Eleven Days Later...

It has been ELEVEN days since my surgery.  I can't believe how quickly the time has passed.  Last week I found out that it was NOT recommended that I go back to work with my foot still in the splint.  So, another week off until I get into the boot.  I go back on Friday and I should be in the boot at that point.  

Before all of this started, I had some major concerns.  I think I can safely say I have tackled these head on and they aren't as bad as I thought they were.  I've pasted them below, in blue.  

#1 -- It's going to be incredibly difficult to get around. At school, the nurse has told me that I can use the wheelchair we have in her office.  That will be good, I guess. 

Getting around is still a bit of a challenge sometimes.  If I have to go too far on the crutches, it still wears me out, but I have to say I am definitely getting better at it.  I actually took my first trip out on Saturday.  My nephew had his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's and we went.  It was a complete mad house!  It made me nervous to crutch around in there and it absolutely wore me out.  But it was nice to get out of the house -- cabin fever was setting in! 

Last week I did have a grand idea about how to get around.  The picture below is my simple yet effective solution to getting around.  I can roll myself anywhere I want to go, but my family has been great about rolling me around.  Actually, I think my girls kind of like it.  lol  So very grateful for this rolling office chair.  :)

#2 -- I'm also a bit worried about bathing.  I know I can throw my leg over the side of the tub.  I'm really not worried about getting in the tub.  It's the getting out that has me stumped.  I can't get my foot wet or put weight on it.  It will be a challenge figuring that out, and I am SO GLAD that I won't have an audience watching the circus of me getting out of the tub.  (Please get that picture out of your head...I'm getting embarrassed...  hehe) 


Bathing has gotten increasingly easier and faster.  I have a system all figured out, and it works really well for me.  All I need help with at this point is wrapping my leg from the knee down so it doesn't get wet.  Yay me!

#3 -- When I FINALLY get to drive again, it might be interesting getting in and out of my Expedition.  It is not super high, but there's a running board to step on before you step into the truck.  I'm kind of wondering how that's going to work out...  Allison said she'd help me get in.  That might be interesting too.  lol  I don't think getting out will be a problem.  I'll just slide out and land on my good foot.  :)


Well, I'm not driving yet, but I have been a passenger.  I can easily put my "bad foot" knee on the edge of the floor board and then step up into my Expedition.  Works like and charm and doesn't affect my foot one bit.  :)  As far as getting out of the vehicle, the sliding out strategy seems to be working well.

#4 -- How bad is the surgery going to hurt?  Is it going to hurt so bad that I am going to want to throw up.  I hate throwing up.  And I'm really not fond of pain.  I hope they give me some hellacious pain meds.  I have a feeling I'll need them...


Well, I didn't throw up from the pain.  Thank goodness.  I was on pain meds from Thursday until early Tuesday morning.  Then, after I didn't really need anything other than Advil or Alleve.  The past 2-3 days I haven't really hurt much at all.  Mostly, I just get uncomfortable.  I guess I didn't need the pain meds as badly as I thought I would need them.  


All in all, this has been harder than I thought it would be, but only because it takes a while to get to feeling good again after surgery.  I sure didn't count on that.  Now that I am feeling better I am trying to stay busy...sort of...  I'm doing a lot of reading and LOTS of tv watching.  I now have some new favorite shows.  :)  Dr. appointment on Friday.  I'll be back later to update everyone on my progress!