Hippo also tore his Achilles. His leg was torn so she put a cast on so his leg wouldn't fall off again. He has to wear the cast for five more weeks.
I think she has way more fun on the crutches than I do.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Leesha and hippo tore their 'Achelies'
Check out the video. Leesha put on my boot and said she tore her Achilles. Listen for the giggles, the "whee!", and at the end she says, "I can't even fold my leg."
Hippo also tore his Achilles. His leg was torn so she put a cast on so his leg wouldn't fall off again. He has to wear the cast for five more weeks.
I think she has way more fun on the crutches than I do.
Hippo also tore his Achilles. His leg was torn so she put a cast on so his leg wouldn't fall off again. He has to wear the cast for five more weeks.
I think she has way more fun on the crutches than I do.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Extreme Makeover - Achilles Edition
My friend Michelle and her boyfriend Chris brought us dinner the other night - really great homemade pizzas.
Here is Michelle and I before (last summer, playing sand volleyball)
Here is Michelle and I after (showing off our matching Achilles scars - I'm the one on the right, with the cankle)
Now this is the weird kind of messed up makeover where we want to get back to how we were before. Michelle tore her left Achilles in November playing volleyball. I was amazed that she showed up in flip flops and without a limp - there is hope! She is still a couple of months away from explosive movements. She should be able to get in some games this sand season. I'll have to wait for indoor. We traded stories about being NWB and our significant others traded stories about waiting on us hand and foot. It was great!
Here's a close-up of my incision - it's healing nicely. I'm not sure why it's puckered at the top. I was reading on achilles blog about adhesions...? Just what I need, another complication...
The update on walking: since Wednesday, I've pretty much ditched the crutches. The first few steps in the morning are painful, but other than that walking is slow but good. I take the boot off at home whenever I'm sitting, because it's really hot and sort of uncomfortable. I've been using the crutches for trips to the bathroom (to avoid putting my boot back on). That sort of feels like cheating though... so today, Saturday, the crutches are in the bedroom, not to be used at all! It feels great to be able to walk, to help my husband cook dinner, etc. I still have a long way to go - and I can't wait until I'm out of the boot (next Friday). I found an old flip flop that I've never liked, never worn, but it's just the right height for walking in the boot. I suppose flip flop isn't the best choice for footwear, but: it's only 50% of my weight, it keeps me cool, and it's the best thing I've got for walking in the boot! Ok mom?
My husband is sleeping so Leesha and I snuck Pride & Prejudice in the DVD player - ha! Better get to watching before he wakes up...
Here is Michelle and I before (last summer, playing sand volleyball)
Here is Michelle and I after (showing off our matching Achilles scars - I'm the one on the right, with the cankle)
Now this is the weird kind of messed up makeover where we want to get back to how we were before. Michelle tore her left Achilles in November playing volleyball. I was amazed that she showed up in flip flops and without a limp - there is hope! She is still a couple of months away from explosive movements. She should be able to get in some games this sand season. I'll have to wait for indoor. We traded stories about being NWB and our significant others traded stories about waiting on us hand and foot. It was great!
Here's a close-up of my incision - it's healing nicely. I'm not sure why it's puckered at the top. I was reading on achilles blog about adhesions...? Just what I need, another complication...
The update on walking: since Wednesday, I've pretty much ditched the crutches. The first few steps in the morning are painful, but other than that walking is slow but good. I take the boot off at home whenever I'm sitting, because it's really hot and sort of uncomfortable. I've been using the crutches for trips to the bathroom (to avoid putting my boot back on). That sort of feels like cheating though... so today, Saturday, the crutches are in the bedroom, not to be used at all! It feels great to be able to walk, to help my husband cook dinner, etc. I still have a long way to go - and I can't wait until I'm out of the boot (next Friday). I found an old flip flop that I've never liked, never worn, but it's just the right height for walking in the boot. I suppose flip flop isn't the best choice for footwear, but: it's only 50% of my weight, it keeps me cool, and it's the best thing I've got for walking in the boot! Ok mom?
