The Next Step

So I saw Dr. Cutie Pie (Ellison) today and after looking at my xray told me I could begin to walk on my foot. He wants me to spend a couple of weeks in the boot and then I can go to shoes.

I've been walking on it and finding it difficult. I have some pain on my outer ankle and rear heel. I'm hoping this will be helped with physical therapy. I also hope to begin water aerobics soon.

Dr. Ellison told me I could drive in town, but that on the highway my reaction time might not be quick enough. We have only manual vehicles.

As you can imagine, Bob and I are quite relieved. This gives me more independence and I'm praying I can keep moving forward.

I try to meditate every day and find this really helps with my attitude.

OMG He's so Cute

So I ended up at Capital Orthopedics in La Plata, Maryland. Filled out all the long forms and waited. A cute girl, around 12 came in with her crutches all covered in colored tape. I told her I was going home to do the same. I just put scarves on mine though.

The doctor came in and took a look. He explained what had happened and said if it had happened that day he would have done surgery, but since it had been a month the bones were healing and he would recommend a boot and come back in a month.

We had lots of questions and I'm glad Bob was with me because I couldn't stop looking at those beautiful eyes and lashes as well as his curly hair. I had to keep reminding myself to pay attention. I'm sure he isn't much older then my children, but I just couldn't help myself.

When I asked if he thought I could go on my Spain trip he said he didn't see why not, but that I would tire easily. Bob chimed right in and said that's ok, we'll just set her down with a bottle of wine and come back for her later. HA!

He did say I'd probably end up with a wider heel. I am just hoping that doesn't mean two shoe sizes. We'll see. He also said this would be a long recovery with swelling lasting about 7-8 months and maybe up to a year to fully recover and even then I may have a limp. I am just soo anxious to get rid of my crutches.

The following week I received my knee walker and it has truly been a life saver. I can do much more as it locks in place and I can turn to the counter, sink, etc. I am not comfortable with it at the stove, but boy am I able to do much more.

So, tomorrow on Day 60 I will be returning to see Dr. Cutie Pie and hopefully the next time I write here I'll be walking on both feet.

Well here it is April 26th day 58.

Lots of catching up to do on this blog.

The day after my CT scan I was seen by an orthopedic assistant at Fr Belvoir. She is one of the most conscientious and comforting people in the medical field I've ever met. I wish I could remember her name, because she deserves to be recognized, but that info is upstairs and in order for me to get there I have to crawl up the stairs, hoist myself up on my crutches and try to find where that green folder has landed.

Anyway, when we went in and I was petrified, visions of surgery stuck in my head. We sat down as I watched corpsmen cast two young people.

She asked for my history and I told her the whole sorry story. Bob and I then saw the xray and CT scan. I had to catch my breath as I saw my heel in multiple pieces, I stopped counting at seven. I could not believe I was feeling no pain. This kind woman said she too would have reacted the same way. She took time to point things out and I was thankful Bob was with me. All of this was too much!

I was told I would need to see a specialist as the break was very bad. Unfortunately, all of their foot specialist are deployed, as you can imagine. Thank God they are taking care of our troops. I would need to see a civilian. We talked for a very long time and she answered all our questions as best she could.

She asked if I had anymore questions and I did. As I teared up I asked if she thought I'd be able to go on our trip to Spain the end of May. She said the doctor would have to make that decision, but made me feel much better as she talked about special exceptions for flying etc. She then said, "you know what we are going to order you a knee scooter." It will just make your life easier. "I'm putting in a 72 hr order".

She gave me some numbers to call and told me people would be calling me to set up appointments and then gave me her personal phone number so I could call her with an update after I saw the doctor. She pointed out that I was only the second patient she had ever given her phone number to and that I would have to destroy it after calling her. ;)

We headed home and on the way received a phone call that a specialist in La Plata could see us that day. And so........

The Value of Friends and Family

So to this day I continue to pray. I fell again today. Slipped on a wet spot in the bathroom. Didn't hurt myself, but thank God for the air cast. I hate my crutches, but the knee scooter doesn't fit in the bathroom.

Anyway, today I'd like to talk to you about the wonderful people in my life.

First and for-most I must tell you about Doctor Bob. He's earned his stethoscope multiple times now and I've told him our lives are different now and he's picked up where I left off. What a wonderful man I married. In sickness and in health.

Secondly, I can't say enough about my dear friends who clean my house, cook and cook and cook, spend time talking to me, take me to lunch, craft with me, sit and have game days and always make me laugh. Especially Dr Frankenstein and Nurse Ratchet who actually came with a saw on one visit.

