Thursday, November 5, 2009

Day 365+! One Year Later!


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
November 5, 2009

Well, it's finally here! My one-year anniversary! I am SOOO happy! I feel like a completely different person. This surgery may have helped me more mentally than it did physically! And what they did physically I consider a miracle.

Today here I stand, solidly, on two feet, exactly one year later. November 5th. 12 months ago I wondered if I'd ever run again. And as I go through some of my past posts, all these feelings are coming back, and I'm remembering what I went through. To be honest, I've blocked most of it out. Your mind can do amazing things.

This was a long, hard journey, but I'm not sure I've EVER been more motivated to do anything in my life. I ran my last 5k before surgery in October of 08, with a PR and a time of 22:30. This October I ran the same race, with a time of 23:04. I've worked my butt off to get this far and plan to keep doing so! I met with a running specialist/physical therapist this week because I have poor running form. I am running with a limp, although it doesn't necessarily hurt. It turns out I have some very weak hip/glute muscles from atrophy after surgery, so I've been given a stack of exercises and now that we've pinpointed where the weaknesses lie, my running form should correct itself in no time.

One of my major concerns about surgery was whether or not I would be able to play soccer after surgery. However, I was unable to play prior to surgery as well, because my ankles were in such bad shape. So I didn't have anything to lose there. I have tried several times to play soccer. I can kick around just fine, without taping, however, when I tape up, it seems to "mush" everything together and I get a lot of popping that is quite unbearable, so I haven't been able to play very competitively for longer than 8 minutes. It's extremely frustrating and very upsetting. I've gone to a couple games, and leave in hysterics each time. So I've come to terms with it, and I will not try to play again until after my wedding. Because I haven't gone through all of this to NOT be able to walk down that aisle!

I am extremely grateful for everything. I am able to run, and more importantly, my quality of life has improved so dramatically. I can now stand at the kitchen sink and not fall over while doing dishes. That is the thing I notice the most. I have pain still, yes, of course. But it's normal and I'm so used to it that I would probably notice if it DIDN'T hurt, rather than when it does. And it's okay. I have a lot of scar tissue that needs to be worked out, but I've also come a long way.

I have new focuses in my life. I am now a Group X Instructor at 24 Hour Fitness, and I'm loving it. It feels right. Being bed ridden for 3 months taught me patience. It made me lose my mind...but also taught me patience. I feel a void without soccer, but I'm hoping that will fade with time. I went in for my 9 month check-up with a printed page of results, a picture of me running in the race, and my name and time highlighted at #1, and handed it to my surgeon. The look on his face was priceless. "Melissa, that is amazing..." he has it on his desk still. :) It makes me happy. I wanted to print out a new one when I beat that time, but figured one was enough.

To all of you who have been reading this, and emailing asking how I am doing, I'm so sorry for the delay in responding, and sincere thanks for your concern! I am alive, and well and know a great surgeon in Dallas if you are interested, which you probably are if you're reading this! I mean, who else's surgeon walks into the room on your 1-year check-up, gives you a hug and says "Happy Birthday!" I look forward to my appointments because I have so much good news to share! I'm also part of a case study at Baylor, they are evaluating my gait before and after surgery, and charting my progress. A surgeon from the UK is flying in and they are presenting my case to him! Awesome! It's an unusual case, I'm still not "cured" by any means...they would have to do an osteotomy of my tibia and that's SO not going to happen. I consider myself lucky right now, I'm not going to try my luck again!

I think to celebrate I will go to boxing twice today. All I know is that I'll be doing something athletic. I thought about waiting until the pm class, and going for a run beforehand, but I'm not sure I can make it through the day without releasing some endorphins, I'm so freaking excited!

11/5/08 + 11/5/09


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Comparison pre and post-op. 11/5/08 and 11/5/09.

