Now I really did it :((

[missy]

Missy, so glad to hear this PT news! How exciting to finally be able to get up and move a bit! Sounds like you did a lot today and I'm happy for this beginning - finally!

You're going to be up and about before you know it and I'm glad that you were able to buy the bike. With permission, it's nice to be able to work at your own pace. I'm just excited for you!!

Thank you MissGotRocks! I am glad the past 11 plus weeks are behind me and now I've got some real work to do. I am taking it slowly to avoid setbacks if possible and remaining positive. And as you said working at my own pace. I know this is not a race but a marathon and that's how I am managing it. Though it does feel like it is going very slowly at least I am making progress.

 

[missy]

Hi Missy,

Walking? Woo hoo! Look at you now! I am so thrilled for you! The ice pack sounds like it will be a big help for you to help with swelling and pain. How exciting that you ordered a PT approved bike that didn’t hurt and I agree – order the pink cane too. I am sure you are going to be sore from all the new activity but its just part of your road to recovery.

Rats that the earrings you want now are more than you want to pay. That’s usually my luck too. Have you ever tried to sell jewelry on Loupe Troop? I’ve thought of putting some things on there. I have been thinking of looking for some diamond dangle earrings but I’ve spent way too much money the last 6 months on jewelry and house stuff.

I haven’t caught those programs on million dollar-listing homes. I am sure they are awesome. A beachfront house in Malibu would officially not suck. I will have to watch one of those shows when I catch it in the guide.

Wyoming does have some pretty places and a lot of boring prairie land. Plus it has a lot of open spaces. I like that part.

I am glad Verizon did come fix your home right away for you. I think if I ever have problems again I am going to ask to talk to a supervisor. We’ve been customers with Verizon for about 20 years and that supervisor will get an earful from me.

Marty did make it home safely and should be home for at least a few weeks.

I don’t have pets but I do have lots of Teddy Bears and Killer Rabbits around here. I have lots of allergies including dogs and cats so the stuffed animals work better for me. The bears and rabbits are kind of our silly thing. I bought one of the bears that Kay’s has each year for St. Jude’s Children’s hospital. (Actually I buy them every year and donate them to the kids). The one I bought had colors that matched our living room so I thought how fun to have a Christmas teddy. Marty makes the mistakes of telling me he hates cute teddy bears like the Snuggles bear on the commercials. Marty is over 6 feet tall and had his feet off the couch right by my knees so I bend the bear over to sniff his feet and then pretended like the bear was coughing from the smell. So then it was on and Marty was always picking on the bear like hiding him, shoving him down the cushions in the couch, etc. When he started his current job he was in the UK and I posted pictures on Facebook of the bear playing with his PlayStation, drinking out of his espresso cups, wearing his slippers, etc. Marty got home then right around Christmas and I’d bought him a hand sized killer rabbit (from Monty Python’s Holy Grail fame) that was on the top of his Christmas stocking. The little rabbit is built around a metal clip so it actually can bite. Right then my bear became the rabbits prey. Now I have 9 bears and Marty has 8 rabbits and we have a lot of entertainment with them. I’ll come home from work and find the rabbits terrorizing my bears, etc. We are easily entertained. And weird.

Take care. Have fun walking.
Marcy

Hi Marcy, thank you!

The ice pack is very nice because my leg and foot are red and hot most of the day and still quite swollen. I cannot see the veins in my left foot at all whereas my right foot is quite veiny. I am told it takes many many months for the swelling to dissipate and I am so looking forward to the day that I am able to see those darn veins.

Thanks for the reminder about the possibility of selling jewelry on Loupe Troop. It's a possibility. I don't know why I am so hesitant to part with things haha.

They changed some of the realtors on Million Dollar Listing LA and I miss Madison. I don't like the 2 new realtors they added and never really cared for the other 2 guys. I still like the show though because the homes are so worth catching if you have the time. I agree, a beachfront house in Malibu would definitely not suck.

Definitely speak with a supervisor at Verizon. They should be able to fix the situation. And if you have any trouble let me know. I have a way of persuading people when they are being unreasonable...

Hahaha, I love what you and Marty do with the rabbits and the bears. I especially love what you posted on Facebook while he was away. Hysterical. Sounds exactly like what Greg and I would do if we collected stuffed animals. We used to buy ugly dolls and they also ended up in quite interesting situations. We too are easily entertained but mainly these days it's our kitties who talk back to us (sounding so much like us it's uncanny) that entertain us that way. Francesca is especially sharp witted and has quite a lot to say.

So glad Marty is home safe and sound and that he will be there for a nice long while. Enjoy!

 

[Andelain]

Walking!

 

[marcy]

Hi Missy,

I am sure you’ll be getting reacquainted with your veins again in a few months. Ice packs really help out with being hot. I am generally cold but I do recall using the little gel ice packs on my feet sometimes before we had air conditioner in our old house.

Did you use your walker much today? My parents had tennis balls on the feet of their walker to help them slide along; do you have something like that?