My husband is sleeping so Leesha and I snuck Pride & Prejudice in the DVD player - ha! Better get to watching before he wakes up...
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Blood Clot, The Mars Volta, and Walking
The blood clot
I found out more about the blood clot - I had to follow up with my PCP on Monday, but she's on maternity leave, so I followed up with another doctor. The fancy name is that I have a thrombus in the anterior tibial vein. The doctor said there are varying opinions on whether this vein is in the superficial (not serious) or deep vein system (serious). He spoke with a blood clot specialist who said that this area generally doesn't cause problems (pulmonary embolus) so my doctor recommended one Aspirin per day - the same thing my surgeon recommended. The Aspirin will thin my blood, and now that I'm moving around more the clot should go away on its own. The pain is getting much better. I found some good information here if you want to read more.
The Mars Volta
My brother and I went to see The Mars Volta at the Roy Wilkins. I was glad I had convinced my brother to forgo general admission and get nice, comfortable seats (we bought the tickets before the fateful day of 3/1). We walked the two blocks to the venue (not such a good idea, even with both crutches) and went in - only to find that it was all general admission. Ummm... I can't stand for four hours... and I paid for a seat... Luckily, a really nice lady led us to a platform in the back and brought us 5 chairs - me, my foot, my brother, my boss, his wife. (Yeah, my boss likes The Mars Volta, how cool is that). The show was awesome. They played non stop for 3 hours.
The Walking
Walking is getting better and better. I've been walking around with no crutches, and taking one or two with me when I go out in public. My heel sometimes gets sore on the bottom. It is great though, to be able to carry stuff! I spent an hour cleaning our apartment last night - I must be feeling better.
I found out more about the blood clot - I had to follow up with my PCP on Monday, but she's on maternity leave, so I followed up with another doctor. The fancy name is that I have a thrombus in the anterior tibial vein. The doctor said there are varying opinions on whether this vein is in the superficial (not serious) or deep vein system (serious). He spoke with a blood clot specialist who said that this area generally doesn't cause problems (pulmonary embolus) so my doctor recommended one Aspirin per day - the same thing my surgeon recommended. The Aspirin will thin my blood, and now that I'm moving around more the clot should go away on its own. The pain is getting much better. I found some good information here if you want to read more.
The Mars Volta
My brother and I went to see The Mars Volta at the Roy Wilkins. I was glad I had convinced my brother to forgo general admission and get nice, comfortable seats (we bought the tickets before the fateful day of 3/1). We walked the two blocks to the venue (not such a good idea, even with both crutches) and went in - only to find that it was all general admission. Ummm... I can't stand for four hours... and I paid for a seat... Luckily, a really nice lady led us to a platform in the back and brought us 5 chairs - me, my foot, my brother, my boss, his wife. (Yeah, my boss likes The Mars Volta, how cool is that). The show was awesome. They played non stop for 3 hours.
The Walking
Walking is getting better and better. I've been walking around with no crutches, and taking one or two with me when I go out in public. My heel sometimes gets sore on the bottom. It is great though, to be able to carry stuff! I spent an hour cleaning our apartment last night - I must be feeling better.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Walking
Saturday morning I walked up and down the hall of our apartment building (my husband came with me). It went pretty well, I even went down to one crutch a little on the way back.
Saturday night we went out to Mi Familia with mi familia to celebrate my birthday. I used two crutches there.
Sunday at church I brought only one crutch and walked Zach all the way down to his class and then walked with Jeremy into the church service. I even stood up when we were supposed to (and then sat down when I got tired.) So far it seems that my one year old niece walks better than I do!
We stopped by Sprint on the way home and I one-crutched it in there. I was pretty tired when we got home and my heel was hurting a little.
It was really nice outside today (finally) so I convinced my husband to go for a walk. We brought the wheelchair and he pushed me. I'm not quite up for that kind of walking yet!