October 3, 2009


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Finished 1st in my age group, females 25-29, for the 5k. 10/3/09

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Day 175+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Getting closer and closer to the actual 6th month mark! Eeeek! Exciting. Gosh I wish I could run. Have I mentioned that?

My foot is feeling a bit better today. Not enough of an improvement from day to day to keep me happy, but I'm wondering what exactly that would take at this point? Not sure. Anyways, I'm hanging in there! I'm anxious to get back to boxing as well, since I'm out of that too, until the stitches are removed. Or at least until this gash heals up some more!

Day 174+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Lovely photo, isn't it?! Yes, I know. My pride and joy right there.

I'm walking a bit better. It's still very sore, it feels a little bit better than when the screw was in there, but I can't really tell for sure yet. The whole area is still so sore from surgery, ugh. I still can't touch the outside of my foot, nor can I touch my heel of course...it still has stitches in it, for another week. So it's sandals for me for a while!

My soon-to-be sister-in-law, Ana, so kindly donated her bike to me, so after my Dad and Juan spent some time fixin' it all up for me, they're so wonderful, I finally took it out yesterday afternoon. I don't think I've ridden a bicycle that wasn't permanently adhered to the gym floor in oh...say...10 or 15 years. Okay, that's a lie, I rode once a couple years ago. Anyways, it was tricky at first, but after a lap around the block, I felt confident enough to take it for a real ride. So I "biked" my errands yesterday. So much fun! And today, my legs hurt in a strange way. Not like the muscles inside hurt like when you normally get sore, but my legs hurt to touch... like even my skin hurts! It's very odd, but that's okay. I'm excited to have this new bike to play with. Hopefully I'll be running in the next 2 weeks, but, *sigh* I will bike for now!

Day 167+, Surgery #2, Hardware Removal


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
So here I am, right after the second surgery to remove the huge painful screw from my heel. And after looking at it I realized I shouldn't feel like a wuss for being in so much pain. That thing is enormous, and really shouldn't be inside your body, or sticking out of your heel. :)

Surgery went well, it was tougher and more involving than the surgeon let on, but oh well, it's over now. It only took a few minutes for him to unscrew, by hand, and remove the heel from my bone. There is a nice incision on the back of my heel and two huge stitches closing it back up. I was under for quite a while, and pretty much slept all day. Something about surgery, it's the best sleep ever! No interruptions! It was pretty painful that day, not nearly as painful as the reconstruction itself, ugh...that gives me the shivers! But I couldn't "walk" out of the OR like the Doc said I would be able to. I couldn't bear any weight the day of surgery.

By the end of the first day post op, I could bear a little bit of weight, so that's good. I was on pain meds the first day, and that was it. Didn't need them after that! Yippie! But was really sick the next couple days, just slept straight through them.

Overall, hardware removal was a definite success, and I even got to take the screw home with me. It's definitely my favorite piece of hardware, even above all the trophies and medals I've collected over the years, because this shows what I've gone through more than any award ever could!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Day 162+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Day 162 post op, 4/16/09. My foot swells so much, that with a shoe on, all the swelling gets pushed up to where there is no shoe constraining it. Nice. Real nice. This picture was taken in the middle of the day, after I had been sitting all day. Oh, wait, actually—— I did go to boxing that morning. But still, it gets sooo swollen all day.

I had my 5 1/2 month post-op check up with the Doc on Friday. He said it looks great! It feels amazing (minus the screw). The doc said last time I was in that I could run if I was up to it. Unfortunately, I only made it once because the screw causes so much pain I can't push off of the ball of my foot. He felt the back of my heel, where the screw head sticks out and mentioned how big the screw head was, as if I can't feel how big it is. :) So he asked me if I wanted it out, I said yes, he asked when, I tried to get him to do it the next day, hehe, but he actually said I could do it Tuesday (tomorrow) to my surprise. He had initially told me after 6 mos I could get it removed, but I am long since healed so we are good to go!