Did you get pretty sore from doing so much and doing new things yesterday?

I completely understand it is hard to part with jewelry but I have my favorite pieces and the rest of my jewelry just sets there. When I used to teach at the local community college they had a campus swap email that went out every week and I was able to sell jewelry there really quickly. I still have a friend that works there so I should email her my current liquidation inventory.

Marty watches all those DIY and realtor shows so for all I know I’ve watched that show before but I didn’t pay attention to what it was. I am sure the houses they feature are amazing.

I’ll keep you in mind if Verizon continues to give me a hassle. I may be visiting them soon to see an iPhone 6. I’d have to get gold you know.

Too funny about the dolls that you and Greg used to have. Marty’s man cave is even named the Killer Rabbit Casino and he had poker chips make up with that name, has a killer rabbit on the face and little teddy bears for the suits around the edge. I took one of my bears to work and I try to get people to talk to my bear when they come in our office. I am sure some of them think I am absolutely crazy!

That is great your kittens keep you guys entertained and that Francesca especially expresses her opinion. She’s in charge you know.

I made shepherds pie for supper tonight from leftover crock-pot roast. It turned out good except the biscuits on top didn’t get done all the way to the middle. We ate around the edge then I baked the rest of it about 20 minutes more. Marty will have leftovers for lunch now.

Have a great day tomorrow.
Marcy

 

[missy]

Walking!

Thanks Andelain! I guess technically I'm walking but it is humbling because I am leaning so much of my body weight on the walker as I attempt walking. I thought I had a few more years (i.e. decades) before I was walking like this lol. But grateful for the progress. Walking with the walker beats hopping with it for sure!

 

[missy]

Hi Missy,

I am sure you’ll be getting reacquainted with your veins again in a few months. Ice packs really help out with being hot. I am generally cold but I do recall using the little gel ice packs on my feet sometimes before we had air conditioner in our old house.

Did you use your walker much today? My parents had tennis balls on the feet of their walker to help them slide along; do you have something like that?

Did you get pretty sore from doing so much and doing new things yesterday?

I completely understand it is hard to part with jewelry but I have my favorite pieces and the rest of my jewelry just sets there. When I used to teach at the local community college they had a campus swap email that went out every week and I was able to sell jewelry there really quickly. I still have a friend that works there so I should email her my current liquidation inventory.

Marty watches all those DIY and realtor shows so for all I know I’ve watched that show before but I didn’t pay attention to what it was. I am sure the houses they feature are amazing.

I’ll keep you in mind if Verizon continues to give me a hassle. I may be visiting them soon to see an iPhone 6. I’d have to get gold you know.

Too funny about the dolls that you and Greg used to have. Marty’s man cave is even named the Killer Rabbit Casino and he had poker chips make up with that name, has a killer rabbit on the face and little teddy bears for the suits around the edge. I took one of my bears to work and I try to get people to talk to my bear when they come in our office. I am sure some of them think I am absolutely crazy!

That is great your kittens keep you guys entertained and that Francesca especially expresses her opinion. She’s in charge you know.

I made shepherds pie for supper tonight from leftover crock-pot roast. It turned out good except the biscuits on top didn’t get done all the way to the middle. We ate around the edge then I baked the rest of it about 20 minutes more. Marty will have leftovers for lunch now.

Have a great day tomorrow.
Marcy

Hi Marcy, I walked a few times in the apartment today as no one was around to go outside with me but that's OK. There's a lot of room to walk here so it works out. My ankle and foot are pretty swollen and while I know I was warned they are also much stiffer (due to the swelling I guess?) and much harder to do ROM now because of that. I just don't know what is a normal response/reaction and what is something I need to be concerned about. I did not overdo as I rested and iced throughout the day. While the ice makes my foot ankle feel a bit better it doesn't make it any less stiff. My ankle feels pretty sore even from just the little activity (and lots of icing and rest) I did yesterday.

My walker has wheels on their 2 front feet. Not tennis balls. Interesting. I had wanted to spray paint my walker all crazy colors but never got around to it and now I decided quiet/incognito is better. As I wrote before I don't want to draw any more attention to myself struggling to get around. As it is people are very interested in my predicament when I am out and about with Greg. No fun being the center of attention in public for this reason (or any reason IMO).

It is quite difficult to get my foot into the sneaker to do the calf stretches even though the sneaker I am using is a full size bigger than my normal shoe size. So I am of course worrying about when I can finally get into shoes am I going to have a problem fitting into them. I love the Dansko clogs I bought as they are a similar height to the boot height and walking with the boot on the injured leg and the Dansko on the good foot is much more balanced than if I just wore sneakers on the good foot. And they are so far comfortable.

You can count on me to talk to your bears Marcy haha. I find nothing strange about that at all as you can probably figure out from reading all my posts these months. We share a similar strange sense of humor I guess and fortunately so do our men. I love that Marty named his man cave and that name is awesome lol. Greg hasn't named his man cave though I call it the "garage" but perhaps a better name is required. Hmmm, I will have to think of one.

