one week, I was walking w boot w nothing else .. crutches, etc … My ortho looked @ wound and told me that he thought it was ok to start the boot walking, etc .. But, when I walked into the plastic surgeon appt this past Tues  ~  he flipped out … “What are you doing walking!! . .I told you to stay on crutches for another 3 weeks until u saw me to give wound a chance to heal, etc!!”  .. I rightfully blamed my ortho & my hatred of my crutches .. and, considering the wound healed anyway ..  crisis averted  …

I go back to ortho this Tues along w picking up my compression stockings @ the hospital (across the street) .. and, I’m HOPING that he gives me the green light to ditch the boot .. Fingers crossed !!  But,  I have to confess something to you guys however .. My wife and kids left yest for Martha’s Vineyard yest and I am home alone for a week .  Long story why I didnt go, but u can prob figure it out ~ beach, boot, 5 hr car ride w no leg elevation possible & don’t want to take off anymore work than I already have bc of ATR, etc . … so, maybe bc I was alone and feeling brave ~ I started walking around my second fl w no boot & bare feet .. achilles felt good and it was def a liberating experience … I did it yest evening, in middle of night and this a.m. a bit … I just wanted to walk so badly and I’m glad I did … I justified it by the fact that my achilles got a few extra weeks of healing bc of the wound sitch .. and also, banking on the belief that my ortho will give me the green light in a few days to do what I was doing last night … I’m just front running him by a few days.   Felt good like I said and gave me a little bit of my self esteem back.  

So, next Tues is a big day for me … hopin to ditch the boot & start w 2 shoes.  And also start PT  ~  whatever that entails.   My goal is to be back on the golf course in Sept, but, I’m going to be happy to just be able to walk in some shape or form, wear 2 shoes, and also start wearing pants to work again!  Although the shorts in this brutal summer in NYC have been a blessing ..  my shower chair, crutches, cane are all in mothballs .. hoping to add my Vaco Cast & Cam boot to the pile on Tues night !   We’ll see …

So, wound sitch pretty much done .. 10 weeks post op yest … possibly getting out of boot this upcoming week, house to myself for a week … let’s just say things are FINALLY starting to go my way … knowing this injury though ~ I’m sure something bad will happen sometimes soon .. But, if things continue to develop favorably .. I’m def ready to ramp up my recovery w PT .. and really start to see some concrete milestones surpassed in the next month or so … 2 shoes, walking, PT, exercise, golf ??  I hope so … 

Been reading everyone’s posts ~ and you all continue to be an inspiration to me by your progress & recovery … this injury is such a bear .. such a bear .. and I have never felt so lonely at times during this recovery in my entire life … But, getting to know a lot of you & going through our shared common struggle together has been a blessing in so many ways.  I would never wish admission to our community on anyone  .. but, that’s what we are together .. a community/family of people all going through the same adverse life event together.  it’s been a huge help to me and one of the few blessings to have come out of this injury.  Take care everyone .. you’re all in my prayers always … Recover soon!! Will let you know what happens Tues, etc … Bye for now ~

Best

Mark