It's been 4 weeks since my surgery. I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. My cast was removed and my foot was x-rayed. Everything is looking great! The doctor told me that my foot was doing better than he usually sees. My swelling has gone down as well. He was extremely pleased with my results! He wrapped up my foot with an ace bandage and I was fitted with a 'walking boot air cast'. You'll see my newest accessory here.. and the grey bubble on the top is my 'air pump'. This inflates the boot so it will wrap around my ankle and helps with stability. Groovy!
So, I'm off to the races~ it's time to start walking! My reign as "Queen of the Couch" is beginning it's demise. Now my recovery is all about gaining strength as my heel bone and tendons continue to heal. I no longer am to keep my foot elevated when I sit, but to leave it down unless it gets really swollen. The doctor told me to start walking 25% of the time with 25% of my weight on my left foot while I use my crutches for support. Each week or so, I will shift more weight on my left foot, will eventually stop using my crutches, will walk with the boot only, then onto running shoes. This process will happen over the next 3 months, and will go as quickly as my foot allows. He told me to be prepared for increased pain and to push through it, but never to the point of injuring myself. This is a fine fine line to figure out, and it's my responsibility to judge. I am so ready to get moving again and since I've learned to tolerate foot pain so well, I have to be careful. I definitely am feeling overall muscle atrophy from laying down and sitting for 4 weeks, so I added some yoga/pilates into my day. All mat/chair work, since I'm still not able to stand. So the hard work begins! Those first few steps where so painful/crazy! It was a sharp jolt of nerve pain from the center of my foot all of the way up to my hip. I have NEVER felt pain like that in my life...crazy! I am incredibly thankful to be on this part of my recovery journey (even though it's painful).. there is a bright light at the end of the long tunnel!!
So, the doctor kept me home from work for 2 more weeks. He didn't like the idea of me commuting 30 minutes each way and won't release me to drive because I still am on a narcotic for the next two weeks. So, now I am to completely focus all of my energy on building foot strength and getting our household ready for my return to work. I am fearful of how I will balance it all once I go back, considering I was having a rough time doing that when I was walking normally. But, since I've been 'reigning' from the couch, my family has learned to help with much more than they were. Overall, I think this time with me being 'Queen' has forced my 3 men to pitch a hand, and has helped our family. For this, I am blessed!
Here's my new motto: "It's not I think I can. It's I know I can and I am!". Peace be to all!
