Merry Christmas!
Just wanted to wish everyone on the site a Merry Christmas!
I’m coming up for 18 months post-op in the New Year and still occasionally checking in to read the posts - can hardly believe how many bloggers there are now!
My right calf is still smaller than the other, the tendon a little thicker and a little tight for the first couple of steps in the morning, but generally I don’t think about it much anymore. I occasionally do single and double heel raises and hopping, just to check I can. The recent snow over here in the UK has made me less complacent and take extra care when walking, but that’s just me being sensible. There’s no real reason why I should any more at risk than anyone else now, but I KNOW how long the recovery is!
My job involves standing and walking around for 5 hours a day, with no after effects. I use my crosstrainer for up to half-an-hour at the time, but still haven’t really pushed myself physically - just short sprints when in the park with the children or running for the bus. My MSc dissertation is due in January so my New Year’s resolution will be to regain more physical fitness.
It is a long road to recovery, but in some ways now I’m almost glad it happened…I say almost, because obviously I would’ve preferred not to have gone through the injury with all its affects on family life in general, but having done so there are positives to take from it. I’ve learnt more about myself, and about my family and friends, and how wonderful the human body really is. There are many things to be appreciated which I hadn’t before.
Best wishes to all.
December 22nd, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Hi Sam, great to hear from. I do not check the site much anymore (good sign!) but thought I would see if some of the old timers wrote for the holidays… I am glad to hear you are doing so well.
Surprisingly my surgeon declared I do not need to see him unless there is a problem after the 4-months check up. I even quit physio in January, I decided to continue to work on my own. I am doing great, I am proud to say I am in better shape than I was 2 years ago so eager I was to walk again after not being able to. Having no MSc to do (btw congrats to you!) I work out and swim very regularly at the Y and it shows. Though my injured calf is still skinnier than the other one, I feel very comfortable with walking and everyday tasks, but jumping I have difficulty with.
Funny, but we have no snow yet here by lake Ontario!
Merry Christmas to you!
2ndtimer
December 23rd, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Hi 2ndtimer,
So glad to hear all is going well for you too - especially after your extra long recovery. And well done on being superfit now!
The snow is nice when it’s fresh but I don’t like the mucky slush or compacted ice - we’re just not used to it enough over here, though from the last couple of years it looks like we should start being better prepared.
I have lovely warm snow boots with good tread this year which have been brilliant.
Have a great Christmas,
Sam