Week 3
This has been a slooow week, but my foot feels stronger and slightly more durable. It doesn't feel like it's going to detach, hit the floor, and burst into flames the instant my boot comes off. However, the ankle and foot muscles are completely useless and unable to support their own weight, so it needs to be guided to and fro. This week's * m i l e s t o n e * is taking my first proper bath. This is a good thing because my foot smells like a trash can. I prepare a bubble bath for us. Placing it into hot water makes it immediately swell to double the size, so my fantasia of a luxury foot soak is postponed until further notice. I blast it with cool water from my hand-held shower head--which massages it perfectly and is the most invigorating sensation after weeks of imprisonment. My foot is very excited to be stimulated and responds with a rush of circulation to the area, not unlike a boner. My big toe is still so fragile I can't even consider washing it with a sponge loofah thing--and only some areas can tolerate my hand brushing over it with suds. The whole top of my foot is still raw too, but I think the water will have a healing effect. After my tepid, 10-minute spa getaway, it's time for me to get back to waiting out my sentence on the couch with my foot raised to the heavens in penitence. I hug the side of the bathtub and with splendid elegance, roll my sopping wet ass over the edge into a heap on the floor.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Week 2
Week 2
The wound on my leg is healed now! The stitch line isn't as thin as I expected. It's dark magenta and annoying, but I start applying Mederma Gel to it daily. This stuff is awesome. I've never tried the cream, and have no interest. The gel forms a thin shield over the area, and remains there until it's washed off. After just 3 days of twice-daily application, I can see a change in appearance.
I had my 2-week Follow Up Appointment at the end of this week! Time is creeping by, but it feels good to have that under my belt. I was not given much direction, other than to remain non-weight bearing and to take it easy. I am taken out of my splint/soft cast, and put into a short ankle walking boot/air cast. My foot rejects it pretty quickly, but I don't really have a choice, so I wear it at all times. The pressure of the boot aggravates my foot the most at night when I'm sleeping, and it actually digs into my ankle and breaks the skin. It feels like it doesn't fit properly and I have an almost-impossible time keeping my heel placed correctly in the back of the boot. I'm constantly adjusting it, and this makes me paranoid and anxious that my foot isn't at the optimum 90* angle and may compromise my recovery. It's 2014, is it not? How can it be, that this plastic chamber of doom is my best option? I ponder this by candlelight and as I draft intricate blueprints of an immaculate golden boot.
These are the supplements I'm taking to hopefully help speed up my recovery:
If I could only choose 1, it would be the Cissus Quadralangus. I have read SO much positive feedback from people who have taken this supplement and LOVE it. It greatly amplifies your body's collagen production, which is what tendons are made of. That's what the French call a Nofuckingbrainer.
I had my 2-week Follow Up Appointment at the end of this week! Time is creeping by, but it feels good to have that under my belt. I was not given much direction, other than to remain non-weight bearing and to take it easy. I am taken out of my splint/soft cast, and put into a short ankle walking boot/air cast. My foot rejects it pretty quickly, but I don't really have a choice, so I wear it at all times. The pressure of the boot aggravates my foot the most at night when I'm sleeping, and it actually digs into my ankle and breaks the skin. It feels like it doesn't fit properly and I have an almost-impossible time keeping my heel placed correctly in the back of the boot. I'm constantly adjusting it, and this makes me paranoid and anxious that my foot isn't at the optimum 90* angle and may compromise my recovery. It's 2014, is it not? How can it be, that this plastic chamber of doom is my best option? I ponder this by candlelight and as I draft intricate blueprints of an immaculate golden boot.
