Still Cooking

Week 6 - just 3 to go, and yes, I'm counting!  Doing better this week.  Really hoping I'll be able to start walking once the frame is off and the walking boot is on.  Persuaded the doctor that we could pass on the last injection and not negatively affect the outcome.  I think he's as tired of trying to find the joint space as I am of getting poked.  So, just x-rays and re-dressing from now until frame removal the end of May.  Doing lots of visualization of joint space and cartilege rebuilding.  Pin sites look good.  Range of motion doing OK, in my opinion anyway.  Weight bearing OK.  Just keep plugging away.

Boredom

For the past week, my main feeling has been boredom.  I'm tired of dragging around the hamster cage and tired of everything associated with it.  The unique-ness has definitely worn off.  Its getting harder to be patient with myself and do things slower.  I'm tired of telling everyone I'm doing fine and there's nothing new to report.  I'm tired of wearing the same two pair of pants!  Its hard to force myself to take the down time I need to be fully rested.   My husband has taken to putting me down for a nap daily!  If I don't go willingly, he threatens to take my wheelie away from me.  I'm ready to get this thing off and start some serious physical therapy biking.  Just another stage in the process, I'm sure.  One of my fellow frame wearers gets his frame off today.  I'm very anxious to hear about his experience.

ROM going OK, I guess.  Don't really have anything to measure it against, but it increases every few days by 1/4" or so.  The joint is moving, and without much pain.  Mostly its the heel pins that prevent me from doing more.  Weight bearing is going fine.  I'm convinced I could walk with the frame if it weren't for the heel pins.  I'd also probably be tripping over it every other step!  The joint pain is minimal compared to pre-surgery.  So I think the frame is doing what its supposed to do.  Just trying to maintain a good diet and positive frame of mind, so the body makes that holy grail cartilege that will allow some pain relief when the ankle no longer as this suspension bridge to support it.  I really think if there was a Star Trek device to miniaturize this whole contraption, so it could be installed internally, we'd have a permanent fix to the problem.

Balance

Played hookey from ROM and weight bearing yesterday.  Heel pins just too sore to want to move anything.  Today played hookey from work so I could concentrate on ROM and weight bearing.  Bottom line is, think I overdid it this weekend.  Trying to find balance between normal activities and extra rest; and between taking or not taking pain meds.  I suppose by the time the hamster cage comes off, I'll have it all figured out.  ROM did improve today, so yesterday's hiatus might have been a good thing.  Up to @1.75-2" total movement measured against the hinge rod.  Not normal, but moving smoother and improving steadily.  Think body still needs several hours down time couple of times a day.  I tend to forget that riding in a car or being on the scooter counts as activity because the foot is down, not elevated and resting.  Just as being at work, even if sitting with the foot propped, isn't the same as being at home with it elevated.  Another doc appt. and injection tomorrow.  Only counting how many injections are left - not how many days in Hamsterville - yet.

Fourth Appointment

Doc finally has a routine down that is providing tolerable joint injections.  Requires numbing the skin, then numbing the muscle, then doing the joint injection.  But, whatever works is good by me.  X-rays show consistent joint space.  ROM is proving a challenge.  Makes the heel pins very unhappy campers.  But my nurse neighbor has suggested a new routine of pain meds that will hopefully help.  Hard to pursuade yourself to do ROM when its painful.  Otherwise, all going well.  Feeling a bit stir crazy and bad case of Spring Fever.  Would love to get out and walk dogs or bicycle.  Just keep thinking how good it will all feel when its done and how much more pleasant the fall walks will be this year.  Fingers crossed.

Range of Motion

Got an e-mail from my doc instructing me to begin range of motion and weight bearing.  You just gotta love modern technology.  Must admit, pretty intimidating to unlock the frame for the first time and try to move this thing you've been protecting so hard the past 4 weeks.  One of the down-sides to trying to do this long distance.  I think there's a great psychological comfort in having the doc tell or do these things to you in person.  At home, I just have to trust nothing is going to fall off!  Also have to admit, not much motion.  Lots of stiffness, and lots of pain trying to dorsi flex.  I have some serious work to do over the next 7 weeks.  Since we're still a few days shy of a full 4 weeks, I decided to ease into the weight bearing by having it on the floor when I sit.  The "weight" is just the weight of my leg.  Achey-est day so far.  But as with everything else, should improve with time and patience.

Really wish I could go to the pool, or at least soak it in the jet tub.

Week Three

Everything looking good.  We've decided the redness was an allergic reaction to the betadine, and its much improved this week.  Pin sites look good.  Very little pain most of the time.  Joint injection was much less painful this week.  I takte that as a hopeful sign that the joint is adjusting to having space and fluid in it again.  Mostly its just a bit of a hassle dragging around a hamster cage.  Hard to get comfortable anywhere but in my own home.

The Hamster Cage

Had my neighbor, a nurse, come over yesterday and inspect and clean the pin sites.  Finally remembered to take a photo while the hamster cage was naked and exposed.  We're trying to figure out what the redness is.  Looks and feels more like an allergic reaction than infection.  Pin sites themself look good.  Taking precautionary antibiotics just in case.

Overall still feeling good (unless I think about the next injection).  Bit worn out physically and a bit restless.  Hopefully returning to work a few hours next week will help.