We do leftovers for lunch often. It saves so much time and energy and they are just as if not more delicious the next day IMO. And it is a good way not to waste food so a win win.

Would you believe the canes came already? One day after I ordered them. Amazon Prime is amazing. It was supposed to be 2 day delivery but it came in one. That's customer service! I will be bringing them both today for Victor to say yea or nay. He told me to get the curved handle cane but I didn't care for the curved handle canes comfort wise so hopefully he will say one of the canes I bought are acceptable. Of course this is me jumping the gun again as I am nowhere near ready for walking with a cane. As I wrote it is so humbling getting around with a walker but I am grateful I am no longer hopping (for the most part).

I am off to PT in another hour and a half and I am slightly nervous because I am not sure I made any progress. I still cannot bend my stupid ankle the way I need to so I can eventually walk correctly. When I attempt the calf stretches with my foot on step of ladder and attempting to bend my ankle down it is a dismal failure. Frustrating because it really hurts when I try and I am afraid of twisting it and causing more damage. But I am thinking positive thoughts and trying to be patient.

Thank you for your good thoughts and positive energy and enjoy the day.

 

[Andelain]

Walking!

Thanks Andelain! I guess technically I'm walking but it is humbling because I am leaning so much of my body weight on the walker as I attempt walking. I thought I had a few more years (i.e. decades) before I was walking like this lol. But grateful for the progress. Walking with the walker beats hopping with it for sure!

I've been there, and I get it. But soon you'll be able to put more and more weight, and then you won't need the damn thing anymore. The real question is, how do you plan to dispose of the walker when that time comes.....

 

[Calliecake]

Hi Missy, I'm waiting to hear how your therapy session went today and what Victor has to say about the progress you are making. I think everything you are going thru is normal. You are doing the exercises with and without Victor. My dad has been through the whole therapy thing a few times with his knees. I remember him telling me the real problems come into play when the patient flat out refuses to do the exercises and he witnessed that happening on a few occasions. He flat out told a woman that was in rehab with him, that he saw it basically two ways. She could sit there and complain for the next year and do nothing or she could do what the therapist told her to do and get on with her life. For some reason she listened to my dad. The therapist told my dad the worst is when patients don't put the effort needed to make progress. You are nothing like that Missy. You are a fighter. I'm sure you are doing very well in your progress. It just takes time. You will get there sweetie. Hugs.

 

[missy]

Walking!

Thanks Andelain! I guess technically I'm walking but it is humbling because I am leaning so much of my body weight on the walker as I attempt walking. I thought I had a few more years (i.e. decades) before I was walking like this lol. But grateful for the progress. Walking with the walker beats hopping with it for sure!

I've been there, and I get it. But soon you'll be able to put more and more weight, and then you won't need the damn thing anymore. The real question is, how do you plan to dispose of the walker when that time comes.....

Haha, I am never getting rid of the walker Andelain...Murphy's Law and all. Maybe if I keep it I will never need it again yanno? But I am very happy to lend it to whomever needs it once I do not.

 

[missy]

Hi Missy, I'm waiting to hear how your therapy session went today and what Victor has to say about the progress you are making. I think everything you are going thru is normal. You are doing the exercises with and without Victor. My dad has been through the whole therapy thing a few times with his knees. I remember him telling me the real problems come into play when the patient flat out refuses to do the exercises and he witnessed that happening on a few occasions. He flat out told a woman that was in rehab with him, that he saw it basically two ways. She could sit there and complain for the next year and do nothing or she could do what the therapist told her to do and get on with her life. For some reason she listened to my dad. The therapist told my dad the worst is when patients don't put the effort needed to make progress. You are nothing like that Missy. You are a fighter. I'm sure you are doing very well in your progress. It just takes time. You will get there sweetie. Hugs.

Thank you Callie. I had a good session today. Bike for 10 minutes, Pilates Reformer for a few sets of leg and ankle motions, more stretching exercises on an incline and then balancing (I suck at balancing) and then some passive ROM's that Victor worked on with me. I did the Reformer Monday but forgot to write about it. It's a cool piece of equipment and I would love to get that but it's too pricey and too big and for our apartment unfortunately.

I just finished doing the home exercises I can do and am now icing and reading PS for a bit. It is very slow going. My ankle just doesn't want to move and it hurts when I try. My fear is doing some (more than I have) soft tissue damage and twisting my ankle rendering me immobile again and I am going slow and hoping my ankle can take what I am doing to it.

Victor had a trip and some other things come for next week so I had to rearrange my schedule with him 2 days next week. Monday is the real problem day because he isn't coming in until noon and I couldn't get anything earlier than 1:40pm. Right in the middle of the day. So Greg just scheduled it and will juggle work around it. I could tell Greg was stressed and so could Victor because Victor opened up an earlier appointment in his Thursday schedule next week (the day I had to change from Friday to Thursday because of his trip) and put me in at 7:40 AM instead of the 9:40 AM slot the receptionist gave us. So how nice is Victor to come in earlier so Greg could get the work day going after PT vs the later morning appointment.

