Today, I had my visit with the surgeon, saw my x-rays, had my old bandage/cast/splint removed, had the stitches removed, and a new cast put on. I was really nervous for it. I was afraid of moving my foot and resting it on the bed with no cast on it. The dr. said it looked good, was healing well, and there wasn't too much swelling. The most swelling is on the outside where they went in to break the heel. The inside actually looks slightly less swollen that it has been for the past 2 years or so!!
The burning I've been feeling is apparently partly a result of swelling after too much activity during the day and partly the nerve firing in ways my brain can't process as it returns to normal. The numbness is all the way down the outside of my foot and on my heel. I can feel touching and such so it is not nerve damage. It may take a few more weeks to be fully back to normal.
The physio therapist (Neuville) who took the cast off, removed my stitches and put on the new cast was excellent. He was very understanding of my nervousness and was very gentle. I have a light-weight cast (fibreglass) and it is blue (I had a choice: white, black, blue).
When I first got there, I went for x-rays. The screws were clearly visible. The splint cast and bandage that came off (check out how hard I'm gripping with my hands!) was messy inside with dried blood (ugh). I spent a bit of time shaking after it first came off but calmed down somewhat while waiting for the stitches to be removed (I'm such a whimp -- it didn't even hurt, I was just nervous). There were about 8-9 stitches on the inside of my foot, 4-5 on the outside of my foot where they went in to break the heel (this is looking up my leg), and 1 in each of two holes in my heel where the screws went in. Here you can see the purple arrow they drew on my foot to indicate this was the "right" (correct) one!!
After the stitches were removed, steristrips were put on. Then a sock like thing was put on my foot and I had to flex it as much as possible (which was difficult but I was able to do it). If it wasn't flexed, then when the cast came off, I'd be stuck walking on my toes! It is also turned in to the left (inside) a bit because it will encourage healing in my tendon which was quite damaged. It just means that I'll have to work to stretch it during the physio after the cast comes off.
I lay on my stomach to get the cast put on. I think this was Neuville's way of keeping me from freaking out too much. He was also quick to put my bed flat to keep me from watching during the removal of the stitches (which I must admit didn't hurt very much at all). He first put a bunch of soft cloth in the heel / foot area. The cast is still wet here. Finally, I get a glimpse of the new blue cast and here I look pretty pleased to have the ordeal over with!!
As long as the cast is on, I'll have to keep my foot above my knee as much as possible. My next appointment is Feb. 4 ... which is 5 weeks instead of 4 because my surgeon is away the previous week. I expect then I'll get this cast off and start the physio.
I asked about advil vs. tylenol because I don't find the tylenol helps. The surgeon said that advil discourages bone healing. Who knew? So, tylenol it is ... or maybe I'll switch to wine ... just kidding!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas Adventures
Well, I'm getting better every day. I must say that I felt quite down for a couple of days after the percocets ended. I'm not sure if it was related to going off them but I was certainly emotionally low for a couple of days. It was good to be distracted by all the activity and energy around Christmas. I feel much better now and am thankful to my family and friends for cheering me up so much and putting up with my emotional weirdness. I also had a bit of trouble with one of the common side effects of the tylenol ... I won't go into detail here but ... Yikes! Lesson learned!
Christmas Eve, Donny's dad and his sister and her family came over and we had a nice dinner with my them and my parents, too. So, we had Peter, Jenny, Milan, Kristina, Amanda, and Jessica over. Maddy and Aleks came over too so we had a houseful of kids which made it even more fun! Here are the kids by the tree and Woody in his Christmas "outfit". I sat at the table for much of dinner (my dad helped me get settled in my spot with my foot on the piano bench!). This was my longest time at the table yet and I even had a small glass of wine! But had to return to my favourite couch position to get my foot above my heart after a while.
On Christmas day, I had two outings to my sister and Geoff's house. We went over after lunch for a visit and gift exchange then returned there for dinner. It was a long day and I was pretty exhausted at the end of it. My foot felt like it was
going to explode by the time we got back home. The tylenol doesn't really seem to help but I'm pretending it does and hoping for a placebo effect! Here I am at Sue and Geoff's with Donny and my dad.
On Boxing Day, we had our annual Secret Santa party. For the first time in a long time (forever?), I did none of the dinner prep. It is a weird feeling to sit back and let others create the dinner. It was delicious! Donny used Uncle Frank's marinade on a beef tenderloin then BBQ'd it to perfection. We had roasted potatoes (my mom's creation), BBQ'd asparagus, Donny's awesome caesar salad, and green beans. Delicious! We exchanged gifts: I gave moccasins to Mary and Susan gave a gorgeous sweater to me.
On Monday, we went to Donalda Club for lunch with Lynn and Linda. It was really nice and much of the Gray family was there. Kevin was curling in a bonspiel while we were there so we got too see a couple of his awesome shots! My foot was down for too long, though, and again it felt like it was going to explode. Here I am with it up on the table as I eat. Peter commented that it was ironic there was a Club rule against txting but it was okay to have your foot on the table??!! "What kind of a Club is this?"