Week 4
Week 4
This week started off strong. I'm totally used to my crutches and can't even imagine being without them. I took a few days "off" from my usual Peanut Butter-and-TV-Shows-In-Bed routine and went to my parents house for a change of pace. It was AMAZING. I got to hang out with our dog, eat unbelievably delicious food every day, breakfast in bed, and Reiki sessions. Plus, I got the chance to sunbathe my bare foot. AMAZING! Sunlight is actually considered an antibacterial, and does heal! It was glorious. My cuts are healing a little bit more. I was able to soak my foot in warm salt water infused with lavender essential oil (antiseptic) My foot didn't explode this time, and it was SO amazingly relaxing. After it was dried and rewrapped, it felt like a brand new foot. The boot still destroys my ankle at night, but during the day is pretty much painless. I have noticed that the main culprit of my pain is the positioning of my ace bandage. One end of the bandage has a thick velcro strip, and the other end is hard too, depending on where those edges are positioned against my foot- means the difference between relaxation and a world of shit. It has to be wrapped *just right* even a speck too tight and it throws everything off.
I made what felt like a BOLD move this week, and I ventured out on my Crutches for the first time, and went to see Sam Smith!! I've been listening to his music non-stop since my injury, so this was absolutely perfect-timing. Thank You Universe! Any earlier in my recovery and I wouldn't have been able to pull it off. I was nervous, but called the venue ahead of time to make sure a handicap seat was reserved. They escorted me in through a private entrance, and I was able to sit in a fold-up chair in the front row of the Mezzanine. The venue is tiny, so I had perfect view. The performance moved me to tears and I forgot all about my foot. hehe :)
This week caps off with a 4-week follow up appointment. I go in optimistic and leave completely deflated. Overall, I have been very worried about my foot not healing correctly and having a weird feeling that I should have gone to a different surgeon. Everyone around me says this doubt is normal, and I'm just in a temporary state of limbo. My follow-up does nothing to assure of me this though. It is a quick 10-minute appointment where my boot is removed, and I am told "You can start walking now, it should be healed." The thought seems impossible and completely insane. I ask about Physical Therapy, something I have been SO excited to begin. They say "Ehhh, There's no need, but if you really want it we can arrange it."
Um... pardon? Yes, please arrange that.
I insist on at least 3 sessions per week. The doctor's then slap a compression stocking over my raw, exposed wound without a bandage (ouch) and start to walk out of the room while I am in mid-sentence asking questions. I'm literally calling out questions from the table as they keep trying to head out of the door. They gave me no guidance, and I had to ask all of the questions:
Are you SURE 4 weeks isn't too soon? Shouldn't I be non-weight bearing for 6 weeks? (No, 4 weeks is plenty. The longer you baby the foot, the more difficult it will be to get it's proper function back) aka "use it or lose it"
My toe and stop of foot are still completely numb. Is that a problem? (Oh, they are? Hm, well I guess that makes sense. That will probably go away in a few months)
Should I be icing it? (No)
Should I continue elevating it? (No)
Should I take advil regularly? (Maybe)
If you're telling me I can walk-- would I be cleared to work an event in 3 weeks that requires standing all day? (Probably not, you should take it easy.)
"Okay, great, see you in a month."
I completely break down after this appointment. I totally understand that these Doctors are exhausted, overworked, and have to be concise at their appointments. But, I feel totally thrown off by this. I am terrified to re-injure my tendon, and I express that, yet am given no suggestions of how to begin walking/distributing weight, no stretching exercises. Literally zero. I revisit the thought that maybe this hospital was the wrong choice, but force myself to accept that it's already been done, and not to jump to conclusions. They did their job, and now the work of recovery is in my hands.
This week started off strong. I'm totally used to my crutches and can't even imagine being without them. I took a few days "off" from my usual Peanut Butter-and-TV-Shows-In-Bed routine and went to my parents house for a change of pace. It was AMAZING. I got to hang out with our dog, eat unbelievably delicious food every day, breakfast in bed, and Reiki sessions. Plus, I got the chance to sunbathe my bare foot. AMAZING! Sunlight is actually considered an antibacterial, and does heal! It was glorious. My cuts are healing a little bit more. I was able to soak my foot in warm salt water infused with lavender essential oil (antiseptic) My foot didn't explode this time, and it was SO amazingly relaxing. After it was dried and rewrapped, it felt like a brand new foot. The boot still destroys my ankle at night, but during the day is pretty much painless. I have noticed that the main culprit of my pain is the positioning of my ace bandage. One end of the bandage has a thick velcro strip, and the other end is hard too, depending on where those edges are positioned against my foot- means the difference between relaxation and a world of shit. It has to be wrapped *just right* even a speck too tight and it throws everything off.
