Swimming

Finally got to go to the pool.  Little tricky getting in and out with crutches.  Have to be very careful of the slick floor.  But once in, it felt great!  Able to walk between 4' and 5' marks.  Even did some flutter kicking.  Really have to concentrate on allowing the ankle to be soft, and it takes a lap or two to warm up, but for a few moments I was outpacing the toddler swim class.  First few steps walking are quite painful, and still mainly using 2 crutches.  But discovered once I'm warmed up around the house, I can 1 crutch it pretty well from room to room.  Even managed a voyage from kitchen to living room and back w/o crutches.  Only been a month - not the 6 they recommend, but I'm ready to declare it a 90% success.  Really feel there's more freedom of movement in the joint, and certainly smoother and more fluid.  Once the ROM releases and the healing pain subsides, I think I'm going to be a happy camper.

14+ weeks

PT continues.  I actually enjoy it.  After not doing anything for 12 weeks, it feels good to move things.  ROM increases slowly ... but measurably, which is what counts.  Ankle got T-boned on my knee walker Wed at the library by some out of control kid.  He was lucky to walk out under his own power.  Really sore Wed and Thurs, but no damage done it appears.  I discovered Friday that I can 1 crutch it for a few steps, or even use a cane.  But it doesn't last long.  Has made it easier in the kitchen.  I don't strand myself as often.  Going to take the regular walker to work tomorrow to use while there.  Try to leave the knee walker at home for late night potty runs only.  Hoping to hit the pool this week.  Otherwise, just keep on hobbling along.

PT

First PT session.  They're already planning to ask the VA for an extension.  I guess they figure its going to take us more than 8 sessions to get from here to there.  My whole body is achey tonight, but it felt good to move things again.  Still no dorsi flexion, but plantar has returned to nearly normal.  My 'good' knee is a swollen unhappy camper.  Not injured per se, just exhausted.  Trying to weight bear with crutches has made life harder for it the past few weeks.  Not fully weight bearing.  PT did say I could transition out of the Frankenstein boot whenever I wanted, as long as OK with my doc.  So I came home and put the darn thing in the closet.   It doesn't encourage me to use dorsi flexion, and wasn't relieving any pain I could notice.  Transition complete.  Still using knee walker at work, because I'm useless on crutches.  I save them for weekends and off time.  Coming along slower than I'd hoped, obviously, but not surprisingly so.  It does improve incrementally every day.  Still hoping to be down to a cane by July 4th weekend.  Just my own personal carrot.

Melt Down

I suppose it was inevitable.  I've tried so hard to remain positive and flexible through this whole thing.  But, a week out of the frame, and I just can't get over the idea that a walking boot meant I could walk.  Reality is somewhat different.  So, still using the wheelie and ankle is stiff as a brick.  No pain - as long as I don't try to move it!  Yesterday I had my husband set me up on the front deck with my newly purchased flowers and my hanging baskets and dirt, so I could do at least a little gardening.  In Alaska, this is a really BIG deal every spring.  And about halfway through the project, I needed things that weren't there in front of me.  He, meanwhile, had gone off to do something else and couldn't hear me call for him.  So, then I tried to get up off the deck, only to realize it was too low for my poor tired "good" knee to support.  So there I am, stuck like a turtle on its back, surrounded by plants I didn't want to crush.  Not a pretty picture.  I did finally manage to get myself up and back in the house, where I promptly had a meltdown worthy of any 3 year old.  So I sent myself to bed, dirt and all, pulled the covers over my head, and slept for 45 minutes.  I woke up feeling better and decided I could probably tackle the gardening again tomorrow.  I guess the point is, this ain't over till it's over and the fat lady hasn't sung yet.

I have a JAS splint on order that will assist me in regaining my ROM, and am waiting on my PT authorization to be approved.  I'm fairly confident that once I can get into the jet tub or pool things will loosen up more quickly, but that's still several weeks away.  Meanwhile, I have to accept that I'm still reliant on the knee walker to actually get around, and just keep trying to stuff my foot into the boot at home and make voyages up and down the hallway.  Grrrrr....

And then there's all the helpful folks who keep saying "oh, you must feel so much better without the frame" and "what did the doctor say, is he impressed"  I know they mean well and I do appreciate it.  But the truth is, no it doesn't feel better out of the frame because the frame was supporting the ankle joint.  I don't miss the pins or sleeping in it, but I do miss the support.  And the doctors didn't say anything because from here on out, it's a total Hail Mary pass and it's going to be awhile before we know if anyone caught the thing anywhere close to the end zone. And this week, that end zone is a long way away.  So, I just smile, grit my teeth, and say "Yes, feeling better, thanks."

Cage Free!

Frame came off yesterday.  Very quick, simple procedure, which I slept through.  Foot pretty achey, with some sharp pains in the inside heel area where the heel pins were.  They have it compression wrapped for air travel, so I can't do much with it until I get home.  Then walking boot for two weeks, and whatever feels good thereafter.  I haven't tried walking on it yet.  With the compression wrapping, the boot is pretty tight and uncomfortable, and puts stress on the bones if I wear it while using the knee walker.  I decided to stay off it another couple of days and get as much swelling down as possible before travelling home.  Then I can experiment in the comfort of my own home.  Sleeping is really nice without the frame.  I don't wake up to readjust pillows and props every time I change positions.

Counting Down

Yes, I'm counting days.  8 and a wake up to be exact.  Past few days pins have been hurting all the time.  I sneezed yesterday and nearly cried at the pain.  Strange since its all been fairly pain free.  But others have told me its like this when the end is near.  The pins are ready to come out.  I skipped ROM and weight bearing yesterday.  Just tried to keep the foot really still and iced.  Even hitting small irregularities on my scooter was painful.  Today a bit better, but still stinging pretty good.  And I'm tired again.  Suddenly sitting with the foot up and taking naps again isn't such a bad idea.  Very interesting the phases this process goes through.  Looking forward to joining those of my on-line chat buddies who've recently had their hamster cages removed.  Really looking forward to moving the body again, in whatever capacity.  Feeling confident this part of the process has been successful and will work.  Anxious to hear what kind of physical therapy is in store.

Cinco de Mayo

Not sure what that has to do with ankle distraction - I just like saying Happy Cinco de Mayo.

Not much new to report this week.  Didn't have to go to the doctor, which was a nice relief.  Doing my own pin care since my nurse neighbor went on vacation.  Need longer arms for those outside heel pins.  But everything looking good.  Talked with Phoenix doctor and he only plans to remove frame while I'm there.  Leaving permanent pins and spurs alone for now.  Was able to call and arrange a knee scooter for the week I'm there.  So, now just continue ROM and weight bearing for a couple of weeks and then we'll see what's in store during Phase II of this project.  Had a chiropractic adjustment yesterday.  Seems to have done wonders for the attitude. :)  Also fell yesterday.  Just stood up, lost my balance, and realized I was going down and had to hold up caged foot and not fall on dog in the process.  "Good" knee hit pretty hard, but it still works so I guess we're OK.  Like I said, the going slow thing has gotten old by now and it's hard to be patient with myself.  Guess this was a sign I need to pay more attention.