So tomorrow morning I go in for "hardware removal." He said it wasn't a big deal, but the nurse already called me and I have to prepare for "surgery." I wish they wouldn't call it surgery. I can't handle another one. It's exhausting. But then again, I'd rather prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised than the opposite.

I woke up today and my heel felt great. All day it felt great, really. I thought it was a sign, that maybe I should just give it a couple more months, that maybe the pain will subside. So I went for a "run" when I got home, and that definitely convinced me that I am making the right decision. I didn't make it far at all. Granted, I did much better than last time, but it's just not worth it right now. I am for sure going to pull another muscle or throw something out of whack because of how bad I am limping when I run. It's just not right!

So wish me luck tomorrow, I'm pretty nervous and very anxious to be myself again. I can do two a days at boxing class, but still cant run. I REALLY want to run. Soccer...well, we'll talk about soccer later. The doc said I could play, but I dont think he understands that I, nor the people I play with, play for "fun." :)

Day 162+, Right Ankle


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Day 162+ post op. 4/16/09.

Day 162+, Left Ankle


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
For comparison. 4/16/09.

Day 139+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Day 139+ post op, I can stand on one leg all by myself! This was taken two months ago now, haha, I've been a bit busy, but it was very exciting! I've been back at boxing for about 2 months, I even tried running once! It was a beautiful day, I went out for a "walk" and was uber frustrated right off the bat because I'm so tired of walking. I want to run!! So I tried very slowly to run, and to my surprise, I could do it! I must have run a mile! Very slowly, and embarrassingly, but I ran a mile! I cried a little too. From happiness. Very overwhelming. I've been through a lot these past five months! More later!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Day 126+, Past 4 months post-op


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
So, I haven't blogged in quite a while, it's probably been good for me. Today is actually day 126, but you'll be happy to know I have actually stopped counting UP the days. Now I'm back to counting down. Now I'm counting down the days until I go to boxing class (1), until I can try to run (16), until I can REALLY run, play soccer, walk in the middle of the night, things like that.

I had my 4 month post op appt last Friday. I went in with a long list of questions, anticipating the worst, ready to discuss all the pain and swelling and the many days I have ahead with more of the same. I was half right. I have more days of the pain and swelling. However, he said this is normal, which I figured at this point was not. Apparently I am crazy. He again reiterated "we CUT OFF your heel..." yeah yeah yeah, I got it. But at what point do we get to stop saying that, and I'm supposed to just be "OK?" Apparently this sort of thing doesn't happen with reconstructive surgery. It's apparently a pretty big deal. :)

ANYWAYS...the doc said I am WAY ahead of schedule. Shocked me! He said for being only 4 mos post op, I have much more functionality in my foot/ankle than he thought I would. Awesome! He was impressed at how well I was walking. Laughed at my sunburn. (Was taking good care to cover up my scars in the sun, forgot about the rest of my foot, ouch)! And said if walking goes well I can try running in 3-4 weeks. I asked him if he was sure. He looked me, puzzled, and I told him I just wanted to check, because as soon as he says I can run, I'm not going to stop. :) He understood. I love this guy. He is the best surgeon ever. I wish he would have done my previous surgeries as well!

So I feel good. I think. :) When people ask how my ankle is doing I honestly, never know what to say. "Based on what?!" I think. Compared to right before surgery? Well, it's a hell of a lot stronger, but I'm in much more pain and can barely walk. But it's better. And compared to 6 weeks ago, it feels amazing! And compared to what it hopefully will feel like in 6 months? It feels horrible! :) It's a very complicated question. I still don't know what to say.

I put dress shoes on for the first time last Saturday. You can see the line of where the shoe came up to in this picture. It forced all the swelling up. It was disgusting. I'm going to try boxing tomorrow. I'm excited. I think. And nervous. I can bike. I can walk. I can swim. I can do the elliptical..well, sort of. I can only bear it for 10 minutes or so. Everything from my ankle to my knee seems to snap in and out, its extremely uncomfortable. But I don't have to crawl to go to the restroom in the middle of the night. I can kind of walk. It hurts like hell, but I can do it.