I came home and lay in bed with my foot up and read my book for a couple of hours and it felt good again. The sunset was beautiful last night and I got to see that from my window as I recovered my foot.
So, that recounts the busy weekend! I see improvement but realize that I can't push things too much because my foot must still be above my heart for the majority of the time. I have noticed that there seems to be room in my cast so when I move it around, it feels like my foot is moving around in the cast (splint) slightly. I guess the swelling is down.
Christmas Eve, Donny's dad and his sister and her family came over and we had a nice dinner with my them and my parents, too. So, we had Peter, Jenny, Milan, Kristina, Amanda, and Jessica over. Maddy and Aleks came over too so we had a houseful of kids which made it even more fun! Here are the kids by the tree and Woody in his Christmas "outfit". I sat at the table for much of dinner (my dad helped me get settled in my spot with my foot on the piano bench!). This was my longest time at the table yet and I even had a small glass of wine! But had to return to my favourite couch position to get my foot above my heart after a while.
On Christmas day, I had two outings to my sister and Geoff's house. We went over after lunch for a visit and gift exchange then returned there for dinner. It was a long day and I was pretty exhausted at the end of it. My foot felt like it was
going to explode by the time we got back home. The tylenol doesn't really seem to help but I'm pretending it does and hoping for a placebo effect! Here I am at Sue and Geoff's with Donny and my dad.
On Boxing Day, we had our annual Secret Santa party. For the first time in a long time (forever?), I did none of the dinner prep. It is a weird feeling to sit back and let others create the dinner. It was delicious! Donny used Uncle Frank's marinade on a beef tenderloin then BBQ'd it to perfection. We had roasted potatoes (my mom's creation), BBQ'd asparagus, Donny's awesome caesar salad, and green beans. Delicious! We exchanged gifts: I gave moccasins to Mary and Susan gave a gorgeous sweater to me.
On Monday, we went to Donalda Club for lunch with Lynn and Linda. It was really nice and much of the Gray family was there. Kevin was curling in a bonspiel while we were there so we got too see a couple of his awesome shots! My foot was down for too long, though, and again it felt like it was going to explode. Here I am with it up on the table as I eat. Peter commented that it was ironic there was a Club rule against txting but it was okay to have your foot on the table??!! "What kind of a Club is this?"
I came home and lay in bed with my foot up and read my book for a couple of hours and it felt good again. The sunset was beautiful last night and I got to see that from my window as I recovered my foot.
So, that recounts the busy weekend! I see improvement but realize that I can't push things too much because my foot must still be above my heart for the majority of the time. I have noticed that there seems to be room in my cast so when I move it around, it feels like my foot is moving around in the cast (splint) slightly. I guess the swelling is down.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Going outside
Today was a good day (day 9). I went outside for the first time since leaving the hospital to come home. I spent the morning visiting my in-laws with Donny, Hazel, and Woody. It was fun to get out and to have a visit. I used a hat on my right foot (socks won't fit) but it fell off on my way up their outdoor stairs.
I think the feeling is coming back in the top part of my baby and next-to-baby toes. They are tingling and sore like major pins and needles. When I run my finger over them it feels like it does when you have a piece of glass in your foot and rub it. I hope this is a good sign!
Only 3 percocets left ... 'nuf said.
I just "crutched" to the end of the street to deliver a thank-you in person to Sue for all the delicious food she's been bringing me and no one was home!! Crutching that far was a challenge! Hazel came with me to pick me up if I fell but I didn't. But it was surprisingly hard on my hands. It would be hard to crutch that far on a regular basis but hopefully my hands and legs (yes, plural, "legs" -- the one with the bad foot has to hold up the heavy cast) and arms will get used to it.
I think the feeling is coming back in the top part of my baby and next-to-baby toes. They are tingling and sore like major pins and needles. When I run my finger over them it feels like it does when you have a piece of glass in your foot and rub it. I hope this is a good sign!
Only 3 percocets left ... 'nuf said.
I just "crutched" to the end of the street to deliver a thank-you in person to Sue for all the delicious food she's been bringing me and no one was home!! Crutching that far was a challenge! Hazel came with me to pick me up if I fell but I didn't. But it was surprisingly hard on my hands. It would be hard to crutch that far on a regular basis but hopefully my hands and legs (yes, plural, "legs" -- the one with the bad foot has to hold up the heavy cast) and arms will get used to it.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Day 8 -- up and about
Today was a very good day. I'm down to 1 percocet every 5 hours and I am moving around more and sitting upright (with leg up) for longer.
I have tasks I can do to help out. Today, I zested and squeezed the lemons for my mom's famous "Gramma Butterworth's Lemon Butter". Yesterday, I cleaned out my jewel box and found something I can use as an "ankle" bracelet to dress things up a bit.
I had lots of visitors: Kevin came by and I caught him under the mistletoe :-) Ralph brought me more of his famous pate. Martina brought a fashionable (chic) carrying device for me! Betty and Mary came by for tea and cookies. We made some tentative plans for our Secret Santa dinner (our house Boxing Day) and New Year's Eve.
