Calm

My new challenge has been to cut back on pain medication. I'm a firm believer that less is more when it comes to medication.  I am now only taking one pill to sleep at night.  This is my second day to not have anything during the day. I thought I would be more alert and have more energy. Actually, I feel more sleepy and I'm not moving as much. I'll accept that for now. I think it's just my body trying to deal with the pain naturally.  I'm able to feel all of my foot and leg now. I can wiggle my toes and do isometric movements with my leg. I feel some pins and needle sensation at times. Nothing too bad...Guess I'll just curl up with a book and stay calm for a while! 

Beginning of the end...

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On October 31, I twisted my ankle again. I knew instantly that my existing posterior tibial tendon injury was in for another run. When I took off my shoe, I noticed that my ankle was touching the floor and my toes were even more separated. I wrapped my ankle in a bandage, covered that with my usual brace and smiled like nothing was wrong (as much as possible). By Thanksgiving, I could only take a few steps without pain and my leg was beginning to cramp for hours at a time! I finally scheduled the dreaded appointment with my ankle orthopedic surgeon. The MRI confirmed that my injury had progressed beyond conservative treatment stage. I was put back in an air cast boot and told that I would need to wear it until I had surgery. I was also warned that putting off surgery could lead to further damage and the outcome of surgery would probably be less favorable.  My life was slowly put on hold and surgery was scheduled! 

Surgery...fresh start!

2 Days Post Surgery 

My surgery included tendon transfers and bone re-construction. I'll put the official names another time. 

Surgery took place at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 18th at Hermann Memorial City Hospital. It took about four hours.  After surgery, I was "admitted" for observation around 6:00 PM. I have very little memory of the recovery room or the move. I was blessed to have an angel named Valerie for my nurse. She helped me through the horrible first night. Steve brought me home from the hospital late Wednesday night. We went back for my cast on Friday. That's when I saw the damage! Actually, It really helped because I could see that my incisions are healing very well. I have very little swelling, no oozing or redness yet either! They re-positioned my foot into better shape and plastered it there in a cast. I will go back on Monday, January 7th for cast #2