Doc wants to remove the screws at 6 mos post op, b/c it is giving me too much pain he said. And, he is right. I'm hoping that in these next 2 mos, the pain subsides and I can live with the screw in my heel. But seriously, you can feel the screw head through my skin. I can't wear shoes really. It hurts! I figured this would happen. He said it's an "easy" procedure. Compared to what?! Mentally, I CANNOT handle this again so soon. But he said they barely put me under, make an incision, grab their drill, unscrew the screw, and I walk out of the OR with the screw in a doggy bag. No down time. Yeah, right. Whatever. This sucks. It really, really, really sucks. But...it's going to be worth it. I know it.

There are already things I can do now that I never could have done before surgery. Like, stand on one foot, for instance. It is painful, but i can do it! I don't fall over like an idiot! That makes me so happy. Gosh, I can't wait until I'm back in the game!

Cheers!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Day 108+

Ow. That's all I've got. Ow. I can walk, it's difficult and painful, but I can walk. 

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Day 105+, Week 15

Today marks my 15th week anniversary. That makes me 105 days post op. I completed my 4 weeks in the boot, and began really walking on Monday. So for the past three days I've started out and finished the day without ever getting in the boot, which is EXTREMELY exciting. Monday morning I brought it with me to work, and left it in the car, mostly as insurance. It's still sitting in the car. :) I'm trying not to use the crutches either. I put them in the back of my closet. To be rid of those walking aids is so freeing, it's an incredible feeling. I'm so happy. 

I'm so happy that I'm getting super antsy. It's 76 degrees outside. In February. There are people mowing their lawns. It smells like summer. I NEED TO RUN. But not yet. I can't. I actually have a very hard time walking without a limp. However since Monday I've made incredible progress, so I'm thinking by this weekend the limp will be gone. It's hard though, because the pain is back. It's always great when I'm at the end of a phase (like I am at the end of the 4 weeks in the boot), because I feel great, almost no pain, little soreness. But now, introducing walking into the mix, which I obviously haven't done in 100 days, is very difficult. I have a lot of pain when I walk, and a TON of pain at night. I was almost in tears last night. I want to be done with this, but know it will be a while, and so that is really frustrating.

Monday I was so happy I was tearing up, now today I'm so frustrated I am tearing up. It's quite silly, really. :) But having this frustrated feeling inside of me, well, that is what's going to get me back on that horse, so I guess I should stop complaining. I AM grateful to be walking. And I just need to remember that I've come so far, and I have to take the baby steps in between to get to where I want to go, I can't skip those crucial steps, or I will set myself back. And like I've said before, there was more than one motive behind this surgery, one of those was to take better care of myself, and this is ALL part of that. 

So, I'm going to try to put the pain out of my mind. I can get both of my worn out New Balances on without too much trouble. I tried to wear my "real" running shoes to work today, the ones that are in great shape (not stretched out) and have the orthotics in them. I got out of my house and barely sat down at my desk before I had to take them off, it was just too painful to even have them on. They are much too tight. Ugh. Baby steps, Melissa, baby steps.

Today I go to the Physical Therapist for my 4th appointment (I only go every 2 weeks), and I'm anxious to hear how much range of motion and strength I've gained in the past couple weeks. And in a couple more weeks, I will go get my body fat tested again. Dun dun dun... :) But I am starting to feel really good, when I work out I am starting to see more and more of the "athlete" Melissa, physically and mentally, and that is a wonderful feeling. In some ways I can't believe I did this...but more so, I knew I could. :) I'm ready, let's do this!