The view from the wheelchair
Later I went for another walk up and down the hallway, this one didn't feel quite as good as before - I used two crutches.
So, those are my first attempts at walking. My calf muscle looks like it is starting to come back a little tiny bit. I still have a long ways to go. I am reminded that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint - and there are setbacks. Just because I walk down the hall with one crutch doesn't mean I'll be able to do it again two hours later.
Saturday night we went out to Mi Familia with mi familia to celebrate my birthday. I used two crutches there.Sunday at church I brought only one crutch and walked Zach all the way down to his class and then walked with Jeremy into the church service. I even stood up when we were supposed to (and then sat down when I got tired.) So far it seems that my one year old niece walks better than I do!
We stopped by Sprint on the way home and I one-crutched it in there. I was pretty tired when we got home and my heel was hurting a little.
It was really nice outside today (finally) so I convinced my husband to go for a walk. We brought the wheelchair and he pushed me. I'm not quite up for that kind of walking yet!
The view from the wheelchair
Later I went for another walk up and down the hallway, this one didn't feel quite as good as before - I used two crutches.
So, those are my first attempts at walking. My calf muscle looks like it is starting to come back a little tiny bit. I still have a long ways to go. I am reminded that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint - and there are setbacks. Just because I walk down the hall with one crutch doesn't mean I'll be able to do it again two hours later.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Post-Op #4
6 weeks, 1 day post-op
Getting There
Friday... I show up at the location I usually go to, but nobody was there. My cell phone was really low on battery and my gas light had come on, and I had to drive 20 minutes to the other location (What if I ran out of gas, my cell phone died, and I had to crutch for miles? - these are the thoughts I was having). I lost my appointment so I'd have to wait until they could see me.
There
I got in to see my surgeon. He checked out my tendon and had me push with my foot against his hand. He said I could ditch the crutches and start full weight bearing in the boot. I was a little shocked, I expected a gradual increase to weight bearing. He wrote me a script for physical therapy starting in two weeks. I can also start wearing a shoe in two weeks, with a heel lift (the same as what's in my boot). Then each week I peel away a layer of the heel lift until it's gone. I see my surgeon again in four weeks. I can take the boot off when I sleep - or whenever I'm not 'walking' around.
He was ready to leave and I was like, "Do you want to look at my calf? That's why I'm here." He looked at it and still didn't think it was a blood clot because I didn't have any of the symptoms. I was telling him about how the pain was bothering me and something I said must have convinced him to send me for an ultrasound.
Leaving There
I kept the crutches and tried to walk out of the clinic. It felt pretty weird and I'm sure it looked weird. My foot doesn't quite know what to do yet. I walked over to the physical therapy office and made my appointment. I got some gas, hopping. Got back to work and practiced walking a little.
The Ultrasound
First of all, NOT what I expected at all. I thought I'd lay on my stomach and they'd ultrasound my calf. I had to lay on my back, pants off, sheet covering me. She uses the ultrasound to check all the veins and arteries from my groin to my foot, pushing in as she goes - checking to see if the blood is going back to the heart. She found something on the front of my leg on the outside, and was looking for the source of it behind my knee. She kept pressing behind my knee where it's been hurting - ouch. The whole thing took at least an hour. Luckily I had my husband there holding my hand.
My surgeon sent orders for them to hold me and call him if they found anything. So they took us to this little waiting room where we waited for the phone to ring. The phone rang. My surgeon told me they found a blood clot - he used some big words and I'm sure I'm not explaining this very well. Basically it's small, superficial, and below the knee so it's something they don't really treat. He advised taking an aspirin a day and he'd follow up with my regular doctor on Monday. It should go away on it's own. At least I know where all the pain is coming from!
Getting There
Friday... I show up at the location I usually go to, but nobody was there. My cell phone was really low on battery and my gas light had come on, and I had to drive 20 minutes to the other location (What if I ran out of gas, my cell phone died, and I had to crutch for miles? - these are the thoughts I was having). I lost my appointment so I'd have to wait until they could see me.
