3rd Week — Post-Op Summary

This week was a small improvement from last week. (Last week I was miserable.)

• Pain killers to be able to sleep is still on going
• At a very slow rate there is improvement on the pain I feel when my leg is lowered to the floor
• Doing anything on my crutches, or even the task of bathing, still causes foot to swell
• The type of pain I feel is changing. It's different. This week I experienced more shooting pain around the incision areas

EMOTIONS

I do try to stay positive by imagining all the things I will be able to do, what this summer will be like, etc. ;o)

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY CLAIM

The person handling my short-term disability claim approved me for 4 weeks when I spoke to her 3 weeks ago. But to give a final decision, paperwork from my surgeon's office needed to be faxed to her. This was done a week ago. I called her yesterday to get an update. Turns out she was out. Hopefully this coming week she'll get back to me, and will approve me for more time. I need it.

I did express my concern to my surgeon about still not being able to sit upright for more than 20 minutes with my leg raised before experiencing discomfort to the point of having to go lay down in a more reclined position. (This will not due for me to go back to work.)

I was told that the paperwork faxed over stated my surgeon's "return-to-work-date" for me, which was 3 months from date of surgery. So it's not up to the insurance to decide when I go back to work, that's what I was told by Dr. West's assistant, Barbara. 

She said the only way for them to make me go back to work sooner than that is for them to arrange for my employer to make all the accommodations needed for me to work without pain. In her experience, most employers won't go through the trouble and prefer to just follow the doctors recommendations. I'll keep you posted.

TOE

I keep my toes moisturized. I used Jojoba oil this time.

ALSO, I confirmed with Barbara, that yes, the reason for my forth toe being stuck in a lower position is because Dr. West over-corrects the toe to avoid having a 'floating toe' when all is said and done. A floating toe would not touch the ground with the rest of your toes.... we don't want that. ;o) She assured me that in time all toes would be aligned.

HELP

Someone from my church graciously stepped up to take care of my laundry every other week.

I also have a friend who has agreed to take me food shopping every other week. GOD IS GOOD!

Another friend of mine who is unemployed at the moment has been taking me to my doctor's appointments. 

I have also had a few visitors that helps me take my mind off things. ;o)