Shoes!!

It's time to start transitioning into a shoe! I've started by wearing it around the house and at the gym.  It will take up to a month to completely give up the boot during my daily routine but I'm thrilled about starting the process! Getting into a shoe has allowed me to use the stationary bike for up to 45 minutes. I've been able to use my elliptical for 15 minutes at home. My legs are starting to work together better when I swim. I've been able to swim free style this week without running into the wall. I know that sounds crazy but I'm really excited about it!! It's such a blessing to be able to strengthen my cardiovascular endurance by moving faster and moving more! 

The doctor says I'm a little past first base on my recovery. I'm expected to take a year to fully recover. I can already see a big improvement in the area that was repaired but everything else from my toes to my hip is paying a price! I can expect to see improvement with nerve pain, swelling, balance, and stability as the recovery progresses. I'll check back in when I make it to 3rd base! 

I'm so thankful for my friends and family.  I have been so blessed by their prayers, love, support, and understanding! 

crutches...no crutches??

I'm thankful that I've had crutches to help me through this phase of the recovery but crutches are not my friend! Besides killing my back and shoulders, I almost took out a lady at the gym when one of them fell out of the shower!! I finally began total weight bearing (with the boot) during the last afternoon of my leave from work.  I was able to give up both crutches to move around the classroom on the first day back. I would then use one or both crutches to support partial weight when going for longer walks. Last Sunday, I walked at church without the crutches. That was a little too much too soon because I ended up icing and elevating the rest of the day! This week, I found myself using them less and less each day. My crutches have been in the car for the last two days.  I'm hopeful that they will stay there. My PT said I'll be walking in wearing tennis shoes sooner than I think. Until then...I'll keep on boot scootin' along!!

Four, Three, Two, One...

The count down is on.  Next Wednesday is the day I will return to work. Teaching Kindergarten is not just work, it's a like being a mom to 20 little kids! From the minute I came out of surgery, I've been scared to death that I would never be ok to return. I woke up this morning with the same tears I went to sleep with...afraid that I'll never walk again! After starting my day with my stretches, I went to my physical therapy appointment. I quickly let my PT know that I did not want to repeat the stretches because I had already done them. I explained that I have only days before I return to school. I begged her to help me move forward for the full hour. Today was my first official day to begin partial weight bearing. We started that over a week ago, so she let me move on with some total weight work. I was able to balance back and forth, walk up and down a few steps, and crutch across the room (all without a boot). It hurt but it was acceptable pain. After icing my foot to get the swelling under control, Steve took me to the gym. Armed with the ability to put my foot on the floor to get up and down the pool steps, I was actually able to get in and out of the pool without all of my fan club! I started with lunges and toe raises and then tried to use the kicker board to move down my lane. I'm not sure if my leg is just weak from the cast or if all of my muscle has turned to fat, but I didn't even move! Finally, I gave up and tried swimming again. It worked! I was able to do 2 laps each of breast stroke, side stroke, and back stroke. I'm not sure if anyone else would know that's what I was doing but who cares! I navigated the steps one more time to get in the hot tub. It was such a treat to put my foot next to a jet even if the heat made my foot swell so big I could barely get back out! Now I'm home with ice on my foot again. Steve keeps telling me it's going to get better but I've been having a hard time believing him. What a difference a day makes. I finally know I'm going to be able to walk again and I'm going to be ready to go back to my kids next week!

Splash!

It was back to the Wellness Center (HBU Bradshaw Fitness Center) today. This gym is my favorite choice for rehab...the pools are amazing! I almost fell two times trying to get into the lap pool. I "walked" in shoulder deep water for about an hour. My PT told me that shoulder deep would take about 60% of the weight off my foot.  I'm usually not too bad at swimming but my ankle and leg just won't make that work for me yet. I used the resistance weights to work my arms and shoulders. I'm hoping this will make using crutches easier. Every retired person in the pool swam circles around me and yet I was exhausted.  I'm so thankful that the Wellness Center allows Steve to come with me as my care taker.  I thought we might have to call the fire department to get me out of the pool...oh my goodness!! In case you're imagining him behind me pushing me out like the broken down church bus, we didn't have to resort to that! He stood at the top, making suggestions and cheering me on.  Crutch walking back to the door to load up in the car was almost impossible.  As I sit resting 3 hours later, I still feel like I just ran a marathon.  I'll be back in the morning...hoping this is going to get easier everyday!!

Bring on the PT...