There
I got in to see my surgeon. He checked out my tendon and had me push with my foot against his hand. He said I could ditch the crutches and start full weight bearing in the boot. I was a little shocked, I expected a gradual increase to weight bearing. He wrote me a script for physical therapy starting in two weeks. I can also start wearing a shoe in two weeks, with a heel lift (the same as what's in my boot). Then each week I peel away a layer of the heel lift until it's gone. I see my surgeon again in four weeks. I can take the boot off when I sleep - or whenever I'm not 'walking' around.
He was ready to leave and I was like, "Do you want to look at my calf? That's why I'm here." He looked at it and still didn't think it was a blood clot because I didn't have any of the symptoms. I was telling him about how the pain was bothering me and something I said must have convinced him to send me for an ultrasound.
Leaving There
I kept the crutches and tried to walk out of the clinic. It felt pretty weird and I'm sure it looked weird. My foot doesn't quite know what to do yet. I walked over to the physical therapy office and made my appointment. I got some gas, hopping. Got back to work and practiced walking a little.
The Ultrasound
First of all, NOT what I expected at all. I thought I'd lay on my stomach and they'd ultrasound my calf. I had to lay on my back, pants off, sheet covering me. She uses the ultrasound to check all the veins and arteries from my groin to my foot, pushing in as she goes - checking to see if the blood is going back to the heart. She found something on the front of my leg on the outside, and was looking for the source of it behind my knee. She kept pressing behind my knee where it's been hurting - ouch. The whole thing took at least an hour. Luckily I had my husband there holding my hand.
My surgeon sent orders for them to hold me and call him if they found anything. So they took us to this little waiting room where we waited for the phone to ring. The phone rang. My surgeon told me they found a blood clot - he used some big words and I'm sure I'm not explaining this very well. Basically it's small, superficial, and below the knee so it's something they don't really treat. He advised taking an aspirin a day and he'd follow up with my regular doctor on Monday. It should go away on it's own. At least I know where all the pain is coming from!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tips & Tricks Part 2
My family/friends/coworkers have been great at helping me out. But when they aren't around, you have to make do...
Carrying things with crutches
Carrying things with crutches
- Armpit Crutching
This is a new one I just discovered - because all we had to eat was leftover pizza and no one was around - and I needed a way to carry it to the couch. You have to go slow, you can't go very far, you have to be careful, and you can't tell your mom (because she will freak out). With my left arm I crutch as normal, with my hand bearing the weight. With my right arm, I use my armpit to bear the weight and to move the crutch, leaving my right hand free to carry the pizza. - Apron from grandma
My grandma made this apron for my mom to carry her cell phone around the house. Well, it works perfectly for carrying stuff on crutches, too! - In your pants
This is works well for a Diet Dr. Pepper from the fridge, or for my juice in the morning (in a sealed mug from Starbucks). It requires pants with a tight elastic waistband and some confidence - because it looks funny and people will laugh at you. I save this one for at home. At work I use my desk chair and push myself over to the fridge. - In your fingers
You don't really need your fingers for crutching, so you can carry a Nalgene bottle or something small. - Over your shoulder
I use this for carrying my clothes, or my towel to the bathroom, or basically anything that will stay there!
Tips & Tricks
Electronics
Thank you iPod, laptop, and TV for entertaining me while I've been stuck on the couch.
Loofah
Works great to get the dead skin off your almost-always-covered injured leg.
Toenails
Have your husband help you with these. They're a little difficult to reach. Jeremy painted mine purple and they look great! Although, I don't think I can wear flip flops for a while - probably not the wisest footwear when all my weight is one foot. Bummer!
Sock
What do other Achilles victims wear in their walking boot? I've been wearing the sock like material from the doctor - the stuff they put over your foot in the splint. It works great - there are no seams and it's high enough that it doesn't cut into the swelling, plus it lets my toes stick out.
