ankle update
so, here I am once more...
OK, skip the 'once more' bit, that's just a line from a song...It's been so long since I injured myself seriously that I don't remember the recovery process _at_all_.
+Saw the Boston orthopedist yesterday. Like him. Will be seeing him for years to come, in all likelihood.
+Have a comfortable splint on my ankle. My foot is in a normal position1. Was able to not only watch the splint being put on, but advise the woman in making it more comfortable. Plus, playing with plaster looks like fun! (Psst...come by & help me decorate it!)
-New splint is freakin' heavy. My hip & knee muscles are groaning.
-Elevation. They told me 'elevate frequently' when they let me leave the hospital. They DID NOT say, 'This means you need to lie on your back with your leg up in the air, make sure your injury is above your heart, etc.' I learned that definition from the Ortho yesterday. They did not say how long I need to spend my time in this position; a friend of hmark42's did a worse job on himself and had to keep his leg up for 8 weeks. Please no?!
-Visiting one ER after another, b/c of a 'stinky foot' odor in my first splint. Turns out to be a minor infection in the surgery wounds, caught early enough not to be of concern. BUT! When you go to an ER for a 'bad odor' because your doc(s) are too busy to see you, bring along a crossword book or three. Seriously. Especially if you go into Boston.
+The upside of the above is I have gotten good at walking2 into hospitals and appropriating the nearest wheelchair. Beware my steering in tight quarters, though!
-Also, sitting in the ER at midnite when your birthday begins is not recommended. I asked one of the docs there for the 'booby prize' for it it being my birthday, and all I got was a plastic container of cranberry juice.
+My family has come to visit. My folks brought a birthday cake & such Sunday (the real day was yesterday). My aunt & grandmother were just here this afternoon.
+Hmark42 continues to be an angel to me, and I am writing how wonderful he is on my splint. Here's a picture of the splint I had leaving the hospital: (clickie for biggie)
More again when I can...
1: Unfortunately, now that my foot is parallel to the floor, my instincts to keep the foot OFF the floor aren't quite as effective. This has only been a problem once so far, when I'd lost my balance.
2: for some value of walking, i.e. one foot & two crutches. Don't worry, I'm behaving as best I can.
OK, skip the 'once more' bit, that's just a line from a song...It's been so long since I injured myself seriously that I don't remember the recovery process _at_all_.
+Saw the Boston orthopedist yesterday. Like him. Will be seeing him for years to come, in all likelihood.
+Have a comfortable splint on my ankle. My foot is in a normal position1. Was able to not only watch the splint being put on, but advise the woman in making it more comfortable. Plus, playing with plaster looks like fun! (Psst...come by & help me decorate it!)
-New splint is freakin' heavy. My hip & knee muscles are groaning.
-Elevation. They told me 'elevate frequently' when they let me leave the hospital. They DID NOT say, 'This means you need to lie on your back with your leg up in the air, make sure your injury is above your heart, etc.' I learned that definition from the Ortho yesterday. They did not say how long I need to spend my time in this position; a friend of hmark42's did a worse job on himself and had to keep his leg up for 8 weeks. Please no?!
-Visiting one ER after another, b/c of a 'stinky foot' odor in my first splint. Turns out to be a minor infection in the surgery wounds, caught early enough not to be of concern. BUT! When you go to an ER for a 'bad odor' because your doc(s) are too busy to see you, bring along a crossword book or three. Seriously. Especially if you go into Boston.
+The upside of the above is I have gotten good at walking2 into hospitals and appropriating the nearest wheelchair. Beware my steering in tight quarters, though!
-Also, sitting in the ER at midnite when your birthday begins is not recommended. I asked one of the docs there for the 'booby prize' for it it being my birthday, and all I got was a plastic container of cranberry juice.
+My family has come to visit. My folks brought a birthday cake & such Sunday (the real day was yesterday). My aunt & grandmother were just here this afternoon.
+Hmark42 continues to be an angel to me, and I am writing how wonderful he is on my splint. Here's a picture of the splint I had leaving the hospital: (clickie for biggie)
More again when I can...
1: Unfortunately, now that my foot is parallel to the floor, my instincts to keep the foot OFF the floor aren't quite as effective. This has only been a problem once so far, when I'd lost my balance.
2: for some value of walking, i.e. one foot & two crutches. Don't worry, I'm behaving as best I can.