I was able to read some of my book. I'm reading the Lost Symbol right now. Nurse Woodchop stays close and acts as a pillow for my foot if needed. My mom said my head is clearer (less drugs). Hazel and I tested that hypothesis with a game of Crazy Eights Count Down which I LOST (again) but I think I was more in touch with what was going on. I don't think I've ever won that *#(*& game (drugs or no drugs).
I have tasks I can do to help out. Today, I zested and squeezed the lemons for my mom's famous "Gramma Butterworth's Lemon Butter". Yesterday, I cleaned out my jewel box and found something I can use as an "ankle" bracelet to dress things up a bit.
I had lots of visitors: Kevin came by and I caught him under the mistletoe :-) Ralph brought me more of his famous pate. Martina brought a fashionable (chic) carrying device for me! Betty and Mary came by for tea and cookies. We made some tentative plans for our Secret Santa dinner (our house Boxing Day) and New Year's Eve.
I was able to read some of my book. I'm reading the Lost Symbol right now. Nurse Woodchop stays close and acts as a pillow for my foot if needed. My mom said my head is clearer (less drugs). Hazel and I tested that hypothesis with a game of Crazy Eights Count Down which I LOST (again) but I think I was more in touch with what was going on. I don't think I've ever won that *#(*& game (drugs or no drugs).
One Week
Today, I played "One week ago right now ..." off and on all day! It's hard to believe it's been one whole week already.
I slept well last night and got up at 8am, did my whole morning routine by myself!! Jenny and Jessica came over in the morning for our annual foodbank Christmas donation. We normally all walk over and help out for a bit but this year, I didn't get to go and Milan and the two older girls were up north so Donny, Hazel, Andrew, Jenny and Jessica went. I walked them to the door to see them on their way and sat up to have a visit with them for quite a while.
Today I had delicious soup from Sue for lunch. The previous two days, I enjoyed Martina's chili. It's great to have healthy food delivered!
I feel better today. There is still pain but I feel like I can handle it better. Maybe the pain is getting less, maybe I'm getting used to it. I'm moving around more often but still need my leg up most of the time. When I move around, my toes turn quite red!
I've been moving around more. I even go into the kitchen now and then to look at when my mom is doing and check on things! "We" decided to do Jamie Oliver's "get-ahead gravy" for Christmas dinner this year (I'm addicted to the Food Network!!) I sat in the living room shouting out the ingredients and instructions and my mom did the work! It is delicious! I can't wait to try it with the turkey juices.
I slept well last night and got up at 8am, did my whole morning routine by myself!! Jenny and Jessica came over in the morning for our annual foodbank Christmas donation. We normally all walk over and help out for a bit but this year, I didn't get to go and Milan and the two older girls were up north so Donny, Hazel, Andrew, Jenny and Jessica went. I walked them to the door to see them on their way and sat up to have a visit with them for quite a while.
Today I had delicious soup from Sue for lunch. The previous two days, I enjoyed Martina's chili. It's great to have healthy food delivered!
I feel better today. There is still pain but I feel like I can handle it better. Maybe the pain is getting less, maybe I'm getting used to it. I'm moving around more often but still need my leg up most of the time. When I move around, my toes turn quite red!
I've been moving around more. I even go into the kitchen now and then to look at when my mom is doing and check on things! "We" decided to do Jamie Oliver's "get-ahead gravy" for Christmas dinner this year (I'm addicted to the Food Network!!) I sat in the living room shouting out the ingredients and instructions and my mom did the work! It is delicious! I can't wait to try it with the turkey juices.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Day 6
I've discovered that my "Day n" post is mostly about "Day n-1" because "Day n" isn't finished when I write the Day n post! Does that make sense? It does in my brain ...
Yesterday (Day 5), I tried to take tylenol instead of percocet for one dose and I paid for that decision. The pain was constant and strong all day even after I took a percocet in the afternoon. So, last night I took 2 percocets before bed and had a terrific sleep. Even when I woke up in the night, I didn't feel uncomfortable and could change position without too much pain at all. I also took 2 this morning when I woke up. Now I will try for 1 every 4-6 hours. It seems if one gets into a position of significant pain, it is hard to get back out to feeling okay. So, I will more slowly wean myself off these meds.
The "Nurse Navigator" phoned last night. This is a really neat service that is being piloted in a couple of hospitals in Toronto. One of the nurse navigators came to see me in the hospital before I was released and introduced herself. They call you after you get home (if you agree to being called) to check how you are doing. They also give you a phone number and email address so you can contact them. It is supposed to cut down on the number of people who have to come back to emergency after surgery. It is also reassuring to know there is a number to call if you have questions or concerns.
I've had a pretty good day so far (Day 6). I'm doing more and more for myself but it's tricky to crutch and carry anything. I'm going to have to rig up a back pack or something to carry stuff as I crutch around.
