13 Week Post-op
I saw the OS yesterday and the wound doc today. Both were happy with the way the incision was looking. The wound specialist gave me an iodine based cream to apply every 3 days for the next ten days. He feels this should help to have it fully closed by then. I inquired as to when I can get in the pool and was told not for a month after it has fully healed unless I use a waterproof cast protector. That was good enough for me! The temps are going to be in the high 90’s over the next few days here in Denver so on the way home we hit Walgreen’s to buy one. Has anyone used a cast protector in a pool? I have read how great it is for the shower but I am wondering how it will do when fully submerged. The box does say it can be used for swimming. I guess I will have to have the hubby test it out prior to me using it. I sure don’t want to take a chance of water leaking in. The last thing I want is another setback. I sure hope it keeps the water out. I sooooo want to get in the pool. It’s been no fun watching the rest of my family enjoying the pool and being unable to join them. Most importantly, I really have been looking forward to doing water therapy. Zumba is my addiction and although the OS assures me I will be able to do it again, it won’t be for at least a year post-op. I literally teared up when he told me this at our very first visit. However, I will be able to do Aqua Zumba once I am able to get in the pool. If anyone has had a good experience when fully submerging a cast protector I would appreciate knowing the brand just in case the one I bought fails. Thanks in advance. Have a great weekend!!!
June 22nd, 2015 at 6:31 pm
Good to hear that your wound is healing.
I don’t know anything about the cast cover, but I hope it works.
How is the back pain?
June 22nd, 2015 at 11:14 pm
Thanks! I tried the cast cover and it kept all water out! However, it sure isn’t the most comfortable thing! I had PT today and she adjusted my back. Evidently, my hips were all out of whack. I felt an immediate difference! There is still some pain but it is much better. How are you doing? Have you ventured outdoors without the boot? I get so much swelling that it gets hard to walk sometimes. I am keeping my outings short. I think it is crucial to listen to our bodies and not overdo it. Sometimes I forget that it has only been a little over 2 weeks since I started weight bearing and feel like I should be able to do more. I hope this finds you progressing well. Oh, today at PT I was put on the leg press machine for 3 sets of 10. Other than that, nothing new has been added except for moving on to the next resistance band level.
June 23rd, 2015 at 6:11 pm
It is good that the cast cover works, so you can go in the pool. Glad to hear that the back pain reason is discovered and hope it soon eases up.
I am walking around at home in bare feet and practicing with my shoes. I haven’t ventured outside yet, but plan to this week. I am back to walking good distances in a reasonable time with the boot on, so I am not looking forward to going back to short and slow when I go to 2 shoes. I also swell each evening and the ankle and tendon often feels stiff.
Sometimes if feels like I will be injured forever, but then I remember that it was only a few weeks ago that I couldn’t walk at all and realise that I have improved enormously in that time!
I hope your recovery continues well.
June 23rd, 2015 at 7:12 pm
Kiwibug. So excited to hear you walking around the house barefoot! Even I am still struggling a bit with my flat foot on the bare floor. I wear these slippers so much so guess I’m just used to the cushion. As for your swelling and the stiffness..trust me, its one of the hardest things to fade away. I like to say this journey is like a mountain. Every few days or so, you will notice something new that you couldn’t do before, something that feels little easier than just last week. And some days..nothing new changes..those are what I call the plateaus. Just gotta stay mentally strong during those. So the stiffness and the swelling after walking a bit is extremely normal and I go through it each day too. I use the RICE method to take care of that at night and sometimes epson salt baths. But don’t worry..even though I’m outside, walking stairs and up hills and down hills now..trust me when I tell you..STILL a struggle and some days I’m so annoyed its STILL taking me too long or still can’t just roll as quick as I wish. But then..a few days later..I notice, hey..those stairs didn’t feel so tough this time around, or walking up or down on a curb didn’t quite limp like i did last week. That’s in my own opinion how the journey seems to go for me. Little bit today, may not change much tomorrow, but because of that little bit, the next week it feels tiny bit easier, and so on and so on. So always of course take it slow…stiffness and swelling take lots and lots of time. But as my name says..its all in order. Walking is truly the best medicine before taking those first steps outside. Lastly, i would just mention..least for me..the socks. When you do put on the socks whenever you go to two shoes..at least for me, i keep forgetting to raise them up..and they end up resting right on my tear or right above it..and then the swelling at nite after walking outside and forgetting to immediately take them off. i think its little worse for me so maybe that could be something to verify for your own situation. Anyway, very happy for you..maybe i will try barefoot tonite also..since never do that usually. Good luck for next week !