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.

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.