April 7th 3rd day post op
Just pulled the pain pump cord out of my leg and tossed it in the trash. I guess thats progress. I am still mad this happened. I pride my self in staying in shape and being active…. then running down the basketball court pow! Just like the articles say.
Any way thanks to the founder of this it has been refreshing to read real stories. Of course I have high hopes to get back at it asap but as I read reality checks in. 3 days down who really knows how many to go. Anyway keep writing there is always new techniques to help. My goal is to learn and get back doing what I love as fast as I…..well as fast and safely as I can. Thats being active. Anyway not sure if this makes me feel better or not but anything I can learn or share will only help. I read a lot today thanks to all of you keep going and sharing.
We all know how frustrating this thing is…Take it one day at a time, read everything you can on this so you can become educated but also convey to your MD about new post op protocols, rehab, etc. As you can see each person is going about post op in a different way, the most important thing is to be confident that you are doing what s best for you..
One day at a time
Doc Ross
1 month post op today….
Comment by Doc ross — April 7, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
We all know how frustrating this thing is…Take it one day at a time, read everything you can on this so you can become educated but also convey to your MD about new post op protocols, rehab, etc. As you can see each person is going about post op in a different way, the most important thing is to be confident that you are doing what s best for you..
Doc Ross
1 month post op today….
Comment by Doc ross — April 7, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
bargo - It’s gets better, and I look at it as a challenge, a little detour. I plan to get back on the court by early next year in better shape than I was before the injury. You can still do upper body exercises, etc. until you are healed enough to start physical therapy. I hope you find this site useful, and let us know if you have any questions.
Comment by dennis — April 7, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
Thank the comments help. Enough with the why me feeling. I need to chart my plan.
Comment by mbargo — April 7, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
I was in an airport yesterday and a guy…say age 55…asked me what I’d done. I told him. He said he had done the same thing, and he was “out running 5 months to the day” and that his injured achilles is
“now better than the other one”. He did his playing tennis. Nice man…I love those encouraging words.
Bargo…hang in there. Dennis is right, it does get better every day. You’ll be amazed with each step…1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks (stops throbbing), PWB and then, WOW, 100% WB. I found trying to be as “normal” as possible helped me stay positive (going to work, coaching my son’s basketball team, dinner with friends, etc.).
Comment by johnskier — April 7, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
I am planning to brave the airport Friday. Had a 10th anvirsery trip set all paid for in Meixco. I have to cancel the diving portion but figure I can sit with my leg elevated looking at the ocean vs doing it at home. Just hope I can endure the flight… you guys are right…need to get over it
Comment by mbargo — April 7, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Mbargo,
Definitely take the trip. I had already planned a family vacation prior to my injury and we still went. I definitely missed out on some of the activities but it was great for the rest of the family and I became very comfortable with sitting on my butt, drinking lots of frozen margaritas, and reading my book.
You should definitely get the full leg Dry Cast cover. It works great and gives you great freedom to swim.
Enjoy,
PK
Comment by Philip — April 8, 2008 @ 8:19 am
Bargo - Good luck as you enter into recovery mode. Like the others have said, it does get better. I found that reading all the blogs is very helpful. It’s nice to hear real life recovery stories vs. reading through stats from various medical studies. The good news, from both blogs and journals, is that the chance for full recovery is very high. I, like John, found that keeping things as “normal” as possible really helps. It allows you to stay positive which I believe helps the healing process. Hang in there. Enjoy your trip to Mexico!
Comment by Tom — April 8, 2008 @ 8:27 am
Try tequila for the throbbing in the foot…
At your stage it will be tricky but I think it’s much worse staying home. and get your family to carry your stuff. Actually I did take a backback (and also used a backpack for work).
You’ll have to judge swimming (are you in a splint or cast?) I used a Dry Pro bag too and it worked great over a splint (5 weeks post op). Be really careful getting in and out of the water if you do go.
In terms of the iwalk-free (see the web site), I think it’s difficult for long distances (slow), good for things like doing dishes because you can stand on two legs, not so good for short distances (cause’ you have to put on and take off). Also good if you have to carry something like maybe getting groceries.. It’s easiest if you use it like a cane (hold on to the stem with your hand) and I actually liked it with one crutch on the opposite hand.
Overall…I think that if you can rent it for 2 or 3 weeks then it might be worth it but not to buy it because after awhile your doc wants you to bear weight anyway. The guy that I got it from just loved it but it was just so so for me. He apparently was playing golf (without doc’s permission) 10 days post surgery and going into sand traps with it. I don’t see how he did that.
Comment by johnskier — April 8, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
I am gooing to see doc tomorrow even though its a week earlier than scheduled since it will only be a week post op when I leave…. Just to see if he can change the split I am in… something a little easier to manage for the trip/plane…. Its really big and fluffy like a northern Alaskan trackers boot right now.
Swimming would be a huge bonus so I am going to pursue that. Just to be able to cool off would be huge. But stiches are still in so we will see.
Either way plenty of beverges and a good view will help the time. Patron and me get along well so I will be ok. I agree with you on the I-walk did a lot a research last night. Weather is breaking and I was wondering how long unitl I could golf. But I can’t see using that thing.
Thanks for the comments……… “Cervesa por fa for!”
Comment by mbargo — April 9, 2008 @ 7:14 am
hi bargo,
just curious how soon after your surgery was your flight and how did that go? i just had surgery last wed and am trying to fly out this friday for a wedding. so a little over a week post-op. flight is to detroit actually so it’s only an hour long from nyc. i’m mainly concerned with having my leg pointed down the whole time since it’s used to being elevated.
thanks,
jlee
Comment by jlee — July 22, 2008 @ 11:18 am
jlee-
Sent you an email as well. It was exactly one week. 3.5 hrs Detroit to mexcio. I think you can handle an hour. Use wheelchair as much as possible. Take cructhes on plane and try to sit in first row of coach for more leg room. Elevate when you can.
Comment by mbargo — July 22, 2008 @ 12:28 pm