WEEK 7

Well, its been a while. To be honest, apart from getting the cast off, I havent had much to say.
Recovering from major foot surgery requires, well, a lot of sitting - reading, watching TV/Netflix/films, listening to Podcasts/music/silence, a bit of company from friends who bother to call - thankfully there have been a few, and dealing with different pain issues.

Last week, at the 6 week mark, I got the hard cast removed. Very happily, the surgeon was pleased with how the healing was going - seen on an x-ray. I was then put into an Aircast Camboot - as can be seen in one of the update pictures to follow!

I absolutely didnt like it the first couple of days, but have gotten used to it now. It means I can start to PWB (partial weigh bearing), but told to stay between 10-40% max. The reason for this is that the tendon repair can take up to 3 months to actually repair/attach, and also, the bone in the heel needs to adjust to the pins. (the physio in the hospital told me this this morning, which shed some light on it all)....

I can also sleep without the boot on now. I do keep it elevated, and have a sock on, as it is so nervy, and is still sore, but its nice to have it out of the boot as well. Also gives me the chance to soak it in oil to try and remove the dry skin - ewwww.

My other foot - left foot - is absolute agony, still taking all the brunt, but thankfully it has been put forward for surgery as well, which I cannot wait for!! Because of this, and the pain in my frankenfoot, I am still taking painkillers, which again, I look forward to the day that I wont have to take them at all.

It really is a long slow, and sometimes painful journey. I do absolutely stand by the fact though that I dont regret it for one moment. And, I look forward to the day that I get the other one done. I have attached some pictures to show how good it is looking. It does get quite swollen which doesnt help with the pain, but I am pleased at how well the scars are healing.

Goodbye Orange Cast!! 

 

 VERY dry skin - the night the cast came off. 

The ROBOBOOT!!!

2 days difference..... right pic after 1 day, left pic after 4 days. 

not weight bearing, but looking more like a normal foot!!! 

The Boot!! 

The comparison!

DAY 19

Today is Monday. This Wednesday it will be three weeks post op.

To follow on from last weeks blog, I was getting ready to see my foot for the first time, and get a hard cast put on.
Looking back, from where I am today, I suppose I personally would say the first 2 weeks were actually the easiest. Having the cast change as a marker at 2 weeks was something to aim for. Getting used to being NWB (non weight bearing), recovering from surgery, still having the smiley pain meds, etc, it was all a bit of a bubble.
Then, last Wednesday, I travelled to get my hard cast on. It is a 2 hour journey, and I sat in the back, with foot propped on pillows, etc. Unfortunately I hadnt thought ahead, and suffered terrible car sickness all the way up. My poor Mum driving in the front, and having to listen to my groans!
We arrived, and I went to the allotted day ward where a nurse removed the dressings and VOILA, there was my beautifully coloured, black and blue frankenfoot!!!! Now, I have to say, I am not squeemish in the slightest so I was looking forward to this so much. I actually was so happy to see it, with all the scars it held. I was proud to see this fine foot, not too much swelling, and with a new look to it!!!
The surgeon came around, and had a look, saying - "ah yes, you had the works!". He too was very happy with it all. I then asked him, um, can you now put me on the surgical list for my other foot - to which he had a look, and said, yes, especially with the waiting times for the surgery!!!

I then had a cuppa and a slice of bread to settle my stomach. The hospital kindly gave me an anti nausea tablet, and I was feeling so much better.

Then, i was wheeled down to the theatre, where they do casts, and had my new, bright orange cast applied. Not my color of choice, but she didnt have any purple left! She had to put the foot at a different angle - more like a "standing" angle, which hurt, but the nurse explained why - and I accepted that it might be sore for a day or two.

I then went back up to the ward where my Mum was waiting, got changed, and we left. Thankfully the car sickness had abated for the journey home, enough so that we actually stopped and had a bite to eat - my first outing in public with my knee scooter!!!! Very proud I was!!!

I have to say, I really was utterly exhausted by the time we got home. I fell into bed, and got the foot elevated quickly as possible.

Then, that night, I got the most awful, tears to the eyes pain. I took an oxy, which helped, and by the next morning it had abated.

Unfortunately, I also woke up with a dreaded stomach bug - nausea/vommiting/ and migraine from hell. This all of course meant I couldnt keep any pain meds down, so the day went by with trying to take something, take anti nauseas, take paracetamol, back up again an hour later, and so on and so on. I will say no more about it because it really was an horrific day.

The next day, I felt a modicum better, if not very fragile in all ways. I decided it was the day to start cutting out the coedine and see how I managed. Im proud to say, I did, only taking one that night before bed.

I woke up again on Sat morning feeling "ewww" again. Im not sure whether its opiate hangover, or a combination of that and the remenants of the bug, but yes, nauseus again, so took another anti nausea tablet and within half an hour I did feel better.

In fact, this was the day I decided to start pushing myself physically a bit more. I got up, had a small breakfast, went for a spin around on my knee scooter, chatted in kitchen with my Mum, then rested a bit. I then got up for dinner, and sat with foot elevated, and watched TV. I did feel better for all this.