My sister came over last night for dinner and asked me if it kind of nice to be able to lie around and do nothing and I have to say it isn't really even a little nice!! I actually did think it would be nice to have an excuse to do nothing but it is pretty frustrating to be dependent on other people.
Maureen and Frank came by today. I always enjoy a visit with them. I even got up to crutch to the front door to see them off, navigating the 4 stairs down and back up by myself!! Martina came again today too. It is so great to have these visits with her. She brought me a Sudoku book which is great because I think my mom was tired of printing online puzzles for me!
So far so good on Day 6.
Yesterday (Day 5), I tried to take tylenol instead of percocet for one dose and I paid for that decision. The pain was constant and strong all day even after I took a percocet in the afternoon. So, last night I took 2 percocets before bed and had a terrific sleep. Even when I woke up in the night, I didn't feel uncomfortable and could change position without too much pain at all. I also took 2 this morning when I woke up. Now I will try for 1 every 4-6 hours. It seems if one gets into a position of significant pain, it is hard to get back out to feeling okay. So, I will more slowly wean myself off these meds.
The "Nurse Navigator" phoned last night. This is a really neat service that is being piloted in a couple of hospitals in Toronto. One of the nurse navigators came to see me in the hospital before I was released and introduced herself. They call you after you get home (if you agree to being called) to check how you are doing. They also give you a phone number and email address so you can contact them. It is supposed to cut down on the number of people who have to come back to emergency after surgery. It is also reassuring to know there is a number to call if you have questions or concerns.
I've had a pretty good day so far (Day 6). I'm doing more and more for myself but it's tricky to crutch and carry anything. I'm going to have to rig up a back pack or something to carry stuff as I crutch around.
My sister came over last night for dinner and asked me if it kind of nice to be able to lie around and do nothing and I have to say it isn't really even a little nice!! I actually did think it would be nice to have an excuse to do nothing but it is pretty frustrating to be dependent on other people.
Maureen and Frank came by today. I always enjoy a visit with them. I even got up to crutch to the front door to see them off, navigating the 4 stairs down and back up by myself!! Martina came again today too. It is so great to have these visits with her. She brought me a Sudoku book which is great because I think my mom was tired of printing online puzzles for me!
So far so good on Day 6.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Day 5
I'm getting through Day 5 just fine. I know I'm better except that I tried not to take the Percocet today and took tylenol instead. This has made for a higher level of constant pain which has been quite distracting. As much as I dislike having a fuzzy brain from the drugs, I really dislike feeling so sore. I am due for a Percocet at 3:15pm so I've been counting the slowing passing minutes.
Thank goodness CBC has curling on ... I'm really enjoying it.
I had more visitors yesterday: Pearl, Susan, Katie, Martina, and Jennifer! It was great to have people coming and going! Hazel and her friends did my hair with hot rollers and it was ... well, let's just say interesting. No visitors yet today ... hint, hint ... but Janet and Chris brought me a bell to ring for service. How fun is that!!?? (for me)
I slept great! Fell asleep at ~10pm and Donny and Andrew got home from their respective events at 11:30. I woke up then, took a pill, and went to the bathroom. Back to sleep until 6:30am. Another pill at 7am. I had a shower today finally (don't be too grossed out, I've been basin bathing! and washing my hair in the sink!). The sitting shower was uncomfortable but worked with a garbage bag taped to my leg and then a towel on top of that. I have to twist quite a bit to keep my right leg outside of the shower and up on a chair.
The trick so far has been to keep from getting too bored, too sore, and too demanding of my helpers. They have been very patient with me. Guess I should use the bell sparingly!
Thank goodness CBC has curling on ... I'm really enjoying it.
I had more visitors yesterday: Pearl, Susan, Katie, Martina, and Jennifer! It was great to have people coming and going! Hazel and her friends did my hair with hot rollers and it was ... well, let's just say interesting. No visitors yet today ... hint, hint ... but Janet and Chris brought me a bell to ring for service. How fun is that!!?? (for me)
I slept great! Fell asleep at ~10pm and Donny and Andrew got home from their respective events at 11:30. I woke up then, took a pill, and went to the bathroom. Back to sleep until 6:30am. Another pill at 7am. I had a shower today finally (don't be too grossed out, I've been basin bathing! and washing my hair in the sink!). The sitting shower was uncomfortable but worked with a garbage bag taped to my leg and then a towel on top of that. I have to twist quite a bit to keep my right leg outside of the shower and up on a chair.
The trick so far has been to keep from getting too bored, too sore, and too demanding of my helpers. They have been very patient with me. Guess I should use the bell sparingly!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Day 4
Last night I sat up at the table for dinner. I had my foot up on the piano bench. In that picture, Andrew looks like he is serving dinner to me but he is actually serving himself! My dear mother brought me my dinner.
Here is me moving around with the crutches (don't mind the mess around me ... my helpers seem ticked when I ask for them to put stuff away so I'm going to have to learn to live with a higher level of mess around).
Hazel helps me get back onto the couch.
