I'm a WEANer!!!

That's right!!! You heard it hear first!!! I am off the crutches :)

Last Wednesday I went to see Dr. Fugle and he and his peeps adjusted the boot to just five degrees short of whatever normal is. AND he said I can start walking without crutches, to which I replied "WHAT? YOU CRAZY" and I gave him three snaps in a Z formation!!! Not really, but when I tried to walk in the office it was a MASSIVE FAIL!!! Oh Lord, it HURT!!! I really did THINK he was crazy and he thought it was funny, but he told me I could wean myself off the crutches over the next week by spending a couple of days on two crutches and then a few days on one crutch and finally none!!! Just the boot!

Day 1 Wednesday (after appointment)-Two Crutches - Add Weight:
YEEOOUCH!!! The new angle SUCKS!!! It hurts like H-E-double hockey sticks, PLUS, the boot MOVES now!!! That's right, instead of just being in the stretched position it flexes and when it reaches it's maximum (new) angle I see stars and I break out in a sweat and sometimes get a little light headed...mother of pearl it hurts!

Day 2 - Two Crutches/Lets Try One? - Oooh I feel so free, well not really, although, now I can carry stuff in one hand! But, I am so SLOW.

Day 3 - One Crutch - Aw Screw It: I started the day with one crutch, but at some point it was just in the way...So, I hobbled around still VERY SLOWLY and not at all smooth, but with both hands free and life was GOOD...UNTIL I sat down and then tried to get back up and then I needed one crutch again, cuz maybe when the Doc said to spend a couple of days on one crutch he knew what he was talking about :-/
This evening I used the crutches at Eddie's high school reunion. It's kinda weird going back to the crutches after knowing I can walk without, I felt a little like a fraud, but mostly I knew that after a loonng first day of walking I could not count on being fully able-bodied...

Days 4,5 and today: There is some soreness in the back of my knee on the ATR (achilles tendon rupture) leg. I know this feeling, it's sort of a feeling of hyper extension mixed with weakness. I tend to baby the tendon by walking somewhat straight legged and due to my bow legs it can result in a minor hyper extension in the knee all to avoid the "full" range of motion that the boot allows (that I should be striving for...please don't tell)! Every first step is filled with pins and needles and after a period of time I begin to feel pain and fatigue. I try to concentrate on keeping my toes forward and walking properly, but I know that I get lazy and do what is less painful on my achilles when I want to keep going and it starts its nagging. The result is... now I need a chiropractor! I can feel soreness in my opposite hip and up and down my back, but all in the name of PROGRESS!!! It's a good theme, I think I'll stick with it :)

My next appointment is next week and we shall see what we shall see!!! I am anxious and nervous to start physical therapy but mostly anxious!!!






The Boot and the Blog and the Dog


The Boot on the way to the Monroe Jefferson Class of 1990 High School Reunion

Click Click Boom...I mean Boot

Seven weeks on crutches is kind of a long time. I still have a ways to go, but today (7/14/10) marks another milestone in the recovery process. I am going in for another turn of the dial, another crank on the wheel, a click click BOOM!

In the past three weeks since my first boot adjustment I have noticed SOME range of motion (ROM) returning.

Immediately after surgery I could wiggle my toes and that was the complete ROM for my foot/ankle/achilles.

One month post op I had the boot adjusted from a very pointed down position (plantarflexion- if I am not mistaken) to a slightly less pointed position, but still not flat enough to walk on. There has been some achy-ness in this process, but nothing requiring pain medicine.

This is what it looks like today while trying to stand with my feet together. When standing completely straight I am not able to get my left heal to the ground... YET.



However, when I do put a little weight on it I only put weight in the heal which means I am standing all cockamamie which in turn makes me wonder how my knees, hips and back will be feeling as the process continues?!?! OH WELL, WHO CARES, because at least THE PROCESS CONTINUES!!!! YAY!

(Yay, for now, I may not be so chipper after the click, click, boot)!

***On a good note, while comparing my incision to others posted on the internet machine, I will say that my surgeons are meticulous with the needle! A great sew job THANKS and THANK GOODNESS!!***

In case you're following the boot...Here it is on the 4th of July with pal Leigh Leigh. We crutched and wheeled to down town Lake Orion and rolled back home for sparklers and and Costco Fireworks in the driveway... :) GO BOOT!