So now the only issue is Monday because if a conference call or something comes at that time it will be stressful. I only wish I could get there by myself but Victor said I cannot and don't even think about trying to. My friends work Mondays and I cannot think of anyone who can take me. There is a Care Committee in our building though (they take older people who need assistance to their doctor appointments and run errands for them etc) and I might be able to get someone from there to take me but it is really for the elderly population in our building and I would feel very strange asking for their help. Sigh. I don't want to miss any therapy so maybe I will see about the Care Committee but really not crazy about that idea.

I hope your dad is doing well Callie and good for him for encouraging that woman to take control and put effort in so she could get her life back. I don't get people not even trying. Who wants to be immobile if they have any other choice? I can tell you are like your dad in that way. You care very much about others and their well being and it shows. Thank you for the hugs and right back at ya.

 

[Calliecake]

Hi Missy, I would think the Care Committee would be fine with you asking for help. Unfortunately an accident or a needed surgery can happen to any of us at any time. I'm sure they'd be happy to help you. Would you feel comfortable having anyone other then Greg help you at this point? I think that's probably the bigger question. Greg knows exactly what to do. I'm not sure if I'd trust someone else.

It doesn't surprise me at all that Victor would rearrange his schedule to be more accommodating to your schedule. You are such a nice person and I'm sure he'd like to make things as easy as possible for you. I would bet you are one of Victor's favorite patients. My dad used to tell me the funniest stories when he had to stay at the rehab facility. He said he felt so bad for the therapist because it was always the people who refused to do the exercises that would give them the hardest time and complain because they weren't getting better. He was bound and determined to get out of there as quockly as possible so he could get back on his air boat. He used to tell his therapist that he may be old, but he wasn't dead and there was no way he wasn't going back to his old life. I can't picture you not having the same drive.

I can imagine how difficult it is trying to work around Greg's schedule. My husband is on conference calls most of the day lately and because they are with different countries they usually start at 6:30 AM. Many times his last one will be at 8 or 9:00 PM. I hate when he takes the morning ones from home. The dogs knows he's home so she wants him to play. It's so much fun trying to get a squeaky toy away from her while he's on the phone.

Has your pain been bad or is it more like it aches? It sounds like ice has really been your friend this week. Is it helping with the swelling?

 

[missy]

Hi Callie, thanks for the reassurance. I am motivated but the pain does hold me back. I am learning to listen to my body because in the past I worked through the pain but that was different. Now I need to listen and pause and readjust and not push too hard. Which is counter to my very nature. I am not an athlete though Greg keeps saying I am (I'm not believe me-I am the definition of the word Klutz) but I always pushed myself and just when I thought I couldn't go any further I did. That's why all of this is so challenging for me (besides being out of commission for so long) because I have to do everything differently.

And you are right. I don't 100% trust anyone else to take me there. Not that it is rocket science or anything but the streets in our neighborhood are limestone and broken up and difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. And there are not very many curb cuts and the curb cuts that do exist are broken up too. So much of the trip (about 3/4 mile) Greg is maneuvering the wheelchair in innovative ways to get us past the choppy sidewalks and curbs. Fortunately he is strong.

I am not sure if the Care Committee has anyone capable of taking the trip with me in the wheelchair. And then if you remember it's a whole routine once we get there because the PT building is not wheelchair accessible so the doormen from building next door get out the movable ramp when they see me coming and we go through their building to get to the PT building. The movable ramp is a bit tricky in its own right and in the beginning we had a couple of near misses. The chair really needs to be lifted to get onto the ramp. It's not as easy as 1, 2, 3. But why should anything be easy lol...it sure hasn't been up to this point. Keeps things interesting.

The ice helps some of the discomfort and heat feeling but I don't see it making much difference regarding the swelling. Though it does leave an impression (that's how much swelling I have on my foot) on my foot when I remove it. It's really quite amazing (in an unpleasant way that is) to look at. But again I am so much better than I was I am not complaining at all. Just incredibly grateful to be at this point already and hoping things go as smoothly as they can from hereon in.

The recumbent bicycle has arrived and my darling sweet husband is putting it together as I write this. I have my fingers and toes crossed that it is in working condition because a number of reviews indicated it arrived in non working condition but I went ahead and ordered it anyway as those people were in the minority. But of course the thought did cross my mind with the way the earrings broke the minute I took them out of the box. Hoping lightning doesn't strike twice (or 3 times if you count my leg)!!!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Walking!

Thanks Andelain! I guess technically I'm walking but it is humbling because I am leaning so much of my body weight on the walker as I attempt walking. I thought I had a few more years (i.e. decades) before I was walking like this lol. But grateful for the progress. Walking with the walker beats hopping with it for sure!