I slept really well last night (Friday night) and didn't get up at all and had no drugs between 10:00pm and 6:30am. I went to the bathroom all by myself this morning (TMI?). I have a recurring dream (twice last night) where I'm pain-free and accidently step down on my bad foot walking around for a while before remembering that I'm supposed to be non-weight bearing.
I had visitors yesterday (Martina, Ralph, Mary, Susan, and Aleks) which was really nice and already had visitors today (Peter, Jacob, and Nicole)! Hazel's friend, Aleks, thinks we should get a bedazzaler to decorate my bandage and her friend, Nicole, thinks I need a pedicure. Apparently, the yellow disinfectant and dried blood look isn't working for her.
Here is me moving around with the crutches (don't mind the mess around me ... my helpers seem ticked when I ask for them to put stuff away so I'm going to have to learn to live with a higher level of mess around).
Hazel helps me get back onto the couch.
I slept really well last night (Friday night) and didn't get up at all and had no drugs between 10:00pm and 6:30am. I went to the bathroom all by myself this morning (TMI?). I have a recurring dream (twice last night) where I'm pain-free and accidently step down on my bad foot walking around for a while before remembering that I'm supposed to be non-weight bearing.
I had visitors yesterday (Martina, Ralph, Mary, Susan, and Aleks) which was really nice and already had visitors today (Peter, Jacob, and Nicole)! Hazel's friend, Aleks, thinks we should get a bedazzaler to decorate my bandage and her friend, Nicole, thinks I need a pedicure. Apparently, the yellow disinfectant and dried blood look isn't working for her.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Pictures post-op
Here are some pictures. This is me after the surgery. The oxygen was in for about 12 hours. The morphine button seen here was never out of my reach :-)
This is the back of my foot day of the surgery.
Here is the front of my foot the day of the surgery. No swelling yet.
Donny got through a whole newspaper that morning. Just like his normal work days (on long flights, he can get through 2 newspapers).
Day 2 front of foot. There is a little swelling in my toes.
Day 3 comparing both feet. Not too much swelling. I'm pleasantly surprised by this.
This is the back of my foot day of the surgery.
Here is the front of my foot the day of the surgery. No swelling yet.
Donny got through a whole newspaper that morning. Just like his normal work days (on long flights, he can get through 2 newspapers).
Day 2 front of foot. There is a little swelling in my toes.
Day 3 comparing both feet. Not too much swelling. I'm pleasantly surprised by this.
Day 3
I had a very good night last night. I slept from 10:30pm or so until 2:45am when I got up to go to the bathroom. Both nights (last night and the night before), I felt somewhat sick to my stomach when I got up but haven't actually thrown up since the day of the surgery. Might be the drugs causing nausea. I only took one pill at 2:45 and went right back to sleep until 7am. I'm kind of bored but my brain isn't functioning completely. I did a puzzle (str8ts) that my mom gave me (easy level) and it took a long time. She was laughing at how long it took me. It's funny to try to make ones brain work. I don't feel strange or buzzed at all ... but I know it isn't working the way I expect it to.
Woody wants to be in bed with me but I worry he'll (accidently) jump on my bad leg. He's with me now. This is dog heaven ... having someone to lie in bed with much of the day!!
Woody wants to be in bed with me but I worry he'll (accidently) jump on my bad leg. He's with me now. This is dog heaven ... having someone to lie in bed with much of the day!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Recounting some of the Details (only for those who are interested)
For those who are interested, here are some of the details (as far as I can remember!) When we got to the hospital at 6am (Donny came with me), I registered then went in a room to dress in a lovely hospital-issued outfit: slippers, hairnet, pj bottoms (one size fits nobody), gown, and robe. They took my blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, and asked a bunch of questions. Then Donny could come in and we moved to a place where I sat in a nice lazy-boy-like chair labelled OR-8 (a lucky number according to Andrew and also our house number!) The anesthesiologist came in and "marked" my right leg with purple marker and arrows pointing down. The OR nurse came and asked me all the same questions again that I had just been asked. My hospital bracelet was checked several times (I guess they want to make sure they perform the right operation on the right person on the correct -- in my case right -- body part).
I then walked to the "block" area where they put in an IV and I lay on my stomach so they could put a nerve block thingy in my right leg just above the knee. It seemed to take a long time and I thought they struggled with it so I asked a lot of "is everything okay?" "why is that taking so long?" "is something wrong?" They then had me roll on my side to put in the epidural. At this point, the nurse gave me some Valium in my IV ... I think to shut me up. I found the feeling of losing sensation in my legs quite uncomfortable. As they wheeled me into the OR, my legs felt bent but apparently were straight! I really didn't like that feeling ... I couldn't move them at all. I kept willing my mind to realize they were straight but it wasn't working. I don't remember much past that. I don't remember seeing my surgeon or the operating room. I guess they gave me the sedative by then. I didn't have a general anesthetic, just the spinal, the block, and a sedative.
