5/7 - Das Boot!

So it's been a while since I've written about the actual recovery.  As I mentioned in the last post, I made it through the long days of having a cast and not being able to do much.  It is astonishing how quickly we can adapt to new circumstances, as within a week or so I was able to get my scooter up and down the stairs on my own, and take care of everything in the house (with the exceptions of changing light bulbs and carrying my laundry basket)  :)

Nevertheless, I was very excited for my appointment last Friday to get the cast removed and progress to the next stage of recovery.  And I have very good news to report, which is that the recovery continues to go faster than expected, with no setbacks or problems of any kind!!!!  Here are the details.

During the appointment, first the Cast Technician had to remove the existing fiberglass cast.  Since it has hardened since being applied, the only way to remove the cast is to break it apart, which these days is done with an electric  saw.  Pretty cool, right?  He let me know that I'd feel a little pressure and a tickling sensation from the vibration of the saw.  I asked if he minded my taking a video of the process, and since he was OK with that plan, here's what it looked and sounded like.

Once the cast was off, my surgeon Dr. Jensen took a look and was very happy with the lack of swelling and the overall coloration of the scar.  He then ran a variety of quick strength and flexibility tests, and they were surprised to see that I had regained more flexibility in the ankle (both up and down) than expected.  And while essentially most of the muscle in my right calf is gone, the reflexes there were working perfectly as well.

So while I was supposed to have another week or two of dealing without being able to put any weight on my leg, they decided to progress me directly to a walking boot and said I can start testing the flexibility and putting some pressure on it immediately.  I also got a prescription to start physical therapy, which is supposed to run twice a week for 4-6 weeks as needed.

First up, the boot!  It's pretty light, has a ton of Velcro straps, a raised heel and lots of padding.  It takes about 90 seconds to get on and strapped in properly.  And the best part is that I can take it off whenever I want: to sleep, to shower, or whenever I'm just sitting around and will be for an extended period.  My surgeon actually wants it off at least a few times during the day so I can stretch my ankle and leg.  Here are two pics of what it looks like by itself and when I have it on.

When I got home, in addition to taking a shower and actually cleaning my right leg and foot for the first time in 6 weeks, I also took a picture of the scar.  For those that saw teh last picture a few posts ago, you'll see the great improvement based on how it looks now.

In the 8 days since this appointment, I've already noticed even more improvement.  I can stand with both feet on the ground (with the boot on) with no pain, and can even take a couple of quick hobbling steps.  I can "walk" with the crutches and my right foot touching the ground, and even get up and down the stairs pushing off on my right leg and not needing to hop anymore.  All positive steps (literally).

The only unfortunate thing is that I haven't been able to actually start physical therapy yet.  I contacted the recommended provider last Monday, but then went back on the road for a meeting in Dallas.  And unfortunately found out on Wednesday that they were an "out of network" provider for my insurance anyway.  So I found a new PT place on Friday, and I have my initial evaluation with them this coming Tuesday.  Hopefully I'll be able to get 2-3 sessions in with them after the evaluation before I have to hit the road again for Atlanta on May 17. 

That's about it for now.  I expect a lot of stuff to happen about two weeks from now.  I should be completely free of crutches by then, and the scooter will get returned around May 24.   I think I'll be cleared to start exercising more normally (swimming,stationary bike), and will even hopefully be cleared to try driving by Memorial Day and my vacation in NY.  More updates as I have them!

4/25-29 - On the Road Again

It's been two weeks since I've written a post, but that's mainly because there hasn't been much to say.   I've been in the strange waiting period where the leg is healing, but until I get the cast off and start physical therapy nothing much changes from day to day.  There's essentially no pain, and I've gotten very accustomed to the changes that stem from living with limited mobility.

The only major news of note was that after a month off, I had to head back out on the road for work this week...  Generally speaking I probably travel somewhere three weeks a month for work,  so to have done none of that for 4-5 weeks is a big deal.  Everyone at work has been very understanding, and I probably could have waited even longer if I wanted to.  But the reality is that this is what I do, and while I knew it wouldn't be a fun week, I needed to get back out there and know that I was earning my keep.

Unfortunately, I chose a hell of a week.  I wound up traveling somewhere i the neighborhood of 7,000 miles:
 - On Monday from San Francisco to San Diego
 - On Tuesday from San Diego to Edmonton (through Seattle)
 - On Wednesday from edmonton to Dallas (through San Francisco)
 - On Friday Dallas back home

So what did I learn?  Well,  primarily that when you're injured and traveling, people are very nice to you!  From wheelchair escorts to flight attendants, cab drivers, bell hops, my colleagues, and even complete strangers, I encountered nothing but people willing to help me get where I needed to be (with one unfortunate  exception).  Some of the highlights included:

• The lovely woman sitting next to me from San Diego to Edmonton who offered to switch seats so I could sit in the aisle and stretch my leg
• The staff at the United Red Carpet Club at SFO who arranged an extra wheelchair escort to take me through the food court (and even carried my tray) so I could have dinner in between flights to Dallas
• The United staff in Edmonton who walked over to Starbucks and got a drink for me 
• The woman at the ticket counter in Dallas who checked my bag for free
• My cab driver in Edmonton who went out of his way to find an open drive-through after midnight so I could have a bite to eat on the way to my hotel
• My driver back at home who brought my suitcase up to my apartment and then drove me to my medical appointment for no extra cost
• The bellhop in Dallas who got me ice, bottled water, and even offered to bring a sandwich up to my room when I checked in at 1:30 AM (yes, I got there very late) so I wouldn't have to go back down to the lobby on crutches more than once
• All my colleagues throughout the trip who picked me up, drove me around, carried my bags, and made my life as easy as possible - Thanks EVERYONE!

There are some downsides to traveling while injured too.  For example:

• While you go to the front of every security line when you're in a wheelchair, that also means you have to get the full manual pat down from security at every airport.  It takes forever, as they have to test not only your body, but the cast and the chair too
• If you have a long layover, you can't really spend any time wandering/shopping.  Your escort will take you from gate to gate, and stop at a Starbucks or the restroom, but once you get to the new gate you're pretty much stuck there until the next plane boards
• Customs agents find it very odd to see someone who can't walk traveling alone :)
• You spend a fortune in tips

Thankfully, while I will be traveling a few more times before I'm off the crutches for good, the rest of my trips should be much simpler.   Next week it's back to Dallas for a couple of days.    The week of the 16th I'll be headed to Atlanta for a night, and the week of the 23rd a quick trip out and back to Houston.  Then I'm on vacation for a bit in New York over Memorial Day.  Maybe someday I'll get to travel in my own time zone again....

More tomorrow about the actual recovery, as I am now officially cast-free!