I've been there, and I get it. But soon you'll be able to put more and more weight, and then you won't need the damn thing anymore. The real question is, how do you plan to dispose of the walker when that time comes.....

Haha, I am never getting rid of the walker Andelain...Murphy's Law and all. Maybe if I keep it I will never need it again yanno? But I am very happy to lend it to whomever needs it once I do not.

LOL! I still have my brace from when I tore my ACL for exactly that reason! I finally got ride of my crutches but the brace... no way!

You are making SO MUCH GREAT PROGRESS! Be careful an don't overdo it, but I am thrilled to hear you are "up and about"!

 

[missy]

Thanks Dee!!! Great minds think alike...

So Greg put it together and it took him exactly an hour from opening the box to completion. And I just did a 10 minute cycle Woohoo. I cannot figure out the programs just yet but right now I am on the lowest resistance possible and it is challenging lol. I am listening to you guys though and going slow and easy (for now ).

I am attaching a pic of Greg trying it out for the first time. How sweet he is to put it together for me after a long day.

 

[isaku5]

What a great guy you've got there, Missy

 

[Calliecake]

Missy, YEA the bike has arrived! How sweet of Greg to put it together so quickly for you. The way you were describing his schedule I thought he wouldn't be able to put it together until the weekend. Fingers crossed you received a good one.

Greg is correct about you being an athlete. Trust me, you are athletic! Someone who is not athletic wouldn't be able to do the biking you do. Please don't over do anything. Victor is not going to steer you wrong so please listen to his instructions. Sometimes pain is a good thing. It will let you know when to slow down and give it a rest. I understand about you being nervous. At this stage of the game the last thing you want to do is cause further injury to your ankle.

After your description of everything you go thru to get to rehab, please don't let anyone but Greg take you. What a pain in the neck it sounds like. Poor Greg, I'm sure he worries about you getting bounced around but honestly, it sounds like that's inevitable. A mine field might be easier to navigate. Thank goodness you two have a great routine for getting there. You two make quite the team!

I just saw the picture of Greg. Be careful Missy. You have a hard time getting him off your bike!

 

[missy]

What a great guy you've got there, Missy

Hi isaku. Thank you. He is great and after all this is over I want to do something really special for him. It has been almost as difficult for him as for me these past few months and he has been my rock and has had almost no time for himself between work, household chores and taking care of me. His birthday is in October and I wish I could figure out what to do that would make him really happy. I know he wants to build a garage at our beach house and telling him it's OK to start the project in the spring might be the best thing I could do for him. Poor thing is so exhausted that he fell asleep on the couch next to me watching one of his favorite woodworking shows.

Missy, YEA the bike has arrived! How sweet of Greg to put it together so quickly for you. The way you were describing his schedule I thought he wouldn't be able to put it together until the weekend. Fingers crossed you received a good one.

Greg is correct about you being an athlete. Trust me, you are athletic! Someone who is not athletic wouldn't be able to do the biking you do. Please don't over do anything. Victor is not going to steer you wrong so please listen to his instructions. Sometimes pain is a good thing. It will let you know when to slow down and give it a rest. I understand about you being nervous. At this stage of the game the last thing you want to do is cause further injury to your ankle.

After your description of everything you go thru to get to rehab, please don't let anyone but Greg take you. What a pain in the neck it sounds like. Poor Greg, I'm sure he worries about you getting bounced around but honestly, it sounds like that's inevitable. A mine field might be easier to navigate. Thank goodness you two have a great routine for getting there. You two make quite the team!

I just saw the picture of Greg. Be careful Missy. You have a hard time getting him off your bike!

Haha Callie. No worries there. No way Greg is going to prefer the Schwinn workout to his TRX, treadmill and elliptical workout. Plus he has a bike on his trainer that he uses when training for our cycling season. But he is more than welcome to use it whenever he wants of course.

I know he cannot wait till I am ready to do the elliptical and he can move the cycle to our exercise room. Right now he is indulging me and letting it stay in the living room. If you knew him you would know that's a big deal. He hates having clutter and hates exercise equipment anywhere but our exercise room.

We'll see how his work schedule goes this week and if he thinks he can swing next Monday. I know if he can he will. Thanks Callie.

 

[junebug17]

Hey there missy! I know by your posts that you sometimes feel you have a long way to go and get a little overwhelmed (completely understandable btw!) but I can't help but feel REALLY excited for you and the progress you're making! Showering, walking, exercising…you're doing so well! And I agree with others that your motivation and willingness to put the time and effort into PT is going to make such a difference in your recovery. I think it also really helps that you were in good shape and physically active prior to the accident - you have a lot going for you! I'm thinking this extra activity might help you sleep a bit better too, and I bet it will help you just feel a little better physically in general. Hang in there!

It's too bad the earrings didn't work out, but if you weren't dying to get them back from the seller, to me that's a sign they weren't the ones for you - the level of anticipation I feel for a piece is how I judge how much I love it lol! Sorry the ones you really love are more expensive, isn't that always the way?

