Here are just a few of the emails I mentioned - some are complete, some are just snippets of longer ones:
Broken ankle person #1:
I had ankle surgery 6 weeks and 2 days ago on my lower fibula (one metal plate and five screws) after falling while penny skateboarding. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience and being so honest (including the challenges of peeing post-op). Living in a college dorm with no elevator really sucks, but reading your posts helps me realize I'm not alone. I relate to every one of your posts, and find hope when I want to break down and cry like a baby because my friends want to go do something fun and can't understand why I don't "want" to go. Truly, only people who have been on crutches understand the daily struggles (and perhaps our boyfriends who have been there every step of the way). Good luck with your ankle and I look forward to reading more about the rest of your recovery!Broken ankle person #2:
I broke my tibia down by the ankle and did not have surgery...its been 8 weeks.I have no pain anymore unless I massage my foot deeply, the dr said I can put weight on the foot w the boot on...actually inside I am walking w crutches and no boot, just w socks on....still no pain. I even tried one crutch only and no boot today and it was slow going but fine/no pain
I am swollen still and very stiff....but I think I am doing well considering I did not have the surgery. Did you go to rehab??? Or did you do all your rehab at home? Watching your video made me feel so not alone...the crutches are whats driving me crazy...
Broken ankle person #3:
Thanks so much for your blog. I'm approaching three weeks post surgery on a fracture of both bones in my leg just above my ankle and I'm reading anything I can to stay anywhere near centered about what this is like. I normally travel a lot for work so I'm used to new places and new people and new things ALL THE TIME. Now I'm non weight bearing for six weeks, then working back to walking after that and it's rough. The narcotics and bowels, check. Sleeping in unnatural positions, check. Altering my diet because I'm a sloth now, check. Me, the big strong man breaking into tears of depression because I hadn't left the house in more than a week, check. At least with your story I know I'm something closer to normal than I feel. Total? Three fractures, two plates, 15 screws and two surgical incisions. The bright side is that I actually can work from home...Broken ankle person #4:
Mother-fING shittiest injury of ALL TIME.
Your blog: I laugh, I cringe, I laugh some more.
Substitute
your J for my two young children and their Dad...and the rest is
exactly the same. One exception, I believe I went off on an indignant
verbal tirade on the nurses after my surgery while I was still under
anesthesia that probably was not actually working between my brain and
body.
Two children with heads like great big melons doesn't compare to the misery of the broken ankle.
Hi Mihal,
ReplyDeleteIt's good to read other people's experiences so when you're going through something like this you don't feel quite so alone.
It is now 13 weeks post op for me. I am heading to the hospital this afternoon to have my walking boot removed (for good I hope! I hate it so much!). I have been walking quite well with the walking boot but of course feeling a slight pain in the ankle. Once I have moved / exercised the ankle a little bit I find walking to be less painful. I am also able to walk barefoot around the house using one crutch - my physio tells me it should hopefully take 1-2 weeks to regain my confidence to move around without it. The biggest set back for my ankle recovery has been my pregnancy - I am now 38 weeks pregnant (in the midst of a hot summer here in Australia as well!) & am hopeful that once my baby is born, with the extra weight (and risk factors) gone, my recovery will be much better. I am just truly thankful that I have regained some mobility before the birth of my baby as I was growing quite concerned I would still be immobile when he was born - something which had been upsetting me quite a lot but also gave me the determination to push myself.
Wishing you all the best for your continued recovery, and also for Christmas & the New Year & I look forward to reading more of your blog as you update it.
Best wishes from Australia,
Lisa x
It's wise you've kept tabs on your condition this way. It helps in letting you identify the flaws and the worries, so that you'll know what to work with and where to start. We'll be with you on your crusade for recovery.
ReplyDeleteKristal Byrnes
I can feel you. Within the first few days of your confinement, it's normal to want to try and break the rules. You'll feel the urgency to go out of the room and return to your normal activities. Until you realize that it’s not a good idea as it will only prolong your agony and recovery time.
ReplyDeleteTim @a1ability.com