The next thing I remember was the same guys who moved me into the OR (Javier from Columbia and another less talkative person) moving me to the recovery area. A nurse then paid a lot of attention to me, taking my blood pressure (was quite low at first), heart rate, oxygen, temperature testing regularly. I can't remember her name. Two young people came in to take x-rays of my foot. I was talkative I'm sure (the poor people) but don't remember my conversation very well. Slowly, the feeling started to come back in my left leg but my right foot was still pretty numb. It wasn't until later that night that I could start moving my right toes (just slightly). I can move them right now but the top of my baby toe is still a bit numb feeling when I touch it.
While I was in the recovery area, the surgeon came out and talked to me. He said it went well but my tendon was really damaged and they took it out of there. I'm still not sure what that means. Later another doctor who was in the surgery as well told me that normally they position the foot in a flexed position but because of the level of inflammation in my tendon, they positioned it so that it is kind of curved in to the left.
At some point they wheeled me into my room. The sling contraption they use to move people from bed to bed is pretty interesting and it worked well but I had to grab hold of the bed on each side to help slide me off the sling. The nurses were excellent. My first nurse was Tamara, my night nurse was Saira, and my Wednesday nurse was Issy. The worst part was trying to use the bed pan. Yikes ... not easy and slightly (okay, a lot) humiliating. Saira was the best at helping me use it.
I didn't sleep very well that night in the hospital but had a good sleep last night at home. My family came to visit Tuesday evening. I also phoned a lot of people on Tuesday. Everyone agrees I was a bit loopy from the drugs but I felt perfectly fine. However, some details have escaped me.
Those are the details! If you are still reading, I'm impressed!
I then walked to the "block" area where they put in an IV and I lay on my stomach so they could put a nerve block thingy in my right leg just above the knee. It seemed to take a long time and I thought they struggled with it so I asked a lot of "is everything okay?" "why is that taking so long?" "is something wrong?" They then had me roll on my side to put in the epidural. At this point, the nurse gave me some Valium in my IV ... I think to shut me up. I found the feeling of losing sensation in my legs quite uncomfortable. As they wheeled me into the OR, my legs felt bent but apparently were straight! I really didn't like that feeling ... I couldn't move them at all. I kept willing my mind to realize they were straight but it wasn't working. I don't remember much past that. I don't remember seeing my surgeon or the operating room. I guess they gave me the sedative by then. I didn't have a general anesthetic, just the spinal, the block, and a sedative.
The next thing I remember was the same guys who moved me into the OR (Javier from Columbia and another less talkative person) moving me to the recovery area. A nurse then paid a lot of attention to me, taking my blood pressure (was quite low at first), heart rate, oxygen, temperature testing regularly. I can't remember her name. Two young people came in to take x-rays of my foot. I was talkative I'm sure (the poor people) but don't remember my conversation very well. Slowly, the feeling started to come back in my left leg but my right foot was still pretty numb. It wasn't until later that night that I could start moving my right toes (just slightly). I can move them right now but the top of my baby toe is still a bit numb feeling when I touch it.
While I was in the recovery area, the surgeon came out and talked to me. He said it went well but my tendon was really damaged and they took it out of there. I'm still not sure what that means. Later another doctor who was in the surgery as well told me that normally they position the foot in a flexed position but because of the level of inflammation in my tendon, they positioned it so that it is kind of curved in to the left.
At some point they wheeled me into my room. The sling contraption they use to move people from bed to bed is pretty interesting and it worked well but I had to grab hold of the bed on each side to help slide me off the sling. The nurses were excellent. My first nurse was Tamara, my night nurse was Saira, and my Wednesday nurse was Issy. The worst part was trying to use the bed pan. Yikes ... not easy and slightly (okay, a lot) humiliating. Saira was the best at helping me use it.
I didn't sleep very well that night in the hospital but had a good sleep last night at home. My family came to visit Tuesday evening. I also phoned a lot of people on Tuesday. Everyone agrees I was a bit loopy from the drugs but I felt perfectly fine. However, some details have escaped me.
Those are the details! If you are still reading, I'm impressed!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Home
I got home today at 1:30 and it feels good to be home. I do miss my morphine button :-) They got me up and moving around on crutches today and the physio therapist (Ryan) was great helping me with stairs and giving me tips. Donny has been awesome too helping me move around and bringing me things.
This morning I had a slight fever so they were threatening that I would have to stay another night in the hospital. They gave me a tube-like device that I had to breathe in 10x per hour (of course I did it 10x every 5 min!!). It was supposed to help and I'm guessing it did because my fever went down and they let me come home!
So I'm home but I feel very sore right now. I can't take pain medication again until 5:30. This is the worst it's felt since the surgery but I'm guessing that's because (until recently) I had a nerve block and a morphine button. This is probably the baseline for me for future pain. The doctor and physio therapist said I should be getting up and moving frequently. I don't feel like it right now but did crutch around a bit at 3:45. Maybe after the next pill kicks in, I'll feel like moving around more.
This morning I had a slight fever so they were threatening that I would have to stay another night in the hospital. They gave me a tube-like device that I had to breathe in 10x per hour (of course I did it 10x every 5 min!!). It was supposed to help and I'm guessing it did because my fever went down and they let me come home!