Love the pic of Greg on the bike! What a great guy!

Just wanted to stop by and say hello and let you know I'm thinking of you!

 

[missy]

Hey there missy! I know by your posts that you sometimes feel you have a long way to go and get a little overwhelmed (completely understandable btw!) but I can't help but feel REALLY excited for you and the progress you're making! Showering, walking, exercising…you're doing so well! And I agree with others that your motivation and willingness to put the time and effort into PT is going to make such a difference in your recovery. I think it also really helps that you were in good shape and physically active prior to the accident - you have a lot going for you! I'm thinking this extra activity might help you sleep a bit better too, and I bet it will help you just feel a little better physically in general. Hang in there!

It's too bad the earrings didn't work out, but if you weren't dying to get them back from the seller, to me that's a sign they weren't the ones for you - the level of anticipation I feel for a piece is how I judge how much I love it lol! Sorry the ones you really love are more expensive, isn't that always the way?

Love the pic of Greg on the bike! What a great guy!

Just wanted to stop by and say hello and let you know I'm thinking of you!

Thank you so much Junebug! It does feel great to be able to shower (with minimal assistance) and exercise on the recumbent bike if only a little bit. My leg is still so weak and rainwood was so right in warning me not to try walking without the boot. Thank you rainwood! I had a huge lapse in judgement there and thank goodness for all the PSers who are so wonderful and helpful!

I did two 15 minute sessions on the recumbent bike today and I did my PT exercises 4 times throughout the day and iced a lot. My swelling is worse but I was expecting that and my foot feels so hot. I just ordered a second ice pack wrap because with the frequency of icing it just doesn't get cold enough and instead of just buying icepack replacements I thought this would be easier. I put the whole wrap in the freezer for efficiency and ease of icing.

The ankle ROM is still very limited and it feels like something is tying my ankle from the inside for lack of a better term to describe the feeling. It is such a weird and uncomfortable feeling. It literally feels like something is binding up my ankle and severely limiting my ROM and causing a lot of discomfort. I don't know if it is the hardware I have inside my leg or the edema or soft tissue damage or the scar tissue or all of the above.

That's the update for today. Thanks again for checking in and thinking of me. I hope you are enjoying the last week of summer!

And I love your Joan Rivers quote.

 

[marcy]

Hi Missy,

Just walking around your apartment is pretty darn cool! I find when my legs and knees swell from being on them or walking a lot they get really stiff; probably from the swelling. I am sure the more you walk and work your leg and ankle the better it will get for you. In the meantime I am glad the ice packs helps.

I don’t remember for sure why my parent’s PT’s wanted them to have the walkers with feet and not wheels but my guess would be they had mostly carpet in their house. Those tennis balls sure worked slick for them on carpet. I understand not wanting someone to notice you right now when you are out but I am sure they are just showing you they care and wish you well.

You may find you need a slightly larger shoe initially. I bet getting a sneaker on would be difficult. I also have short “t-rex” arms which makes it a real challenge for me when I can’t bend my knees very well.

Yes we do definitely share a strange sense of humor but that’s good because we can always find something to laugh at, right? And our sweet husbands can join in on the fun. Right now one of my bears has 2 rabbits chewing on his ears – Marty says the bear is trying to get better reception. He sent me a picture one time of 2 of my bears wearing headphones; he said strange thing they are both hearing the music in stereo. Greg should definitely name his man cave. It is honestly nicer down there than upstairs. I told Marty he couldn’t have a better TV or surround sound than we have upstairs because I’d never see him again. He’s working on that too, his TV is 5” larger than the one upstairs.

I agree leftovers for lunch work great. Marty loves them and I like less cooking and dishes.

Wow that Amazon got your canes to you so quickly. They will come in handy. I think that is wonderful progress that you are no longer hopping. Woo hoo!

Sorry you can’t bend your ankle yet the way you want. It will come. Really! Victor sounds like a great guy working around you and Greg’s schedules. Rats that the one appointment is middle of the day. I bet the Care Committee would be delighted to help you! I do understand being concerned having someone besides Greg helping you though.

I think Victor will help guide you through when it’s time to push extra hard in spite of the pain but probably right now you are smart to still in the listen to your body and stop something that is really painful. It is just so hard to know though.

Love the picture of Greg on your new bike. How exciting you already have been using it plus doing your PT exercises. You are a good PT patient.

I have tomorrow off. We are going out to see about getting me a new iPhone. Verizon won’t take appointments and are opening early so I guess I’ll go down there at 8 and see what happens. Even if I can’t get one I can hopefully see one and make sure it’s what I want. I can just order one online then. Maybe I’ll have a chat with a supervisor while I’m there about those annoying emails when Marty travels.

I was really antsy at work today mostly because I was looking forward to a 3 day weekend.

