i basically do things now

Hi all!!

It's been a couple of weeks since my last update - and I realized yesterday that I'm 16 weeks post-op...yes, that's FOUR MONTHS. That's bananas. 4 months is long, but it has sure as fuck felt longer. This also means I started weight-bearing just a little over 2 months ago. Wow. Time sure does NOT fly when the only thing you think about is your ankle.

But on a more positive note - I've been reflecting on how far I've come. I actually kind of do stuff now. Aside from driving to work, being there all day (walking around quite a bit, which is good), and driving back, I also sorta have a social life again.

I made dinner with my mom for her birthday and then cuddled with J on her couch:

I went to a potluck and hung out all night with friends:

I met a brand new baby:

Aaaand in a few hours, J and I are headed to San Francisco! I'm a little nervous. My feet swell on planes a lot anyway, so I'm nervous that mine's gonna explode. Also, it's the first time I'm going through airport security after my ankle's been packed full o' metal, so that should be interesting. We're renting a car so I'm sure there won't be TOO much walking once we're there - but at the same time who doesn't wanna walk? I love walking. Blah.

In other news, I'm still doing pilates and yoga...my ankle is still tight as shit - my range of motion sucks and I still can't tell if it's getting any better. I want this hardware OUT LIKE YESTERDAY. I've started doing ankle ice baths which feel way better than all other ice options, but they're kind of a pain in the ass. 

So that's my update. I'll let you know how San Fran goes.

thank you god for pilates

Quitting physical therapy was the best decision I've ever made. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome at the beginning, but now that I'm up and walking and feeling more experimental, I really needed a more robust program. When you break your ankle it feels like the only thing that matters in your world is your ankle - but guess what? The rest of your body gets super fucked up too - and that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately PT is more solely focused on the injured body part (which, again, is GREAT for the beginning stages of healing).

So far in pilates I've discovered that my core has weakened tremendously (or maybe it was never strong?), my non-injured foot is SO TIGHT from compensating for the other side, I have some weird shoulder stuff going on from my crutches, etc etc. The movements and exercises we do are slight, but so powerful.

Above is Lavinia, my instructor and friend, in her magical studio of strength and sunshine. Obviously I'm happy to be there. If you live anywhere near the Portland area, I suggest you check her out. She took a video of me on the ankle roller strengthening thing - it's so much harder than it looks ohmygod.

new job, neglected foot

Hi guys!!

So I've started a new job - which in itself is awesome. I just finished my first week (yay!). How does my ankle/foot come into play?

• I wake up about 15 minutes earlier than I need to so I have time to stretch/massage it.
• It's about a 20-60 minute commute to work, depending on traffic. When it's smooth sailing on the highway my ankle is totally fine, but it's the stop and go - the back and forth between the brake and the gas - that really gets me. I basically have to pick up my whole foot each time, rather than just move my toes back and forth. 
• The building I work at is MASSIVE - the campus is even more massive. The hallways are multiple blocks long, and while I CAN walk them, it's tough. Each step is deliberate. Luckily haven't had to deal with many stairs because I work on the first floor - but even the walk from the parking lot to the building takes a while...
• ...luckily my doc gave me a handicap parking permit (it just came in the mail today), so that cuts down on major walking time for me. I feel a little weird/guilty about having it, but I also don't. 
• I have to wear sneakers...every day...do you know how hard it is to try and look business casual cute in sneakers?? HARD. 
• The second I come home I kick my shoes off (carefully), strap on an ice pack and elevate. Then I usually do a little yoga to stretch out the day.
• I'm currently trying to pick out an insurance plan (yay for corporate jobs!) that will make it easier for me to pay for my hardware-removal surgery next year - which is still something I'm trying not to think too much about (the removal surgery, not the insurance). 

So that's work. My poor foot that was once so diligently pampered is now kind of neglected. Luckily I get to work from home on Fridays so I have time to go to my new PT, which is Pilates with Lavinia Magliocco who's insanely awesome at what she does - I have high hopes for my recovery (even though it's still going slow. as. fuck.).