Sunday, again, I got up and made my own breakfast (still a bit nauseas- another anti sickness tab) - fried egg on toast, and coffee, which were divine. I then went for a spin down the driveway, out into the fresh air. It was lovely, and did me the world of good mentally!! I was EXHAUSTED again though!!!
I did stay up and about more than the day before, and interacted and socialized, and it was really lovely to sit with the family for dinner.

Pain wise, its managable. Sometimes it does get me where I have a little ouchy, but it really is bearable, and this is such a relief to me. What I am starting to find a bit tough is the post op blues. Thankfully, I have been well prepped about them, and have my little cry, but then move on. I do feel quite vulnerable at the moment, and that doesnt help - not because Im on my own, but because I feel so out of control to such a large extent. On the other hand, knowledge is power, and having done so much research, I was prepared for a lot of what is happening and how Im feeling. I get that in the first 2 weeks, youre still on a bit of a high, drugs wise, and relief at getting over the surgery! Now there is a 4 week chasm spanning till the next appointment, so it feels a bit like an anticlimax in a way. But Im a positive thinker, and I know I will get through all this. Life also presents obstacles, problems, etc outside of the surgery, AND me!!! (No, I do realise, its not all about me!!!!!).

I am trying now to fill my day, and have a bit of plan to it - Physio exercises, mindfulness, reading, Netflix, etc......now Im getting up and about and socialising more with my Mum and Stepfather, and my daughter.

This week hopefully sees me return home to my own house. I feel quite strange about it, but miss  home and  miss my partner as well - (in an odd way!) and of course my animals!

I have added some pictures of my foot, so be warned if you find you are squeemish!!!

outside tendon repair

PTT graft

cotton osteotomy

calcaneal osteotomy

after surgery dressing

hard cast

site of pins

FRANKENFOOT!!! 

2 Weeks

Tomorrow is my 2 week marker. It has gone so quickly, even with every day being the same old, same old!!!
I go back to the hospital tomorrow for my hard cast. Ive said it before but Im excited to see my frankenstein foot. I know it will be black and blue, etc, but it will be good to have a visual on it!
Just a question - will they be x-raying it tomorrow? Just wondered!!

So, I had a shower on Sunday all by myself and had no difficulty at all. Im doing my physio exercises in the bed every day, and some core work. I do mindfulness and meditation every day as well, and other than that, I eat, watch Netflix, Shows, indulge in my facebook addiction, listen to podcasts and read.

Im down to 30mg of coedine and 2 paracetamol x 4 times a day now. Am managing well on the reduced dose of coedine. I have a feeling I may need it and the oxy tomorrow so will bring them with me. 

Nothing more to report for now. I feel its all going in the right direction. I am so lucky to be able to stay at my Mums, and god love her, she hasnt been feeling very well, but soldiering on - although, to be fair, all I really need doing is be fed, and my commode emptied when needed. (Im not a needy patient!!) But still, I feel it for her.

I am getting around on my knee scooter. Still havent used the crutched, nor have had to. I havent used the zimmer in about a week either. The knee scooter is such a blessing. Well worth every penny. 

So I will be back on Thurs with an update on how I get on tomorrow. 

Done & Dusted!!!

So, things took a turn for the very quick in the end.

For starters, I got a call to say that the surgery was being scheduled for the end of March/beginning of April. What great news to have more of a firm number, but still at least 6-8 weeks to plan and get everything into place.

Then, Last Monday - the 16/2/2015 I got a call at lunch time offering me a cancellation for Wed the 18th!!! To say I went into shock was an understatement, BUT, after going through a range of emotions, I decided there was no point putting it off any more, so I said yes, I would be there.

I then had to go up to the hospital on the Tues for an MRSA swab - the drive being 2 hours there and back! It gave me a chance to gather my thoughts and emotions about it all. Here I was EXACTLY one year to the day that I had been put on the surgical list,  driving up to be tested fit for surgery the next day. How did I feel? Excited. It was actually going to happen!!!

I went back home that afternoon, packed to small cases - one for the hospital,and one for my Mums where I would be going to convalesce afterwards. I showered, had a good dinner, then, early night as we had to be up at 4.30am to get to the hospital for 7am - fasting from 12 midnight!

We (my partner drove me up) arrived at the hospital and I signed into admissions. We were then directed to the surgical admissions ward, where nurses, doctors, more nurses came and went - questions, more questions, tests, consent forms, sketching on my leg, meeting the consultant himself and him discussing what he would be doing, then it was a matter of sitting waiting as they were going to bring me down last due to the large amount of work needing to be done on my foot.

Unfortunately, in this waiting time, I developed a pounding dehydration/coffee withdrawal headache. It was nearly unbearable, and any anxiety I may have had about the surgery itself was overtaken by this horrid headache, so, by 1.30pm, when they came to take me to theatre, I was more than ready to go to sleep!!!!

I was given paracetamol intravenously for the headache, then they did the nerve block on my leg. I then turned back over, was told I was being given oxygen, deep breaths, and the next thing I knew, I was being woken up at 6.30pm, and it was all done. I found out a bit later that I had probably been awake before that a few times, but those times I dont remember - ie talking to the consultant who told me all had gone very well!!!!