Take care and have a great day.
Marcy

 

[rainwood]

Missy -

The swelling, the hot ankle and foot, and the tightness/binding all sound very familiar to me. It's part of the recovery process. Icing feels so good when the ankle gets hot and cranky, and it mostly prevents the swelling from getting worse. The size of your ankle is not going to go down a lot at this stage, but you don't want it to puff up even bigger and that's where icing does a lot of good.

I put the whole ice pack in the freezer too so I could grab and go. I was also told to get my bad ankle elevated above my heart for 20 minutes to reduce the swelling. We have an L-shaped sectional and I would pile up pillows 3 or 4 in the corner of the L then put the ice pack on and elevate, then take the ice pack off halfway through although sometimes the cold felt so good or I was too lazy and I just left it on for the whole 20, And I iced so often, I actually wore out one of the straps on my boot taking it off so much. I still ice sometimes when I've been on my feet a lot or done a lot of walking.

And I'm glad you stopped that crazy business of going without the boot so soon. That is just asking for trouble at this point. It's a hassle to put the boot back on sometimes, but you have to. And the recumbent bike is such a great idea. Your hubby is a real keeper!

 

[missy]

Marcy, I hope it goes well today you get the new iPhone. I have never owned an iPhone and think I am in the minority. Everyone loves them but so far I am loyal to my Samsung phones. I love the new screen that the latest iPhones have. Are you getting the 6 or 6+? And good luck with the supervisor. Hope you get a satisfactory resolution to this issue.

Hahaha, love that pic. My sister has a real bunny who is disabled. He is blind and has a few other health issues where is head is tilted (I forget the name of the condition). My nieces love him but I don't think he is the friendliest. I prefer your bunnies.
I love the setup with your computers. Greg has something similar in his home office with 3 computers set up around him as he works. Very efficient.


I have long arms but also long legs so maybe that makes us even with lacing things up? I really hope that my foot goes back to normal size because I have so many shoes and I don't know if they would stretch enough. And I don't think it is practical to buy my shoes in 2 different sizes. Not to mention cost prohibitive so fingers crossed once I am healed my foot goes back to its regular size. Greg says not to worry because we can stretch whatever is necessary but I am not sure we can stretch most of my shoes. But I will cross that bridge when I get there. Too much looking ahead again. And that is not what is important anyway. Just getting back as much function as possible is my main goal.

Enjoy your 3 day weekend Marcy and have fun with your new iPhone!

 

[missy]

Hi rainwood. I haven't been elevating my leg above my heart. Though I have been elevating on a wedge pillow and a regular pillow on top of that but nowhere above my heart and now I remember that is the only real way to reduce swelling. So I am going to start elevating my leg above my heart when I am icing. My therapist did not tell me to do that (and neither did the surgeon interestingly enough) and that is a great recommendation. Thank you because that sounds like it will help immensely. In the old days I would have realized that myself but these days my thinking is not as clear headed. Obviously walking without the boot OMG don't know what I was thinking!
You probably saved me from injuring myself again by warning me not to walk without the boot and I cannot thank you enough for that.

I get better info from you guys than the professionals but nothing beats talking to someone who has been through something similar IMO. For example a patient's mom recommended the Dansko clogs for just this time when I start walking with the boot and it has proven to be a valuable recommendation. I bought the Danskos just on her say so (and I don't know her at all-just met her once in the surgeon's waiting room) and I am happy I did. I am on level ground with both feet. One in the Dansko clog and one in the boot. Otherwise I would be tilted and less stable and we know my stability is an issue in the best case haha. I did not do well with the balancing thing in PT on Wed so we will see how this morning goes.

Do you remember what shoe you wore on the good foot when you started walking in the boot? And even more importantly do you have any recommendations for supportive shoes after I can start walking without the boot? I was looking at Merrells online as well as Finn Comfort but not sure what shoe is best. There are so many choices and I did google supportive shoes after leg/foot surgery but didn't get any satisfactory results. Before I spend a ton of money I wanted to know what you found helpful once you started walking for real.

I like the recumbent bike so far. It is definitely improving my spirits just to be able to do something more aerobic. Today marks 12 weeks exactly from the accident and I have had zero cardio exercise so happy to be able to do the stationary bicycle. My calves are killing me just from that little activity on the bike so far. That is just how atrophied both calf muscles are. I have a lot of work to do but not worried about that. Just want to regain my ankle/leg movements and be able to walk normally eventually. You and azstonie and a few other PSers are my inspiration. You guys made it through and made it through amazingly well!

Have a great weekend. Last weekend of the summer. It went so (mercifully for me) fast. Enjoy!

 

[marcy]

Hi Missy!

I went to Verizon a little after 8. The line of people was all the way around the building. I chuckled and came home. Then I noticed Best Buy was open at 8. We only have a little mobile Best Buy in our mall but I went there and I was next in line, they had exactly what I wanted and gave me $225 credit for my iPhone 5 so I came home with a pretty new gold iPhone 6. I like it so far.

