Serious Progress!
I haven't updated about my ankle in a bit, so I should try to catch up.
After my setback of walking before my time, I was back onto the crutches for a while. The doc said that it would be 4-6 weeks before he thought I'd be up to walking. Well, he was wrong! I gently tried some usage last week, here and there, just a bit at a time.. and lo and behold, I'm able to walk! I am now generally crutch-free, except when it's particularly sore or I am boot-less and ace-less. I have done a little bit of walking sans boot, but it's still a little early to expect very much out of that, I think.
With the boot, however, I'm pretty darned mobile. It always hurts for the first 10-20 steps after sitting for a while, but I'm convinced that's not actually ankle pain, but more the tenderness of my foot from having been unused for so long! It hurts like I've been standing all day - not like there's anything wrong inside. So that's awesome. I now frequently leave the house without my crutches being anywhere nearby.. and that's huge. My first try at that was to the movies on Friday night, and I did really well. I thought for sure when the movie was over that when I stood up I'd be in trouble - but nope - after the requisite hobbled first few steps, it loosened up and was just fine.
I spent all day on it Saturday and Sunday prepping for the solstice feast, so it got quite a workout (as did I - I was exhausted and slept like a log last night!) and I'm none the worse for wear. Well, maybe a little bit more sore than usual - but definitely not swollen or angry in any way.
And today.... I DROVE! For the first time in 4 months I actually drove. I am so excited by this, you just do not know. :) I tried it in Irene's mom-mobile, a huge minivan with all the bells and whistles.. and it worked great. I drove all the way to lunch and back, then to her doctor appointment and back home. Hurrah! I think I'll wait to try my own car for a few days, just because of the stick and how it's hard to get in and out of. That can wait.
So yeah - I am FINALLY getting better. It feels like I've made leaps and bounds (though clearly not literally ;) with my recovery in the past week. I feel now like I'm where I should have been to walk the first time.
Watch out world! Gwynnie's back!
After my setback of walking before my time, I was back onto the crutches for a while. The doc said that it would be 4-6 weeks before he thought I'd be up to walking. Well, he was wrong! I gently tried some usage last week, here and there, just a bit at a time.. and lo and behold, I'm able to walk! I am now generally crutch-free, except when it's particularly sore or I am boot-less and ace-less. I have done a little bit of walking sans boot, but it's still a little early to expect very much out of that, I think.
With the boot, however, I'm pretty darned mobile. It always hurts for the first 10-20 steps after sitting for a while, but I'm convinced that's not actually ankle pain, but more the tenderness of my foot from having been unused for so long! It hurts like I've been standing all day - not like there's anything wrong inside. So that's awesome. I now frequently leave the house without my crutches being anywhere nearby.. and that's huge. My first try at that was to the movies on Friday night, and I did really well. I thought for sure when the movie was over that when I stood up I'd be in trouble - but nope - after the requisite hobbled first few steps, it loosened up and was just fine.
I spent all day on it Saturday and Sunday prepping for the solstice feast, so it got quite a workout (as did I - I was exhausted and slept like a log last night!) and I'm none the worse for wear. Well, maybe a little bit more sore than usual - but definitely not swollen or angry in any way.
And today.... I DROVE! For the first time in 4 months I actually drove. I am so excited by this, you just do not know. :) I tried it in Irene's mom-mobile, a huge minivan with all the bells and whistles.. and it worked great. I drove all the way to lunch and back, then to her doctor appointment and back home. Hurrah! I think I'll wait to try my own car for a few days, just because of the stick and how it's hard to get in and out of. That can wait.
So yeah - I am FINALLY getting better. It feels like I've made leaps and bounds (though clearly not literally ;) with my recovery in the past week. I feel now like I'm where I should have been to walk the first time.
Watch out world! Gwynnie's back!