Padding in the splint and boot
I guess I have really bony feet or something because I kept getting pressure sores. I finally realized that if you put padding on the part that isn't sticking out, that part will take the pressure. I put a pad just above my heel and that really helped in the splint. In the boot I put a pad on the inside of my foot.
Ok, I guess that's it for tips and tricks. My friend Michelle (who ruptured her left Achilles in November) suggested screaming - whenever I get frustrated with my injury. She said it helps.
Tomorrow I have my Post Op #4. It was originally scheduled for Monday the 21st but I called on Wednesday because the pain in my calf was driving me nuts. It was aching when I was sitting, and hurting pretty badly when I was up walking around. I would be feeling great if it wasn't for that. Anyway, the doctor wasn't too worried about it (calf pain can mean blood cot) but wanted me to come in on Friday.
Have any other Achilles victims experienced calf pain like this? Or had any trouble with pressure sores? Except for the week after surgery, most of my pain and discomfort has been from these complications rather than the repaired tendon.
Thank you iPod, laptop, and TV for entertaining me while I've been stuck on the couch.
Loofah
Works great to get the dead skin off your almost-always-covered injured leg.
Toenails
Have your husband help you with these. They're a little difficult to reach. Jeremy painted mine purple and they look great! Although, I don't think I can wear flip flops for a while - probably not the wisest footwear when all my weight is one foot. Bummer!
Sock
What do other Achilles victims wear in their walking boot? I've been wearing the sock like material from the doctor - the stuff they put over your foot in the splint. It works great - there are no seams and it's high enough that it doesn't cut into the swelling, plus it lets my toes stick out.
Padding in the splint and boot
I guess I have really bony feet or something because I kept getting pressure sores. I finally realized that if you put padding on the part that isn't sticking out, that part will take the pressure. I put a pad just above my heel and that really helped in the splint. In the boot I put a pad on the inside of my foot.
Ok, I guess that's it for tips and tricks. My friend Michelle (who ruptured her left Achilles in November) suggested screaming - whenever I get frustrated with my injury. She said it helps.
Tomorrow I have my Post Op #4. It was originally scheduled for Monday the 21st but I called on Wednesday because the pain in my calf was driving me nuts. It was aching when I was sitting, and hurting pretty badly when I was up walking around. I would be feeling great if it wasn't for that. Anyway, the doctor wasn't too worried about it (calf pain can mean blood cot) but wanted me to come in on Friday.
Have any other Achilles victims experienced calf pain like this? Or had any trouble with pressure sores? Except for the week after surgery, most of my pain and discomfort has been from these complications rather than the repaired tendon.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Countdown to Weight Bearing
One week and one day until weight bearing! The range of motion is getting better. The swelling is better but my ankle still gets pretty fat if I keep my foot down for too long. Ice and elevation get it back to normal after a couple of hours. Three of the five tapes have fallen off and the scar looks pretty good. (See the bottom of this post for photos)
Can you tell I'm feeling better? Not as much time to write in my blog now! I'll try to fill you in on the main events that you missed...
Parking at work
I flagged down a parking enforcement officer in downtown St. Paul. There is no handicapped parking at my building and the parking garage is over a block away and there are stairs - not a big deal unless it's raining or snowing. The meters outside the building are valid for four hours with a handicapped pass. According to the officer, I have to move my car two blocks after four hours or else I will get a ticket. So how am I supposed to work 8 hours and park close to the building? It doesn't make any sense. He said he wouldn't give me a ticket but he couldn't speak for anyone else. He didn't know who we could call to complain about it. Our landlord for our office building has also not returned our calls about handicapped parking. So far I've been parking at the meter all day and haven't gotten a ticket.
The ER
I went to the ER Monday (4/7) after work. No, not for me! My husband got another one of those really bad headaches at work - this time with dizziness and nausea - and his boss called 911. His coworkers worried that I couldn't drive over there (because of my injury) but I could. So I headed over to Fairview Southdale at about 6 pm, freaking out... He was sleeping when I got there. They did an MRI which turned out to be negative and he got discharged around 11 - diagnosis of vertigo and non-specific headache, with instructions to return if it happened again.