I bet your nieces did love having a bunny. Bunnies can be grumpy and aggressive. Our old house had lots of rabbits around and they’d fight each other in our back yard. We had a deck out there they liked to stay under and they’d get in fights with each other over their territory. It was my source of entertainment while I was doing dishes. Marty’s rabbits try to bite me or bite the teddy bears but their felt teeth don’t leave much of a mark. What’s funny is the QA on those rabbits isn’t very good. We have 8 of them and we can tell them apart.

Marty did set up a nice office for himself. He spends enough time in there he should have a nice place to work.

I think your goal to get back and much function as you can is a very good one to work for. You continue to make progress, I can see it all the way from Wyoming!

I’ve had really good luck with Merrill shoes; they are very supportive. I wonder if your PT has any suggestions for you.

I love to hear the recumbent bike is lifting your spirits. That is awesome.

Do you and Greg have any special plans this weekend?

Take care and enjoy walking.

Marcy

 

[missy]

Hi Marcy, I'm glad you were able to get the iPhone 6. Good for you for thinking outside the box and not having to wait in that long line. Here I heard the line at the Apple store was 10 blocks (!) long. That's just crazy.
What made you choose the 6 over the 6+? It's great you were able to do a trade in. I love when we can save money on our purchases. That means more $ for bling.


Thanks for the vote for the Merrell shoes. I actually ordered a pair a few days ago and it is due to arrive Tuesday I think but I just got a mesh pair for wearing around the house. I did ask my therapist for a recommendation but besides recommending I get a good pair of sneakers he had no clue. I was surprised because I would have thought he would have some good suggestions regarding supportive shoes but nada.


I walked a block and back with the walker outside today and of course ran into people I knew. LOL. I cannot even go a block. But that's OK because they were very positive and encouraging and I didn't mind. There are still neighbors who didn't know I broke my leg.

We spent the rest of the day wheeling around the neighborhood and the weather was beautiful. I visited the rescue kitties-so hard to resist them and just enjoyed the sunshine and cool breeze. We will probably do the same tomorrow. I don't love traveling in the car unless I have to in this condition and prefer to stay local until my condition is more improved.

How is your 3 day weekend going so far? Any special plans with Marty to enjoy your time together? I hope you are having fun and enjoying your time off.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Missy, it must have felt SO good to walk with your walker outside today! Small steps but you're still moving toward recovery. So many days you could barely get to the potty and now you're outside on the sidewalk!

I'm glad you have the bike that you can use when you want to - it's good to be able to be physical and work off some frustration - ha! It must feel so good to be able to move more and more. I know it's not ideal and it hurts and for that I'm sorry. I'm just happy and proud of you for soldiering on!

 

[missy]

Missy, it must have felt SO good to walk with your walker outside today! Small steps but you're still moving toward recovery. So many days you could barely get to the potty and now you're outside on the sidewalk!

I'm glad you have the bike that you can use when you want to - it's good to be able to be physical and work off some frustration - ha! It must feel so good to be able to move more and more. I know it's not ideal and it hurts and for that I'm sorry. I'm just happy and proud of you for soldiering on!

Thank you MissGotRocks! It did feel good to walk outside even for that short while yesterday and you are right. It is quite the difference compared to 2 months ago and even last month when I was struggling to get to even the bathroom.

My ankle hurts when I am walking even with the support of the boot and I hope that is normal. Every pain and swelling increase I experience I worry if it is normal and if I will eventually be OK. Even after sleeping with my leg elevated I wake up and my ankle and toes hurt. After doing nothing all night I wonder why that is and I think is it normal and will it get better.

I see the doctor first week in October so am keeping my fingers crossed that I am progressing as I should and that eventually the pain and discomfort and swelling will diminish to the point that it is a non issue for me and my ability to function. But then I think back to how it was 2 months ago and I appreciate how far I have come and am hopeful I will continue to progress to where I can enjoy the activities and life I did before the accident.

But don't worry about me. I am stubborn and I am not going to let this little blip on my radar get me down! Thank you for your encouragement!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I think that it takes quite a while to strengthen the muscles surrounding your ankle. They have been immobile now for quite awhile. What you describe almost reminds me of people with a frozen shoulder after rotator cuff surgery. All of those muscles and tendons have to be stretched and reconditioned to support the joint. People have said the shoulder just won't move and I think it must be a frightening feeling and the fear that it will not get better is a normal one. The good news is that you've started some serious PT now and all those processes begin! Obviously, you have swelling after moving and that must feel like a step backward too. I'm not a doctor but it all sounds pretty normal to me and just what you would expect.

I know you are strong and will persist in your journey! Take care of yourself and know that we are all thinking of you!

 

[missy]

Thank you MissGotRocks!

 

[Calliecake]

Hi Missy, How exciting you were actually able to go for a wok yesterday. I'm sure it wasn't the most comfortable walk you have had but your getting there! Are there places you can walk to in your neighborhood? I'm sure you and Greg had a great day.