So I'm home but I feel very sore right now. I can't take pain medication again until 5:30. This is the worst it's felt since the surgery but I'm guessing that's because (until recently) I had a nerve block and a morphine button. This is probably the baseline for me for future pain. The doctor and physio therapist said I should be getting up and moving frequently. I don't feel like it right now but did crutch around a bit at 3:45. Maybe after the next pill kicks in, I'll feel like moving around more.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
New Time for Surgery
I got a call from the surgeon's office today and my surgery will now be at 8:00am so I have to be at the hospital at 6:00am. Yikes! That's early! But the good news is that I won't be up and hungry for 2-3 hours before leaving for the hospital. When I'm hungry, I'm cranky! So, I am glad it was moved up to 8:00am. Also, I will have more time to recover so may get to go home the next day.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Inspiration
I found this link which describes the surgery I'm having (I think) - except I have to stay overnight in the hospital and I have been told 6-8 weeks non-weight bearing.
The before / after picture is an inspiration. The before looks pretty similar to my foot (it's even my right foot).
My cousin Rick is also an inspiration for me.
The before / after picture is an inspiration. The before looks pretty similar to my foot (it's even my right foot).
My cousin Rick is also an inspiration for me.
Preparing for Surgery
I have three days left of mobility (as my sister phrased it) and I have been preparing for the surgery in a variety of ways: emotionally, physically, and logistically.
Emotional preparation is the hardest part. I'm a bit scared but I don't know what I'm afraid of, really. I joined a yahoo group of people who have had this and similar procedures for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. That has made me more anxious ... the pictures of peoples' ankles, the stories of long recoveries. But when my sister said "only x more days of mobility", it made me think that the worst part is really the lack of mobility. And, while I don't relish being immobile, I actually think I can handle that. So I'm now less scared. Thank you, Soupy.
Physical preparation has been my focus for a couple of months. I've been swimming a lot to strengthen my lungs, heart, and upper body. I haven't felt this fit in a long time. I swam over 29,000 metres in November which is the most I've swam in one month since March 2009 and I hit 1,000,000 metres on December 2! My team encouraged me a lot and I'm grateful to them for their support.
Logistical preparation mainly requires being organized. I've got most of my Christmas shopping done (thanks to help from my mom and Donny). I've never been this organized this early for Christmas!! I will have my marking done (thanks to Rhonda for picking up extra instructor work while I'm off). I have tidied up some loose ends with students and hope that things go smoothly for them while I'm away. I have purchased a big pillow, a seat for the bath-tub, borrowed crutches, and made plans to live on one floor in the house for a while.
So, I think I'm ready. Only one more swim meet on Sunday and a few meetings on Monday at work and I'll be good to go on Tuesday.
Emotional preparation is the hardest part. I'm a bit scared but I don't know what I'm afraid of, really. I joined a yahoo group of people who have had this and similar procedures for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. That has made me more anxious ... the pictures of peoples' ankles, the stories of long recoveries. But when my sister said "only x more days of mobility", it made me think that the worst part is really the lack of mobility. And, while I don't relish being immobile, I actually think I can handle that. So I'm now less scared. Thank you, Soupy.
Physical preparation has been my focus for a couple of months. I've been swimming a lot to strengthen my lungs, heart, and upper body. I haven't felt this fit in a long time. I swam over 29,000 metres in November which is the most I've swam in one month since March 2009 and I hit 1,000,000 metres on December 2! My team encouraged me a lot and I'm grateful to them for their support.
Logistical preparation mainly requires being organized. I've got most of my Christmas shopping done (thanks to help from my mom and Donny). I've never been this organized this early for Christmas!! I will have my marking done (thanks to Rhonda for picking up extra instructor work while I'm off). I have tidied up some loose ends with students and hope that things go smoothly for them while I'm away. I have purchased a big pillow, a seat for the bath-tub, borrowed crutches, and made plans to live on one floor in the house for a while.
So, I think I'm ready. Only one more swim meet on Sunday and a few meetings on Monday at work and I'll be good to go on Tuesday.
Monday, December 6, 2010
About this blog
In this blog, I will document my experience with surgery to deal with my torn posterior tibial tendon.
Introduction and Background
This first post will provide background about my injury and the reason for my surgery. A lot of people have commented that they didn't even realize I was injured. It is true that I try to not let this injury affect my life but it really does and it really has for a long time.
I've always had what I considered to be "flat feet" but it turns out I actually have always had flexible flat feet. That means when my foot is not bearing weight, I have an arch but when I step it flattens. My right foot has always been worse than my left foot. I pronate when I walk.