I was brought to HDU for the night so they could keep an eye on me and assess my pain, even though I had had the nerve block, and had a local anaesthetic in my hip (where they had done a bone graft), I had to keep having oxygen, and morphine. I was quite happy with this!!!!

The next morning - Thurs, I was brought straight to a 3 bed ward, where there were two ladies - one had had a hip replacement, and the other a partial knee. They were both very lovely, and helped the time go quicker. I was started on oral morphine straight away, and that went well. The nerve block hadnt worn off, and the local anaesthetic in my hip was still in place, so I was relatively pain free.
At 2oc I had a visit from a friend, which was great. Helped the time pass and lots of chat and smiles. When she left, there was the usual hustle and bustle.... Blood pressure, temp etc... I then had a lovely surprise of a visit from another friend which was quite unexpected! Again, helped the time tick by.
The hospital decided to keep me in on Friday as they only removed the local aenasthetic from my hip and wanted to monitor pain. I was quite happy about this and felt I needed the extra night. I was hit with a blast of pain in my foot in the afternoon and had a little cry. Then the meds got to work and made it more bearable again.
Sat morning I was happy to be going home. Pain was under control and I felt ready.
My partner and my daughter came and picked me up with the car full of pillows, ready to prop the foot up in the back seat! Trying to put a seat belt on was not easy!
Anyway, I got home and collapsed into a very comfy nest.... My mum is fantastically amazing and is caring for me so well....
So, its all rest and recuperation now... I've written this over a few days, but today is exactly 1 week post op.
How am I?
I can honestly say that the pain is more bearable than I envisaged. I am extremely glad for the Health Boards.com foot and ankle forum because I got invaluable tips about being prepared mentally and with my surroundings.
I'm not pain free by any means, and as soon as the foot goes down the pain rises but I'm just thinking positively each day and when pain strikes, I remind myself it's healing pain.
I currently get from a-b with a Walker/zimmer frame... This mainly consists of bed to commode and back. Quite heavy going on my left foot which will have to have surgery as well but the rest is helping it at the same time so catch 22!
I also invested in a knee scooter/walker which I've used for the longer journey to the toilet, and even to the kitchen! 😊 very tiring though as I'm obviously still recovering from the operation itself. Unbelievable how much it takes out of you.
Today a friend came and helped me have my first shower - Oh what heaven, washed hair, etc! I bought a second hand swivel shower chair which sits on the bath and it's perfect... I'll definitely manage showering myself the next time.

To keep me occupied, I'm reading, Netflixing, watching downloads, meditating, listening to music and chatting with Mum,my daughter and my partner whenever he calls.

I go back in a week to get this dressing off and the hard cast on. So, thats my focus!

It's funny how many people have and haven't bothered to get in touch... Kind of hurts a bit tbh, but you know what, it's their thing!

So that's about it with my update! I'm really excited to see how my foot is going to look! I wonder will I look really lopsided feet wise!!

ITS NOT LIFE THREATENING & IM STILL ABLE TO WALK

Its been a while. Not much to say really. Still no date, and feet, actually what I used to call the good foot - the left one, is getting worse by the day. 
Im at the stage now that I think Im going to have to use crutches all the time. I was using one crutch if I was out and about, but that was to take the pressure off the right foot. Now, the left foot has gotten so bad, that the pressure is more so on that. 
I struggle so much with the depression side of it all. Living with chronic pain is something that goes on and on and on and on.... there is just no end to it. It can only be marginally relieved by taking more painkillers - of which Ive spoken about previously - and how they affect me. Tramadol is an amazingly good painkiller - but has its side effects - headaches - like a hangover - restless leg and sleeplessness. Then there is the ibruprofen - I take 600mg twice a day - I could take more, but dont seem to get the timing right - and dont like what I read about effects on my stomach and liver.... paracetamol - regularly - again, the worry about my liver - and finally, a stomach protector to try and make sure I dont wear away the lining of my stomach with all the above..... I also take some sort of sleep aid -  because the pains in my feet and legs tends to be so bad at night. I rotate - 2.5mg of valium or a paracetamol night tablet - I dont want to become the lady with her happy pills..... :-(

I am amazed at how my relationships are coping. I think its a true marker of how my partner really does love me with the care he is giving me. My daughter is a teenager, so has her own issues to deal with. I have to be very clear and precise as to what I need from her. If I catch her on a good day, she will do as I request, but not so good at doing things "because". My poor Mother is worried sick about me, but she is struggling with pain issues as well. Friends wise, well, I dont really have any. I depend on cyber friends more than anything but physical friends have drifted. I wonder does this happen? I think it does. I think some are lucky to keep and maintain long friendships. 

The latest from the hospital is that it could be anytime between now and the summer - but I am not holding out any hopes. 

BUT, the optimist in me keeps saying from day to day - "Its not life threatening, and Im still on my feet" - in fact, its my mantra. 

DANCING

Dancing. I forgot about dancing. I miss dancing. I miss having my headphones on and dancing around the house. I avoid any invite that might involve dancing.
Im fed up with it all......................

Photos

These are the latest photos of my feet... Early in the day...