First Walk Outside

Yesterday I met Steve at the gym and we went for a walk around a lake across the street from the gym. This was my first attempt at walking outside (besides going in and out of buildings). We made it probably about a 1/4 to a 1/2 of a mile before my ankle was telling me to quit. It was a good start at least. Can't say it was much of a workout for Steve, but I sure felt sore afterwards. I still walk very slow.

Next week will present me with another challenge - my first time flying since before I fell. I'm heading to Phoenix on Thursday for the weekend. I'm looking forward to the trip but will enjoy it more once I get through security and the airport. I'll keep you posted as to if I set off the metal detectors. I'm either going to take a crutch or a cane as I go through the airport. I figure it's better to have people notice there is something wrong with me than just thinking I walk funny. Maybe they'll stay out of my way - and hey, I should be able to board the plane early!

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend. I'm looking forward to the extended weekend. My company also started summer hours this past week so I was off of work at noon on Friday!

Enjoy the start of summer. Be safe!

Familiar Looking Boot - Ahh, Growing Pains

Does this look familiar? Looks like the old "stormtrooper" boot again doesn't it? There's a bit of a difference though - do you see it?

The good news is that this is not my foot! The bad news is that my niece Krista is now the proud owner of an Aircast walking boot too. Luckily she only will have to wear it for a week - unlike my 8 weeks.

Krista has been having some heel pain and at first it appeared that she may have a fracture in her heel. The podiatrist looked at the x-rays and thankfully she doesn't have a fracture. However, she does have an irritation on or of the growth plate in her foot. (Something like that anyway.) Guess she really does have growing pains.

Now that she and I have this in common I told her I'd put her picture up on the site to go along with my pics. Send good mojo her way that she will only have to have it for a week!

Feet Don't Fail Me Now

The picture to the right is one I took looking down at my feet while standing barefoot in my family room. I just took off socks, so I have some strange lines on my feet. The only scars are still the vertical ones on the side. I also notice that I've got some strange spacing between my toes on the right foot. Guess the bones need to remember how to work now that they've been on a leave of absence for 11 weeks.

I received the ok to go back to regular shoes today and start walking. The doctor said to try it at home for a day or two before I start going out and about without my boot. It was pretty strange to take the first step tonight here at home. I'm enjoying the freedom it provides to just get up and move when I want to. I also was able to tuck my leg underneath me while sitting on the couch for the first time in almost 3 months.

The report from the OS was good. I'm about 99.9% healed. He said I will have swelling still for the next 6-12 months, but that I'm about a month out from being able to run. Hmmm...never was a runner before, but hey - why not! I can leave the hardware in my ankle for life - however, if after a year it starts bugging me having a plate on the side of my ankle, we can go in and take it out. At this point I'm not planning on it, that's for sure. I don't have to go back to see the doctor unless I have any troubles or concerns. I'd definitely recommend this OS to anyone needing orthopedic surgery.

I am very slow walking and I limp quite a bit, but I know it'll get better. Every stage of this process has seemed difficult at first, but it quickly gets easier. I hope by my girl's weekend in early June to be walking around just fine.

Quick Note: Price is Right has a primetime special on Wednesday, May 16th and a special on Bob Barker on May 17th. Be sure and watch!

Well, need to check my laundry. Exciting - I don't have to use crutches, put on my boot, or anything. Woo-hoo!! I simply can get up and walk....feet don't fail me now!

2 Days and Counting

2 more days! That's what I hope will be the number of days I still have to wear the old walking boot. I go in on Tuesday to see the OS and 5 weeks ago he indicated that this next appointment will be when I get back in my own shoes. Although, as I've mentioned before, not sure I'll have a shoe that will fit. Although I found some cute looking shoes (Mahogany is the color I like best - kind of brownish and purple) in the Land's End catalog that look like they'd be comfortable and stylish. Not exactly work shoes, but they look like they'd be good for someone just starting to walk again.

OK, so 11 weeks ago we had about 14 inches of snow. Today we broke a record by hitting 92 degrees! That's a little warm - especially when you have a thick sock and boot on your foot. My parents were up for a visit this weekend and one of the "tasks" my mom had on "my" agenda was to paint my toenails. She did that today with only a couple of comments about how hot my foot was and that it kind of smelled. Well - that's what 92 degrees does I guess.

We had a great time with my parents this weekend - lots of good restaurants and activities. They are on their way home now though. Next up for me - a trip to Phoenix (speaking of hot!)

Be sure and check back for an update on Tuesday or Wednesday as to if I have a regular shoe on my foot or not. I hope you can sleep while you await the big news!

Take care!

If the Shoe Fits

Today marks the first time I actually put one of my shoes on my broken foot! It was a tennis shoe. I've been using Steve's shoe when I drive. Now I technically could use my own - although it feels pretty small - and that's after stretching it out as far as I could. It was a good feeling to be able to put my own shoe on - especially given that on May 15th I might get clearance to lose the boot and wear a shoe!

However, I think I'm going to have to buy new bigger shoes, at least for the immediate future. It'll be interesting to see how that affects my good foot. I've heard that Nordstroms will let you buy 2 different sizes of the same shoe. Although, I've seen Nordstroms prices and am not sure that'll be the way I'll go!

Friday Night Musings

Interesting...I'm now back at work and super busy, but I have less interesting things to post on the blog than I did with the Price is Right mumbo, jumbo. I don't want to talk about work too much. I've heard of people who were fired after blogging about work. Don't need that to happen!

The ankle is still coming along. Last night I really worked on exercising it and keeping it elevated. Steve came in the room and said it was the smallest he had seen my foot since before the accident. So, the swelling is trying to come down. My physical therapist thinks I should still walk some with one crutch so I don't injure my back or some other area by walking funny. I may have to borrow my mom's cane (from her knee surgeries) for when I'm back in regular shoes.

Speaking of my parents...they are finally getting up here for a visit next week. I told them if they didn't come by the 15th, they would have missed out on all of the ankle recovery process (the 15th is when I hopefully get out of the boot). Sadly, I will always have evidence of this unfortunate chapter of my life - these scars will be my "badge of honor."

The end of May sees me taking my first trip on a plane since before the fall. I'm heading to Phoenix to visit Beth & Jenni. We were supposed to go to Phoenix the end of March (when going to Phoenix makes more sense!) I messed up those plans and thankfully Jenni was willing to change her flights and go when I could too. I'm a little anxious about the airport, but I'll just allow extra time. Hey, maybe I'll get to board early - for those people who need extra time to board.

Well, thus ends my Friday Night Musings...it is now time for my daily dose of Friends and Scrubs reruns. If it's a really late night, Bernie Mac reruns come on - then I can do some major chillaxin.