Tomorrow will be five weeks since my surgery. Its amazing how fast the time flies...but its not passing fast enough! :) Overall I am very pleased with my progress so far in the first five weeks since my surgery. Three more weeks in the boot and then I get to wear two shoes! Here is a rundown of how things are going with my ankle:
Pain: Towards the end of the summer, even before the ankle got injured, there was a considerable amount of pain. The pain was horrible right after the injury and then even worse after the surgery. However, for the past two weeks I have had almost no pain at all. This weekend the pain spiked a bit because I was on my feet a lot and traveled up to Saginaw. But, compared to where it was, the pain is so much better. Additionally, this spring I got severe pain in the outside of my calf and it caused me to stop running for about 6 weeks. It turns out that this pain was connected to my ankle and there is no more pain in my calf.
Movement: The only movement allowed right now is dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, no inversion or eversion allowed for another three weeks. I have pretty much full range of motion in both of these directions. Its a little bit short on the plantar flexion (pointing my toes) but I think it went too far before and now its tightened up a bit and therefore a little less flexible. My tendon used to snap everytime I flexed my foot and it has not snapped once since I had surgery. YAY!
Swelling: The swelling needs to make up its mind! One day its puffy and looks like the marshmellow man's foot and the next day there is not any swelling.
Activity: My Surgeon said I can do anything I want as long as the boot stays on it. So, no riding a bike or swimming for a few more weeks. I have gotten back to lifting upper body, doing yoga and pilates, and walking. My neighborhood is a half mile loop and I walk my dogs three times a day. Benny and Sally love it and its actually been pretty fun. I have met a ton of my neighbors by doing this and they have all been very nice.
My Knees: I am pleased to say that there has been no pain at all in my knees even though I have been in a walking boot for 10 weeks. Walking boots can be hard on normal, healthy knees and the changes in gait patterns can also be hard on healthy knees. My knees have not even so much as 'complained' one bit.
Overall: I am pleased with the progress and cannot wait to get the boot off on November 17th. I plan to hit the pool and get on a bike as soon as I can. The fact that there is almost no pain is such a positive thing. I really did not realize how much pain my ankle had been causing me until it got too bad. Now that the problem is fixed my ankle feels worlds better. There is still a long way to go in the recovery process, but so far things are off to a wonderful start.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
no second chances
I was at a Bible Study last night where the topic was John Bunyon and the idea of suffering. The topic of suffering seems to be a common Bible Study discussion. The truth is that nobody actually likes to suffer and go through trials and tribulations, but we all have them in our lives. Some people go through more than others, but no one is immune to trials in their lives. We cannot control what will happen to us or even when it will happen to us. The only thing we can control is what our response will be to those negative events.
John Bunyon spent 12 years in jail followed by another year after his intial release. The conditions of his jail sentence were not legitimate and beyond his control. He was sentenced to jail because of his faith. Prior to being sent to jail he married and had his first child. That child was born blind. He went on to have four more children. He then lost his wife and later remarried. Obviously he could have been bitter about so many of the circumstances in his life, but instead he remained hopeful and even wrote several very inspiring books while in jail.
Clearly, I do not quite follow the example of how to handle trials in ones life that was set by John Bunyon. I wish I had more strength some days to rise higher than I do and to handle trials with more grace, wisdom, character, and glory to God. My mistakes along the way are many and at times I wonder if I will ever 'get it right'. More now that ever I remind myself to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I cannot change my past mistake, there is little I can do to 'make it right, but I can change the way I react to the negatives in my life. My hope is that I can grow to be more like the person God wants me to be, to take trials with more joy and less grumbling.
My dad always tells me to 'do the best I can'. This is one of the "Four Agreements" in the book that my dad bought for me. My dad tries to live his life by the "Four Agreements". I have spent the better part of the past 7 years since he bought me that book looking for ways to make fun of him for liking the book. Yet somehow, no matter how much I try to avoid it, I know that in this situation my dad is correct. I am only now learning what it really means to 'do the best that I can'.
None of this is meant to be a time to beat up on myself and dwell on all my past mistakes which will ultimately bring down my attitude and be self-defeating. This fall has presented more challenges than I ever expected. There are many aspects of those challenges where I feel good about the decisions I made and the way that I handled the trials presented to me. However, there are other aspects where I am not so proud of the choices that I made and the way I chose to handle things. Being realistic and honest, I am acknowledging these things to myself and trying to do what I can to improve things and keep the negatives from happening again.
There are no such things as 'second chances' in life. I wish there were and I wish I had an unlimited supply of them waiting for me to use whenever I screwed up on something. If someone out there knows something about this idea of second chances that I seem to be missing...please fill me in on the details. For as far as I can tell, there is only one chance in life. We have the opportunities to make corrections along the way, but that one chance is all we have before us.