I made what felt like a BOLD move this week, and I ventured out on my Crutches for the first time, and went to see Sam Smith!! I've been listening to his music non-stop since my injury, so this was absolutely perfect-timing. Thank You Universe! Any earlier in my recovery and I wouldn't have been able to pull it off. I was nervous, but called the venue ahead of time to make sure a handicap seat was reserved. They escorted me in through a private entrance, and I was able to sit in a fold-up chair in the front row of the Mezzanine. The venue is tiny, so I had perfect view. The performance moved me to tears and I forgot all about my foot. hehe :)
This week caps off with a 4-week follow up appointment. I go in optimistic and leave completely deflated. Overall, I have been very worried about my foot not healing correctly and having a weird feeling that I should have gone to a different surgeon. Everyone around me says this doubt is normal, and I'm just in a temporary state of limbo. My follow-up does nothing to assure of me this though. It is a quick 10-minute appointment where my boot is removed, and I am told "You can start walking now, it should be healed." The thought seems impossible and completely insane. I ask about Physical Therapy, something I have been SO excited to begin. They say "Ehhh, There's no need, but if you really want it we can arrange it."
Um... pardon? Yes, please arrange that.
I insist on at least 3 sessions per week. The doctor's then slap a compression stocking over my raw, exposed wound without a bandage (ouch) and start to walk out of the room while I am in mid-sentence asking questions. I'm literally calling out questions from the table as they keep trying to head out of the door. They gave me no guidance, and I had to ask all of the questions:
Are you SURE 4 weeks isn't too soon? Shouldn't I be non-weight bearing for 6 weeks? (No, 4 weeks is plenty. The longer you baby the foot, the more difficult it will be to get it's proper function back) aka "use it or lose it"
My toe and stop of foot are still completely numb. Is that a problem? (Oh, they are? Hm, well I guess that makes sense. That will probably go away in a few months)
Should I be icing it? (No)
Should I continue elevating it? (No)
Should I take advil regularly? (Maybe)
If you're telling me I can walk-- would I be cleared to work an event in 3 weeks that requires standing all day? (Probably not, you should take it easy.)
"Okay, great, see you in a month."
I completely break down after this appointment. I totally understand that these Doctors are exhausted, overworked, and have to be concise at their appointments. But, I feel totally thrown off by this. I am terrified to re-injure my tendon, and I express that, yet am given no suggestions of how to begin walking/distributing weight, no stretching exercises. Literally zero. I revisit the thought that maybe this hospital was the wrong choice, but force myself to accept that it's already been done, and not to jump to conclusions. They did their job, and now the work of recovery is in my hands.
Physical Therapy: It Starts
Physical Therapy time is now! I choose a convenient place close by with a lot of positive "Yelp" reviews. Day 1 starts with me on crutches, on my boot. My PT massages my bare foot with lotion and moves the toe around. The massage is incredible. I am given a few basic stretches to start which require 100% effort and focus. My foot is so weak it can barely perform.
Calf stretch
Dorsiflexion up and down
Ankle circles both ways
Ankle dorsiflex side to side
Toe stretches back and forth (Gently)
My PT says the only chance of re-rupturing the tendon would be to crank the big toe down to quick and forcefully. I can barely move it to stretch down, and it basically cannot curl down. I can manually stretch the toe towards my shin, but it doesn't flex at all on it's own. The toe is extremely stiff. It's really nerve-wracking, but I realize I have only just begun!
Calf stretch
Dorsiflexion up and down
Ankle circles both ways
Ankle dorsiflex side to side
Toe stretches back and forth (Gently)
My PT says the only chance of re-rupturing the tendon would be to crank the big toe down to quick and forcefully. I can barely move it to stretch down, and it basically cannot curl down. I can manually stretch the toe towards my shin, but it doesn't flex at all on it's own. The toe is extremely stiff. It's really nerve-wracking, but I realize I have only just begun!
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