About 17-18 years ago (1993, I think), I was running and, at one point, I went over on my right ankle but finished my run. The pain progressed throughout the day and got really bad through the night. I saw my doctor who referred me to a sports doctor who told me to always wear running shoes or Birkenstocks for support. Things didn't get better and I went to another sports doctor who recommended physiotherapy to fix the tendonitis in my posterior tibial tendon and orthotics to prevent it from coming back. Orthotics definitely helped and I always have to wear them and I always have to wear "good" shoes (running shoes with a lot of stability are best). The physiotherapy (which included ultrasound, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, ...) helped a bit with the pain but my ankle was still swollen, the tendon was not healing and, by this point, I was no longer able to do any high impact activities. I could still skate, ski (tentatively), walk, cycle, yoga, and swim. Fortunately, my favourite physical activity is swimming.
In roughly 2004, one of my swim teammates (the incredible Dr. Jenn Turner) was attending Chiropractic college and she suggested I come to her and try active release therapy (at this point, I still thought I had tendonitis that wasn't getting better). Jenn was amazing! She read research papers, tried many different things with me. At one point, she suggested it was actually tendonosis (not tendonitis), and we did graston, some electrode stuff, active release therapy and I did feel better pain-wise but I wasn't improving overall (ie, my tendon was not healing). Finally, Jenn suggested there was more going on and I needed an MRI. The MRI revealed a longitudinal tear in my posterior tibial tendon.
New doctor, new physio, cortisone infusion, anti-inflammatories, exercises, ... all helped to a degree but the tendon doesn't (won't) heal so surgery is recommended. I avoided and delayed the surgery now for 4 years but things have gotten much worse. Walking to the TTC to get to work causes some discomfort. Walking or standing at events causes pain and discomfort. I can't stand around or walk barefoot for more than a few minutes. I can only do the balancing poses in yoga on my left foot and my stability is off making me a bit tippy at times. I can no longer skate or ski. I have pretty bad lower back pain and spasms because my pelvis is twisted from walking.
So, I finally admitted to myself that my quality of life is such that the surgery is necessary. The surgery involves transferring another tendon (the "baby toes" tendon) to replace the damaged part of the posterior tibial tendon, breaking of my heel and the use of screws to keep things in place. I should even be able to run after all is healed but I don't know if I will want to. I just want to be able to walk without pain, play a bit of road hockey with my kids, skate, ski a bit, maybe water ski again, and stand around at a party without having to lift my right foot and perch there like a bird on one foot for periods of time.
The surgery is scheduled for December 14 at 1pm.
I've always had what I considered to be "flat feet" but it turns out I actually have always had flexible flat feet. That means when my foot is not bearing weight, I have an arch but when I step it flattens. My right foot has always been worse than my left foot. I pronate when I walk.
About 17-18 years ago (1993, I think), I was running and, at one point, I went over on my right ankle but finished my run. The pain progressed throughout the day and got really bad through the night. I saw my doctor who referred me to a sports doctor who told me to always wear running shoes or Birkenstocks for support. Things didn't get better and I went to another sports doctor who recommended physiotherapy to fix the tendonitis in my posterior tibial tendon and orthotics to prevent it from coming back. Orthotics definitely helped and I always have to wear them and I always have to wear "good" shoes (running shoes with a lot of stability are best). The physiotherapy (which included ultrasound, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, ...) helped a bit with the pain but my ankle was still swollen, the tendon was not healing and, by this point, I was no longer able to do any high impact activities. I could still skate, ski (tentatively), walk, cycle, yoga, and swim. Fortunately, my favourite physical activity is swimming.
In roughly 2004, one of my swim teammates (the incredible Dr. Jenn Turner) was attending Chiropractic college and she suggested I come to her and try active release therapy (at this point, I still thought I had tendonitis that wasn't getting better). Jenn was amazing! She read research papers, tried many different things with me. At one point, she suggested it was actually tendonosis (not tendonitis), and we did graston, some electrode stuff, active release therapy and I did feel better pain-wise but I wasn't improving overall (ie, my tendon was not healing). Finally, Jenn suggested there was more going on and I needed an MRI. The MRI revealed a longitudinal tear in my posterior tibial tendon.
New doctor, new physio, cortisone infusion, anti-inflammatories, exercises, ... all helped to a degree but the tendon doesn't (won't) heal so surgery is recommended. I avoided and delayed the surgery now for 4 years but things have gotten much worse. Walking to the TTC to get to work causes some discomfort. Walking or standing at events causes pain and discomfort. I can't stand around or walk barefoot for more than a few minutes. I can only do the balancing poses in yoga on my left foot and my stability is off making me a bit tippy at times. I can no longer skate or ski. I have pretty bad lower back pain and spasms because my pelvis is twisted from walking.
So, I finally admitted to myself that my quality of life is such that the surgery is necessary. The surgery involves transferring another tendon (the "baby toes" tendon) to replace the damaged part of the posterior tibial tendon, breaking of my heel and the use of screws to keep things in place. I should even be able to run after all is healed but I don't know if I will want to. I just want to be able to walk without pain, play a bit of road hockey with my kids, skate, ski a bit, maybe water ski again, and stand around at a party without having to lift my right foot and perch there like a bird on one foot for periods of time.
The surgery is scheduled for December 14 at 1pm.
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