We went to Perkins for muffins because we were starving and it was a 1/2 hour drive home. Buy three, get three free and a hot chocolate - mmm. The funny thing about Perkins is they have about 8 handicapped parking spots out front and a really heavy door (not an automatic handicapped door). I guess handicapped people go to Perkins, but not by themselves.
Slippery Outback
My husband and I had a date night planned for Friday. I had great plans of getting dressed up nice and going out somewhere but by the time Friday came I was exhausted. I suggested getting takeout but he didn't like any of my ideas for food. He suggested Outback and I convinced him to meet me there instead of getting takeout. I arrived before he did, and drove around to the side of the building for Handicapped Parking. There was a door and a sign that said "Ring the Bell for Handicapped Entrance" or something like that. Weird. I rang the bell and waited, freezing... I peeked in and saw a waitress coming so I stepped back. Waited, freezing... Finally I crutched over to the front door. A hostess and the manager opened the door, said they just missed me at the other door. My crutch slipped and I lost my balance, flexed my bad foot, but caught myself before stepping on my bad foot. I have had at least three slips like that but that one was the worst. I was scared, and a little mad, and I couldn't help it - I started crying right there in Outback. The manager was really nice, asked me to come in and sit down so they could make sure I was ok. I said "no, I want to leave" but finally I came in and waited for Jeremy.
I'm really careful outside when it's snowy or rainy or sleety, but I have to remember those tiled floors are slippery! I'm scared to death of re-rupturing my Achilles.
Anyway, we had a nice dinner - or at least I did. Jeremy hated his steak and didn't eat most of it. We also got up sold on some Coke Zero that we thought was free, oops. They took the steak off the bill, which was nice.
We went to Best Buy and used one of their wheelchairs to shop around. We were trying to find a new TV series to watch since we finished House and can't agree on anything else. I was looking for something that could play my iPod in my car. Jeremy was looking at Blue Ray DVD players vs. the PS3. We didn't buy anything.
The scar so far
The couch
I have everything I need within arm's reach.
It's great, but my husband gets a little annoyed with the 'clutter.'
The bathroom
The toilet seat is from Goodwill and so is the bath chair.
I use the bath chair so I can stand at the counter.
My husband uses the other bathroom.
For the past week I've been standing up in the shower on one foot. Before that I'd take a bath and hang my bad foot over the edge of the tub. I don't know if you really wanted to know that but for me it was a big milestone. I scoot the bath chair right next to the shower so I can step in and step out without hopping
Can you tell I'm feeling better? Not as much time to write in my blog now! I'll try to fill you in on the main events that you missed...
Parking at work
I flagged down a parking enforcement officer in downtown St. Paul. There is no handicapped parking at my building and the parking garage is over a block away and there are stairs - not a big deal unless it's raining or snowing. The meters outside the building are valid for four hours with a handicapped pass. According to the officer, I have to move my car two blocks after four hours or else I will get a ticket. So how am I supposed to work 8 hours and park close to the building? It doesn't make any sense. He said he wouldn't give me a ticket but he couldn't speak for anyone else. He didn't know who we could call to complain about it. Our landlord for our office building has also not returned our calls about handicapped parking. So far I've been parking at the meter all day and haven't gotten a ticket.
The ER
I went to the ER Monday (4/7) after work. No, not for me! My husband got another one of those really bad headaches at work - this time with dizziness and nausea - and his boss called 911. His coworkers worried that I couldn't drive over there (because of my injury) but I could. So I headed over to Fairview Southdale at about 6 pm, freaking out... He was sleeping when I got there. They did an MRI which turned out to be negative and he got discharged around 11 - diagnosis of vertigo and non-specific headache, with instructions to return if it happened again.