No one ever told me adulthood would be so confusing and so challenging. It always seemed so cool as a kid to be an adult.
John Bunyon spent 12 years in jail followed by another year after his intial release. The conditions of his jail sentence were not legitimate and beyond his control. He was sentenced to jail because of his faith. Prior to being sent to jail he married and had his first child. That child was born blind. He went on to have four more children. He then lost his wife and later remarried. Obviously he could have been bitter about so many of the circumstances in his life, but instead he remained hopeful and even wrote several very inspiring books while in jail.
Clearly, I do not quite follow the example of how to handle trials in ones life that was set by John Bunyon. I wish I had more strength some days to rise higher than I do and to handle trials with more grace, wisdom, character, and glory to God. My mistakes along the way are many and at times I wonder if I will ever 'get it right'. More now that ever I remind myself to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I cannot change my past mistake, there is little I can do to 'make it right, but I can change the way I react to the negatives in my life. My hope is that I can grow to be more like the person God wants me to be, to take trials with more joy and less grumbling.
My dad always tells me to 'do the best I can'. This is one of the "Four Agreements" in the book that my dad bought for me. My dad tries to live his life by the "Four Agreements". I have spent the better part of the past 7 years since he bought me that book looking for ways to make fun of him for liking the book. Yet somehow, no matter how much I try to avoid it, I know that in this situation my dad is correct. I am only now learning what it really means to 'do the best that I can'.
None of this is meant to be a time to beat up on myself and dwell on all my past mistakes which will ultimately bring down my attitude and be self-defeating. This fall has presented more challenges than I ever expected. There are many aspects of those challenges where I feel good about the decisions I made and the way that I handled the trials presented to me. However, there are other aspects where I am not so proud of the choices that I made and the way I chose to handle things. Being realistic and honest, I am acknowledging these things to myself and trying to do what I can to improve things and keep the negatives from happening again.
There are no such things as 'second chances' in life. I wish there were and I wish I had an unlimited supply of them waiting for me to use whenever I screwed up on something. If someone out there knows something about this idea of second chances that I seem to be missing...please fill me in on the details. For as far as I can tell, there is only one chance in life. We have the opportunities to make corrections along the way, but that one chance is all we have before us.
No one ever told me adulthood would be so confusing and so challenging. It always seemed so cool as a kid to be an adult.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Heaven on earth?
Life is good right now. I have four new pairs of shoes. One of which is exactly like my favorite pair of red heels, but they are flats. DSW Shoes is heaven on earth. Its a good thing there is not one near me...I'd be broke. :) It was slightly depressing to see all those amazing heels and not be able to wear them. So I found other shoes that made me happy. I got a pair of Merrels, a pair of Born's, and a pair of "fashion sneakers". I cannot wait to wear the right and left one.
On to the important stuff...my ankle appointment. I had my first Post-Op appointment today. I am happy to say that it went very well. Leaving the stitches in for three weeks made it quite the chore to get them out, but after a little bit of tugging and pulling the stitches eventually came out of my skin. This incision will not be pretty at all. Its about two inches long and on the outside of my ankle.
Five more weeks with the boot. Thats good because I would not have wanted to do something crazy, like wear my right and left shoe on the same day. I can work on getting back range of motion with plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. (for those who are not dorky like me...moving my toes up and down.) No side to side movement for another 5 weeks. No bike, or activity more demanding than a bike for 5 weeks. I can lift upper body, do core workouts, and even a little yoga as long as I do not balance on my right foot. And I can start to do light swimming in about two weeks...if I use my upper body mostly.
I want this all to be over now. Actually, I wanted it all to be over ten years ago. But, this is not going to be a pity party at all. The good news is that I have a lot less pain than before surgery...almost none really. When I flexed my foot today my tendon did not snap. So, things are heading in the right direction and that is encouraging.
Bedtime. Work tomorrow. And the dogs are getting into something which I should probably check on...
On to the important stuff...my ankle appointment. I had my first Post-Op appointment today. I am happy to say that it went very well. Leaving the stitches in for three weeks made it quite the chore to get them out, but after a little bit of tugging and pulling the stitches eventually came out of my skin. This incision will not be pretty at all. Its about two inches long and on the outside of my ankle.
Five more weeks with the boot. Thats good because I would not have wanted to do something crazy, like wear my right and left shoe on the same day. I can work on getting back range of motion with plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. (for those who are not dorky like me...moving my toes up and down.) No side to side movement for another 5 weeks. No bike, or activity more demanding than a bike for 5 weeks. I can lift upper body, do core workouts, and even a little yoga as long as I do not balance on my right foot. And I can start to do light swimming in about two weeks...if I use my upper body mostly.