Pain: 2
Quote(s): 
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Mahatma Gandi

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden

(I couldn't choose between the two quotes today, they were both too pefect!)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Day 98+, Week 14

Hooray! 14 week anniversary today! Day 98 post op. Almost at 100! I have had a very exciting last couple of days. Monday I had my best swim ever. It was great, I felt amazing, everything made sense. I "got it," everything was in sync. My breathing, my kicking, my arms. I was so happy! I went for a swim again on Tuesday, and had another really great swim. Just 3 weeks ago I could swim one length of the pool, I could do that 3 times in 20 minutes with several minutes of doggy paddling in between. Now I must have done the length of the pool at least 10 times, and twice I did two lengths in a row! I'm sure this is a bunch of nonsense to anyone reading this, but that's okay.

So today I rode the stationary bike. I did 40 minutes on the lower bike, and 10 on the upper bike. (Upper bike is much harder!) I felt so wonderful. And now I am beginning to see my hard work pay off. I am beginning to look more in shape. It's terrific! I tried the rowing machine today, first time I was able to do it. My second attempt, however. The first time I tried with my boot on, that doesn't work so well. And at that point I couldn't take my boot off, so I had to wait on the rowing machine. I did the rowing machine today and was able to bend my ankle quite a bit. Did my sit-ups, the usual. Starting to get my "real" life back. Went tanning, went to the grocery store, made some dinner, did some baking for Juan, and then... I took a SHOWER. My first shower! Oh, wait. Maybe second. Regardless...it was teh first time I could do it semi-comfortably. The bath mat was killing me though. It has these raised circles for "traction" and it felt like I was stepping on huge rocks. Oh well, couldn't ruin my exercise high!

I spoke with the PA (physician's assistant) last week. He said I needed to be in the boot for 4 weeks. Which is rather confusing to me, since the surgeon told me 3 weeks ago that I was "good to go" and it was "rock solid." The PA wasn't in the room for my last appt with the surgeon, so I don't think he knows what's going on, but I heeded his advice anyways, because healing correctly is important to me, and I'd rather be safe than sorry. So 4 weeks in the boot is Friday, so as of then I will start walking more. I'm kind of taking advantage of it not being 4 weeks yet. I'm walking in the boot just fine, and my knees are bothering me less. Probably b/c I am doing less walking. Oh well.

So I feel super duper. I still can't walk in the mornings. It's super painful in the morning. It's like it does not function for the first 15 minutes I am awake, it's weird. Well, that's all I've got for now, my concentration is shot. Hooray for 98 days. I'm so happy and proud of myself. I feel so motivated and I have so much hope. I needed this surgery for numerous reasons, and now I'm starting to see the benefits of surgery in more than one way. I feel I have matured quite a bit, and my eyes have been opened to several other athletic activities, like...swimming that I'm giving an honest chance. I may even join some sort of swim program. After my "money diet" is over. :)

Cheers!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Day 91+, 13 weeks


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
13 week anniversary, can you believe it?! After a week of walking in the boot, I have successfully hyperextended/thrown out both knees. Now I remember exactly why I always try to get out of this thing early. It really messes up the rest of your body!

Took a week off of swimming, just did stationary bike. That went well. Got in the pool for the first time yesterday and actually it felt a lot better. If I concentrate on NOT concentrating on the ankle and the pain, I can swim well. I know, sounds crazy. But when I am conscious of my injured right ankle, my right leg doesn't kick at all while swimming. It just floats there.

Yesterday was the first day I was able to fit both feet into shoes! I pulled out the most worn-in and stretched out pair of sneakers I have, gritted my teeth, held my breath, and inserted my foot. Yee-ouch. But it's okay. It fit! So I walked around most of yesterday in my sneaker, sans boot, sans crutches. It was nice. Painful, but nice. There feels like there is layers of "stuff" in between the bottom of my foot and the shoe itself. Really pretty gross. I'll be excited when the swelling in my heel goes down and am able to touch the outside of my heel, it is still insanely painful and disgusting. But it looks wonderful!