We went to Perkins for muffins because we were starving and it was a 1/2 hour drive home. Buy three, get three free and a hot chocolate - mmm. The funny thing about Perkins is they have about 8 handicapped parking spots out front and a really heavy door (not an automatic handicapped door). I guess handicapped people go to Perkins, but not by themselves.
Slippery Outback
My husband and I had a date night planned for Friday. I had great plans of getting dressed up nice and going out somewhere but by the time Friday came I was exhausted. I suggested getting takeout but he didn't like any of my ideas for food. He suggested Outback and I convinced him to meet me there instead of getting takeout. I arrived before he did, and drove around to the side of the building for Handicapped Parking. There was a door and a sign that said "Ring the Bell for Handicapped Entrance" or something like that. Weird. I rang the bell and waited, freezing... I peeked in and saw a waitress coming so I stepped back. Waited, freezing... Finally I crutched over to the front door. A hostess and the manager opened the door, said they just missed me at the other door. My crutch slipped and I lost my balance, flexed my bad foot, but caught myself before stepping on my bad foot. I have had at least three slips like that but that one was the worst. I was scared, and a little mad, and I couldn't help it - I started crying right there in Outback. The manager was really nice, asked me to come in and sit down so they could make sure I was ok. I said "no, I want to leave" but finally I came in and waited for Jeremy.
I'm really careful outside when it's snowy or rainy or sleety, but I have to remember those tiled floors are slippery! I'm scared to death of re-rupturing my Achilles.
Anyway, we had a nice dinner - or at least I did. Jeremy hated his steak and didn't eat most of it. We also got up sold on some Coke Zero that we thought was free, oops. They took the steak off the bill, which was nice.
We went to Best Buy and used one of their wheelchairs to shop around. We were trying to find a new TV series to watch since we finished House and can't agree on anything else. I was looking for something that could play my iPod in my car. Jeremy was looking at Blue Ray DVD players vs. the PS3. We didn't buy anything.
The scar so far
The couch
I have everything I need within arm's reach.
It's great, but my husband gets a little annoyed with the 'clutter.'
The bathroom
The toilet seat is from Goodwill and so is the bath chair.
I use the bath chair so I can stand at the counter.
My husband uses the other bathroom.
For the past week I've been standing up in the shower on one foot. Before that I'd take a bath and hang my bad foot over the edge of the tub. I don't know if you really wanted to know that but for me it was a big milestone. I scoot the bath chair right next to the shower so I can step in and step out without hopping
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Real World
My tendon is stretching and my foot is starting to feel more comfortable in the boot. The foot exercises are starting to feel a bit better and not quite as awkward. It still gets swollen at work, fat in the ankle. What did Val so lovingly call it, cankles? I definitely have a cankle.I figured out a new trick at work. I use my desk chair as a wheelchair and go back and forth from my desk to the kitchen. Then I can carry stuff! I'm sure it looks funny.
I also realized that the parking meters outside the building are valid for 4 hours with a handicapped pass. So if I get to work at 10 and go to Starbucks at 2, I can park at the meter until 6. Luckily today, Erin was up for the Starbucks trip, otherwise I would have had to order my iced mocha in my Nalgene bottle so I could carry it. Unluckily today - and I didn't realize it until I was sitting comfortably at my desk - there was no espresso in my iced mocha. Arrgh!
I've been venturing out into the real world a little bit more. California Pizza Kitchen, Woodfire Grill, TGI Fridays, and of course Starbucks. Most are pretty handicap friendly - I just ask for an extra chair to prop my leg up. (My coworkers are also really awesome at helping me out). The funny thing about Starbucks is that they have this really huge handicapped bathroom with a really heavy door (how are you supposed to open it) and a small trash can with the foot step opener thing (again, on crutches, how are you supposed to open it?). TGI Fridays doesn't have handicap doors, and when we got there it was a 20 minute wait and all the seats were taken. Now, when you can't put weight on your foot, it is not comfortable to stand for any length of time. I was getting teary eyed at the injustice of it all. Luckily the bench opened up outside. It was chilly but it worked.
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