I want this all to be over now. Actually, I wanted it all to be over ten years ago. But, this is not going to be a pity party at all. The good news is that I have a lot less pain than before surgery...almost none really. When I flexed my foot today my tendon did not snap. So, things are heading in the right direction and that is encouraging.
Bedtime. Work tomorrow. And the dogs are getting into something which I should probably check on...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Top Ten List
Its been three weeks since all of the fun of surgery. This is really the first time since the surgery that I have felt both the desire or the motivation to update on anything. Things have been crazy in my life since the surgery and for the past few weeks the fact that I had surgery was the least of my concerns.
I see Dr Manoli tomorrow. That is a good thing because I am going crazy not being able to move my ankle or do anything that would even remotely feel like progress with my recovery. Nope, instead I am going to work, coming home, and pretty much sitting on my butt all day with a very large, heavy, and ugle boot on my foot. Although my original instructions were to leave my foot wrapped in the original dressing until I saw Dr M on the 13th...that did not happen. I am proud to say I made it a whole 10 days before I gave in and unwrapped the ankle. Its pretty swollen, but not all that bruised. The scar is about two inches long and on the outside of my ankle.
This whole process has been a difficult one. Ever since my unfortunate Naschair incident on August 7th I have been either on crutches, wearing a boot, or attempting to limp around unsuccessfully. However, about a week ago I realized that the pain was significantly less than it had been before surgery.
My list of goals and plans for after recovery is growing everyday. Its good because honestly some days I need something to focus on that is not my ankle or the other issues that have been in front of me. Here is the list as of today:
1.) Learn how to Snow Board this winter.
2.) Go downhill skiing
3.) Cross country ski a lot
4.) Run by the end of January
5.) Run a 5K race by April
6.) Lory's Place 5k in May
7.) Firecracker Triathalon in early July
8.) Steelhead Tri in late July
9.) Surf a lot
10.) Hike Middle Teton in August
Okay, okay I know this is all incredibly optimistic and in most ways unrealistic...work with me here. It feels good to have some goals and even if I do not make all of them, I at least have something to motivate me. The past 10 weeks have been tourture. I hate sitting still.
I am finally getting back into school in January. It only took a few years to figure out what I really want to do. Now that I know, I just have to get at it. My desire and my goal for a long time now has been to get a degree in nursing. Things are all set and I am going for it.
Tis all for now. Although the past three weeks have been very difficult and painful, things are looking a lot more positive. I have been so encouraged by my wonderful co-workers, friends, and Church family. Its been a wonderful reminder that I am not alone through anything that happens. So, one foot in front of the other...keep moving forward...all those silly cliches.
I see Dr Manoli tomorrow. That is a good thing because I am going crazy not being able to move my ankle or do anything that would even remotely feel like progress with my recovery. Nope, instead I am going to work, coming home, and pretty much sitting on my butt all day with a very large, heavy, and ugle boot on my foot. Although my original instructions were to leave my foot wrapped in the original dressing until I saw Dr M on the 13th...that did not happen. I am proud to say I made it a whole 10 days before I gave in and unwrapped the ankle. Its pretty swollen, but not all that bruised. The scar is about two inches long and on the outside of my ankle.
This whole process has been a difficult one. Ever since my unfortunate Naschair incident on August 7th I have been either on crutches, wearing a boot, or attempting to limp around unsuccessfully. However, about a week ago I realized that the pain was significantly less than it had been before surgery.
My list of goals and plans for after recovery is growing everyday. Its good because honestly some days I need something to focus on that is not my ankle or the other issues that have been in front of me. Here is the list as of today:
1.) Learn how to Snow Board this winter.
2.) Go downhill skiing
3.) Cross country ski a lot
4.) Run by the end of January
5.) Run a 5K race by April
6.) Lory's Place 5k in May
7.) Firecracker Triathalon in early July
8.) Steelhead Tri in late July
9.) Surf a lot
10.) Hike Middle Teton in August
Okay, okay I know this is all incredibly optimistic and in most ways unrealistic...work with me here. It feels good to have some goals and even if I do not make all of them, I at least have something to motivate me. The past 10 weeks have been tourture. I hate sitting still.
I am finally getting back into school in January. It only took a few years to figure out what I really want to do. Now that I know, I just have to get at it. My desire and my goal for a long time now has been to get a degree in nursing. Things are all set and I am going for it.
Tis all for now. Although the past three weeks have been very difficult and painful, things are looking a lot more positive. I have been so encouraged by my wonderful co-workers, friends, and Church family. Its been a wonderful reminder that I am not alone through anything that happens. So, one foot in front of the other...keep moving forward...all those silly cliches.
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