So here is a pic of my feet, in my shoes. Although you can't tell from the photo. That's okay, I had fun blowing out the contrast and playing with the image. I had PT this am, he was impressed with my progress. Thank goodness. Considering the last time I saw him he told me to quit it at the gym until I could walk. And today I was walking in shoes! He wants me to call the Doc and ensure that's okay, but I think it will be fine. I'll call anyways though.

The PT said I have gained quite a bit of strength and a LOT of range of motion in the past two weeks. That's exciting. He gave me more new exercises, some including some hip muscle ones, apparently I have proximal hip muscle weakness, from being on crutches so long, it's hard for my body to hold my hips up. Odd, but I believe it. I can feel it!

Pain: 1-2. 3 by the end of the night. Still no pain meds. Advil actually does seem to be helping a bit, finally...hooray!!
Quote: Grr. Book is not here. I need a better system. :)

Day 90+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Getting in shape, getting happier...slowly but surely! 2/3/09

Day 90+


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2/3/09

Day 90+


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Great pic of the peg leg, 2/3/09

Day 90+


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2/3/09

Day 90+


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2/3/09

Day 90+


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2/3/09

Day 82+


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A little out of order, but day 82 was the first day I could really stand in the boot sans crutches with weight equally distributed between both feet.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Day 85+

Day 85 post op. 12 week anniversary was yesterday. Whoa. No photo today, sadly. My camera battery is dead and I spilled milk on the charger and now it's broken. :)

I went a week of working out, non-stop, a combo of swimming and stationary bike, before my first PT appt last Friday. That day was 7 days after I saw the Doc, who told me I would be off of my crutches in 5-7 days. Well, I sacrificed walking for my workouts that week, so I was still on them, and not happy about it. 

The physical therapist told me to concentrate on walking before going back to the gym. Smart man. :) So I took 5 days off, I can kinda walk now. Not all day long, but today was the first day I only brought one crutch to work, and I left it in the car. :) It hurts, don't get me wrong, but I'm tired of not being able to walk, so I really don't care how much it hurts, it's time to walk. And I'm not being stupid, the Doc said it would hurt to start walking, but that I wasn't doing any damage. And I'm off pain meds, happily. I'm just tired of taking them, it's annoying. I'm ready for my real life again! 

I got my body fat % tested yesterday, so that I can look back in six months and be so proud of how far I've come. I was putting it off because I knew I was not going to be happy with my new number, I was in pretty good shape pre-op, then was sedentary up until now. So my muscles have atrophied quite a bit, any muscle I have left is now very mushy. *vomit*. So the trainer told me my number, and sure enough, I'm not happy. 9% higher than pre-op. I had to hold back tears. But, that motivates me. I have a long way to go, but nothing motivates you more than the trainer grabbing your stomach fat to test how fat it really is. Argh! So then I went to the grocery store...I'm going to get my body fat tested before I go grocery shopping every time—I left there with not one unhealthy thing. :) Ha.

That's enough for now. Hopefully pictures soon.

Pain: Bad in the mornings, bad at night, decent during the day. 
Quote: "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Mahatma Gandhi

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Day 73+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Whoa. It's day 73 post op. Photo is day 69+. I had my 10.5 week Doc appt yesterday, I was so nervous and anxious I didn't really sleep the night before. I was so happy going into the Doc's office yesterday morning! He came in, asked me how I was, for the first time I responded that I was great! He looked at the xray and said it is awesome, gave the ankle a tug and said "oh yeah, that is rock solid" and I don't remember feeling so good! At least not in the last 73 days. :) I expected a lot of pain, but to my surprise, my ankle didn't slide out of socket like it used to when he pulled it! I told him to grab the other one, and he looked at my with this "holy shit" look on his face and said "oh my god...". Yeah, lefty's still pretty messed up. But we'll worry about that guy later. Focus is on righty's recovery right now. :)

Anyways, he said I can walk, he said I can swim, I can ride the stationery bike, etc. Pretty much, I'm free to go! I was so confused when he told me I could walk.... I asked him if he know how painful it was to put weight on it...he said "well it's going to take some time to ween yourself off the crutches. Probably 5-7 days." I told him I thought that was pretty aggressive, but go figure, 2 hours later I am practically running around my office at work... I still had to use the crutches but was putting 80% of my weight on it!