Turns out that soaking my leg after the cast came off was not a one-time thing! The new raw skin feels worse than a sunburn! Good grief...I didn't expect that!!  I've faithfully completed my stretches on my own all week while I've waited to begin PT today. My PT guy was impressed because I've re-gained my full range of motion for all non-weight bearing movements.  He even let me begin partial weight bearing today.  I've crutch "walked" around the house 3 times. It's hard and it hurts enough to keep me from over doing it. I also started using a compression sock to decrease the swelling and my foot is not as purple or numb. I'm more hopeful today than I was yesterday...I'm thankful for that!!! 

Cast Off...

It was a big day today...we took off the final cast! I will be wearing a boot for for the next 8 weeks. This will give the screws and the heel long enough to recover. The first thing I did when I came home was wash the layers of flaky skin off of my leg. After that, I massaged the layers of dried skin around the incisions with coconut oil. The scabs just dropped off. As I continued to massage the areas, they became less sensitive and started to come back to life! The most exciting thing about today was starting my stretches! I'm very familiar with the stretches I need to start out with. They have been a part of my life for almost 3 years now. The doctor told me to take it easy and not to be a hero. He assures me this is going to take a while. I'm really not happy about that part but I'll do what he says. After all, I only get one foot! I will begin physical therapy on Thursday morning.  Next Wednesday, I'll be able to start putting weight on my foot again. I start with about 10 pounds of pressure and continue to add more as tolerated until I'm able to walk almost normally with with crutches.  I'll be using crutches to keep partial weight off of my foot for the first 6 weeks of walking.  I'm wrapping my foot in a bandage and a brace tonight. I'm finally going to bed without a cast and with a little less pain! 

I Can...

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you missed 30 days of work? I've imagined skipping work to go on a cruise, spend hours at the gym, or even to go grocery shopping without the crowd.  I am in the middle of an extended medical leave. This is the opposite of a vacation.  I have so much time but I can't do the things that would be fun. I can't clean my house, organize a closet, or even work out! I hoped to return sooner but that is when I've been released to return to full duty. This is the first time I've gone so long without working (including summers and childbirth).  I have 15 school days left before I return. Yesterday I did a simple thing I've always wanted to do. I tagged along with Steve while he ran an errand at Town Square. When he ran into the store, I sat at one of the outdoor lounge areas with my feet propped up. The music was relaxing and it was a beautiful day.  It was such a treat to enjoy 10 minutes during the calm part of the week outdoors! I miss my class more than words can express and I can't wait to be with them again. I know the substitute is doing a great job but I grieve for what I'm missing out on with them! Until I can return, I will focus on what I get to do, instead of what I can't do as I take baby steps forward each day!
Some Other Things I’ve Enjoyed…Reading, Netflix, finally taking a shower (with an old lady stool), Steve’s cooking, cards from my wonderful friends and family, meals from sweet friends, painting my nails, texting, Facebook, and talking on the phone! 

Shedding

3 Weeks Post Surgery....

Yesterday was a big day. Steve took me to the orthopedic surgeon's office to have the second cast removed. Even though my ankle didn't look as "pretty" as last time, the surgeon said it's looking good. 

Cold Spray was applied and my staples and stitches were all removed. After I adjusted my foot into a 90 degree angle it was frozen into place with another hard cast. This cast comes up even further on my leg.  It's such a relief to have the stitches and staples removed. The pins & needles sensation has improved very much! I took advantage of the break from pain by running an errand for school. It was nice to be out and accomplish something. By the time I got home, my foot was ready to rest. The swelling seems worse today. I think it's because the cast is so tight on the ankle. I will return to have this cast removed at the end of the month. At that time, I will be placed in an air cast boot. 

Awake...

I am now officially off of all medication...night and day! On Wednesday night I traded my bedtime dose of pain med for X-strengh acetaminophen. For the past few days I've experienced constant nerve firing in my foot and my body felt achy. This was intense when I tried to sleep. Yesterday, I had another day of motionless existence as I tried to keep from stimulating myself with movement or emotions!  As much as I wanted to take something last night, I really just wanted to be alive again. I woke up feeling different today, a little more focused and a lot more like myself!  My body feels good and my brain is starting to adjust to nerve firing going off in my foot. I've been able to use the crutches more to get around. I even sat at the table for breakfast and lunch (with my foot down) without my toes turning purple. The pain is still there but it just doesn't seem to matter because my brain is adjusting. For the first time since December 18th, I am AWAKE!