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!