The nurse was really helpful. I couldn't touch my toes to the ground, and I was having so much pain in the ball of my foot (and the top of my foot...Doc said there's nothing wrong, the pain is from not using it, that it would get better)... but my toes didn't touch the ground, so I wasn't sure how to walk... She slowly pushed my toes down to the ground (I am holding my breath during all this), she held them there for a few seconds, picked up her hands, and voila! Toes were touching the ground, they stayed! It was exciting!

I spent most of yesterday with 80% of the weight on my foot. By the end of the day it was as swollen as it was 4 weeks post op. But I iced and elevated, and it went right back down, thankfully! They gave me a good go-by...she said put 25% of my weight on it for 25% of the day for 2 days or until I don't feel pain when doing so, they move to 50%, etc. It was pretty sore this morning, so I might have to take it a little slower, but I did get to swim today! That was really fun. I felt so free! It was SO NICE TO ENGAGE ALL OF MY MUSCLES AT ONE TIME! I'm so tired of isolating a muscle group to work out! Ahhh! I swam for 20 minutes and did maybe 8 laps. hehe. Pretty slow but I don't mind. I used a noodle under me for most of it, wasn't using my legs the whole time, I was pretty nervous. But it was less painful than I anticipated! I'm going to wait until I can bear 100% of my weight on it before I move to the bike. I think that's smart. I'm so happy to be able to go to the gym again.

After today, I have a very positive feeling. A much more positive feeling than I did after I had my last ankle surgery. I have my first PT appt next Friday, but I probably won't go too often. It's not like I have to gain a lot of strength back...the surgeon fixed that for me! I'm wayyy better off now than I was before surgery! I don't need a PT appt to make me do the exercises. I am PLENTY motivated on my own. :) I will just go check in so they can monitor my progress, but don't want to spend thousands of dollars having them watch me do the stupid theraband. :) Besides, the Doc already told me I have my strength back after the little test he did.

Okay, enough for now, but yippie!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Day 69+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Is this not the most beautiful ankle you have ever seen?! (Dead serious)! The pic is day 66+. This thing looks amazing! It's starting to feel much better too. It's hard for me to notice the progress, but people are starting to notice that I am better. I am up more and for longer periods of time. I can keep my foot down for HOURS now, oh my gosh, hooray!

I ice during the day now, I started this last week. There's more swelling than I think there should be, and I'm determined to get it down. My heel is squishy, it's gross. There's a part of the outside of my heel I can't touch, it makes me dizzy, and when I cross my legs it displaces some tendon, very strange feeling. But it looks so darn good!

Friday I was feeling extremely anxious and had had a couple beers and decided to put a LITTLE bit of pressure on it while in the boot WITH the assistance of my crutches and I found that i COULD! I even tried it the next day, sans beers, and I COULD! So I am assuming the the Dr. will tell me Friday that this is okay, or I wouldn't be attempting it. I really don't want to mess this up!

It gets very sore at the end of the day. I went a couple days w/o pain meds just as a reality check to make sure I could, and I can and I did. It hurt and I didn't sleep worth a sh*t, but I can. I'm cutting it in half anyways, so that's good, but it helps me get better rest. The ball of my foot and the bones on top still REALLY hurt. All the time. I hope that goes away next. :)

Doc. appointment Friday, wish me luck. Maybe I'll be able to swim soon. I hope so, I'm getting really mushy!! My tummy is like the Pillsbury dough boy. Hehee!

Pain: 0-1 during the day, 10 if I put too much weight on it, and 1 at the end of the day.