I must give a special shout out to a special friend. Joanne Verdin. She took me to the doctor that first day. She continues to pick me up three times a week to go to exercise, (you see we have only manual vehicles). She also has taken me to the grocery store where I am quite good with the seated shopping cart. Good thing it beeps when I back up. What would I do without her?

My family has been keeping me amused with phone calls cards and gifts. All wishing they were closer to help out.

But most of all I thank you all for your prayers. I truly feel they are helping me get through this and heal. God Bless You All!

Now I wait for Stephanie and the girls to arrive for their visit. They, I am sure will help me heal. They should be here within the hour, so all for today and maybe awhile.

Next up--The ortho visit.

The CT Scan

Ok so I can't count, or maybe I'm just ready for this to be over. It's day 45. Sorry about that.

So, two days later I have a Cat Scan scheduled for Sunday at 9 a.m. The scan is painless and we decide to have breakfast with a friend while we're in the area.

As I get into the car to leave I get a phone call from radiology. The woman on the other end identifies herself and then says to me "are you in pain?" I tell her no and she tells me I have multiple fractures to my ankle. She again asks me about pain. She says I have an appointment the following day in orthopedics. One last time she says she's contacted emergency and they know about me should I arrive for pain meds.

Now I'm upset. I'm thinking multiple means surgery. Bob settles me down as he always does and we go home.

At this point I am done. I just want my life to be normal again. I realize this isn't going to happen, so I pray.

Back to the Doc I Go

So after the first day I unwrapped my foot and noticed a quarter size blister on the inside of my ankle. Now this really scared me for I did not know why I would have a blister, since I did not scrape my foot in anyway. I decided I needed to see my primary care physician and let her take a look at things and tell me what was going on.

Bob drove me to Ft Meyer Radar Clinic and my doctor took a look. I explained what had happened and she seemed to agree with the clinics initial findings of a sprain. She had no idea what the blister was from. I went home with gauze and paper tape--I'm allergic to latex--to put on the blister. I was bound and determined that I was not going to get an infection from this blister on top of everything else. Especially since Mom had spent a year dealing with MRSA.

At week two the blister started to itch. Good sign of healing. Week three I crawled up the stairs to soak in the tub. By this time I was putting pressure on my toes and trying to write the alphabet--Caps only--with my foot. I had looked up some physical therapy ideas on the internet. I figured a soak in the tub was good. The blister had turned a dark color and the skin was wrinkly--healing. In the tub this all fell off and everything looked good. I was happy to be rid of one of my worries.

When week four was about to begin I thought I should be progressing a bit further. There still was swelling and I couldn't put my full weight on my foot. It felt like someone tied a tight strap around my foot at the ankle and was pulling it tighter when I put pressure on my foot. Very uncomfortable, but no pain. I hadn't really had pain since the first week. I was also very numb in the heal area and when I touched the top of my foot it felt like I hit my funny bone.

Back to the doc I go. She agreed the swelling should not be there. She asked me to walk to her and I couldn't. Same tightness around the ankle area. She had another xray done and she and the radiologist saw a tiny line. She scheduled a Cat Scan. This was on a Thursday.

Today is day 58 of my fall on February 28th. I filled a watering can with water and was thrilled at the idea of watering my outdoor plants once again. I headed for my back door, opened the door stepped down and with the watering can in my right hand turned to close the door with my left hand when down I went. I heard/felt things tearing/breaking.

I had just walked Tad and tied him up outside. He was now barking at me laying on the floor and I was in agony not knowing what happened. When things like this happened you get out of breath. I pulled from my yoga practice and took several deep breaths before deciding what to do.

Bob was in DC working, and my neighbor Pokie was home, but was also recovering from foot surgery. So I thought I'd try to get inside and call my friend Joanne. I was able to do so and she came right over. We decided to stop at the rescue squad and ask them what I should do. This is an advantage of living in a small town. They gave me ice and suggested an xray. We proceeded to King George Urgent care where they did an xray. I had a difficult time keeping my leg still as it shook when I turned into the postions needed. While coming down off the table I cried. The technician consoled me and I was grateful.

Doctor said it was not broken, but that I had torn almost every tendon, ligament and muscle in my ankle. She wrapped my foot and game me an air cast. We took my prescription for pain pills to the drug store where I also purchased crutches. On the way out I slipped on a wet spot and landed on my left foot causing excruciating pain.

I went home put a bag a frozen green beans on my foot and laid on the sofa all day. Joanne came and walked Tad in the afternoon.

Bob and I decided it was best for me to sleep downstairs. It was an awful night as I could not get comfortable.