9th week — Post-Op Summary

XRAYS
Saw Dr. Yes at the top of this week. All is well. He says I don't have to see him until the 12 week mark.

He took xrays marking my 8th week, and we sent them to Dr. West. I'M DYING to hear what he has to say about them. Maybe I can start walking sooner?!

PURPLE-EE (CONGESTION)
I asked Dr. West about the purple color of my foot from last weeks post. His reply: "Swelling and congestion is common for 'months'. Could be up to 6-12 months, but most is about 4-6 months." This congestion is not just a visual thing. It's very uncomfortable.

PHYSICALITY
This week I had to vacuum and mop. I did this before, during the first few weeks, and I ended up paying for it. But this time it was ok. It took me forever of course, hopping around and sometimes on my knees— but at least it's clean around here and I got to burn some calories. I'm really flabby. Can't wait to able to work out a little.

SLEEPING
Had to break down and take a pill twice this week to be able to sleep a little without the aching. But I do feel that finding a comfortable position is getting better. (Reminder, I had 4 surgeries done on one foot.)

MISSY
Easter Sunday was warm and I was invited over a friends house. As I was getting ready Missy was sniffing the fresh air coming in from the windows. I just couldn't take it! I felt so bad for her. I prayed and then mustered up the energy and courage to gimpy down the stairs and around the block with her on my crutches. 

I won't lie, it took some serious energy. (Long distance on crutches can make your collar bones ache.) And it was hotter than I would have liked, but it got done. I don't think she enjoyed it though cuz she had to wait for me and all she wanted to do was go. She would hurry along, but then feel a tug because there was no more slack on the leash... this made her think the tug was coming from me intentionally— some sort of disapproval on my part. My poor baby.

This confused her a lot cuz she couldn't figure what she was doing wrong. ;o( So then that made me feel bad. I won't be doing this again. I can't wait until I can walk her normally. She's such a trooper for going through this with me. ;o

PAIN
Pain is different now. It's not the suck-air-through-your-teeth type of pain. It's an aching that doesn't go away. And maybe a shooting pain about 3 times a week. My foot does not feel normal. 

THERAPY
Neither doctor has told me to do, or what to do, in regards to therapy. I started my own last week. I really feel it makes a difference doing the massaging. I feel it gets stiff when I don't do it.

FLEXIBILITY

See, the flexibility is getting better. Compare it to two weeks ago!

8th Week — Post-Op Summary

A bit of a breakthrough this week. YES!

The first bit of good news is I finished my taxes! ;o) At a turtles pace, but they are done! Yay!

That soon was coupled with an unseasonably warm day this week. I got to open my windows and let some fresh warm air flow through the apartment. (I can't walk Missy yet so she does all her business on her wee pads— the venting was needed. ;o)

PAIN

Heel pain I had last week diminished. Looking at my scars I decided it was time to bathe without a plastic bag on my foot. (I had not wanted to do this until the skin had really bonded together well— I didn't want incisions to reopen.)

Running water on my foot...OMG, this was amazing!!!!! I hadn't done that in 52 days!!! It was awesome. I gently scrubbed my foot with soap and water. (Had only periodically washed with a damp washcloth.) It was dreeeeamy!

MORE GOOD NEWS

I actually could put on a regular sock without it bothering me now. Wooohoo! (tried shoes... not happening yet.)



STRANGE (congestion)

I have to talk to my doc about this. Whenever my leg is down it changes color. (and becomes painful) I presume it's blood. The feeling of this several weeks ago was painful. Now the feeling is just uncomfortable. But the color thing is a little un-nerving. Gonna ask about it. Looks purple-ee. (what this is: see: "PURPLE-EE (CONGESTION)")

SCARS
Apposed to last week, this week I decided to go back to the ace bandage. I feel my scars still need the "pressure" for the scars.

Also, at the end of this week I decided one morning to massage my scars. (Doing it in the morning ensures any pain from it will subside by nightfall.) I thought it would be good for the scar tissue, to hopefully help heal with more flexibility.

Genius that I am, I did it too hard! The tendon underneath my Brachy scar swelled up. (made me panic a bit) and the opposite side of the heal-scar swelled up too! OY. I put the ace bandage on tight, checked it now and then. By the following morning things were fine.

A friend of mine went to physical therapy for a scar on her finger. She did confirm my thoughts about massaging the scar tissue. So I will continue, but gentler.

SLEEPING
Horrible. I have to do something about this...

LANDMARK

I'M 3/4 of the way through the 1st phase! YAY! 4 more weeks and I should be able to take my first steps! WooooHooo! 

TOE
This week I've been moving my toe as Dr. Yes recommended. Not remembering 3 times a day though. I do see immediate difference as to where the toe lays, but after a while it seems to revert back. I think I have to really do it 3 times a day and understand that it's a slow process. Let's see what happens.


Have a great week!