Quote: "We acquire the strength we have overcome." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 66+, Comparison


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Note pocket of swelling on left foot that has now vanished from the right foot! I hope it's gone forever! I thought that was normal, but apparently it is not!

Left Ankle (no op)


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Note pocket of swelling present on left foot, that was present on right prior to surgery.

Day 66+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
View of Day -1 (pre-op) and Day 66+ (post-op). My new ankle is BEAUTIFUL!

Day 65+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
Yes, it still gets extremely blue and red when I have it down for too long. But that is usually at the end of the day. I can now have my foot down for hours at a time! Hours! Oh my gosh, yay!!! (It's still more comfortable if it's up, but the point is that I CAN put it down!)

Quote: "Fall seven times, stand up eight.": - Japanese proverb

Pain: is a 1, when it hurts, which is at the end of the day and if I put too much pressure on it, I sky rocket to between a 6 and 10. :)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Day 64+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
My 9 week anniversary was yesterday! Awww...yay...how fun. I'm doing okay. It feels the exact same, but I do have increased flexibility. I took all of the wedges out of my boot today, so my foot is actually sitting relatively flat. That is a huge improvement since I got the cast off. So, three weeks ago.

One more week until my next doctor's appointment, which then I think is the appointment where we try to put some weight on it. Mixed feelings about that so far. I should be excited, but from the "tests" I've done so far, I'm nowhere near ready for that. I still have a LOT of pain in the bones on the top of my foot, and the ball of my foot. The heel is sore still from the inside out, but I don't feel it that often. It's pretty sore all over by the end of the day. So I'm still doing half a vicodin, but its a low dosage and the Dr AND Katie said it was okay so I'm trying not to feel so guilty. But I am doing my alphabet and icing, so that makes me feel good.

Yesterday my alarm went off, and I accidentally kinda sorta stepped off of the bed with the wrong foot. OH. MY. GOD. That's all I have to say. So painful. The pain was immediate though, and didn't last, so I suppose that's good. I feel like it's a little bruised, like when you roll your ankle, theres a large area on the outside of my ankle and heel that I cannot feel, so gross, along with some definite swelling that just seems to sit in the bottom of my foot, the bottom of my heel is so squishy to the touch, totally disgusting.

Pain is the same, Quote: Oh you're kidding...I took the book home so I would have it near me while posting, and now I'm not at home, figures. :)

Day 62+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz

Day 59+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz

Day 59+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz

Day 59+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz

Day 59+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz

Friday, January 2, 2009

Day 58+


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Originally uploaded by megalitz
So it's day 58 post op, I am more than 8 weeks since surgery. Hard to believe. Image is from day 55+. I was scratching my foot, there was a tiny piece of what I thought was a scab that was itching, but wasn't ready to come off yet. But I scratched at it some more, subconsciously, and what do you know, I pulled out a stitch! The woman left it in my foot! Crazy!

Anyways, there have been some hard days the past couple weeks. The time is going by slower and slower, days are harder and harder. I take a half a vicodin before I go to bed, and the doc said that was okay. I don't really even take much Advil during the day, I don't find that it does much, I will occasionally take it praying it will help with some of the swelling. That pocket of swelling on the inside of my foot is still there.

I have two more weeks on crutches. I can do the full alphabet pretty well. I called the doc a few days ago to ask if I could start swimming. I hate swimming, but I'm ready to get out of this rut I am stuck in against my will. He said not yet. Which I understand, but it did make me cry. I guess I didn't really think he'd say no. I wasn't ready for that answer.

I'm thankful that it is a new year, I needed something to give me a little uplifting, positive energy. The start of a new year always helps.

We ate dinner out for NYE, and the restaurant was too crowded for me to elevate my foot on another chair. So I had my foot down for the whole dinner, the longest its been down since surgery. It was painful. I was in a lot of pain for the rest of the evening. Not so much fun. I can't believe I still can't put it down for as long as I'd like. Probably another sign I'm not quite ready to swiim. :)

Pain: 1