Severed EHL Tendon: 6 Week Post-Op



6 weeks have gone by. I’m on my third cast. 3 casts thus far have assisted in inching my way to recovery, with a few small casualties along the way. I will begin my physiotherapy/rehabilitation next week. An aggressive schedule of 3-4 times a week for a full month and then tapering off to once or twice a week for the months that follow. My foot has zero functionality, just painful dead weight. My calf muscle is shrunken and grotesque. My right leg is half the size of my left leg. A visual that my family refuses to register.

My baby toe on my right foot (although fully functional prior) was squished rather forcefully in an awkward position for the 6 weeks that my was foot casted. In most of the photos it may be glimpsed as piggybacked with toe number 4. It will join in the rehabilitation process.

The skin on my foot and surrounding area is so sensitive and delicate. I have some numbness at the top of my foot. My ankle does not rotate yet, (this will come with therapy). The tendon is very taught and now, more than ever I must be vigilant not to exert or damage it.  I feel squeamish every time I look at it.

I’ve put together a 6 week collage of Zipperfoot thus far.

Some may be graphic.

Droopy Toe: Pre Surgery

 

Post Surgery Cast: 2 weeks





  

Dressed for the occasion



 

Quick breather before 2nd cast is put on.



Week 4 (Swollen and squishy toes)



  





Week 5 (swollen toes)



2nd Cast Removal (Week 6)





Zipperfoot




Muscle Density Loss on Right Leg.



Zipperfoot's New Home

Good Intentions

What I have recently discovered during my very short excursions outside my house is that there are people who are always willing to help out in any way they can.

 Earlier this week as I made my way to the main lobby of our condo, I was confronted with a situation; the double door exit.  I have to push open one heavy glass door, which brings me to a small vestibule, only to have to repeat the process with another glass door to actually exit the foyer. I struggled and giggled and sweat my way through the first door, dropping a crutch, then recovering from a cartoonish arm waving loss of balance. I approach the second door and notice someone is approaching from the other side; I was already in the midst of attempting to open the second door. A young lady took it upon herself to offer me assistance by opening the door herself, however she really didn’t think it through. (I already had my hand strategically wrapped on the door handle while delicately balancing crutches and Zipperfoot to avoid mishap.) She quickly pulled open the door from her end, causing me to lose balance and careen into her; generously infringing on the personal space of a perfect stranger. My first reaction was to give her a piece of my mind at her obvious lack of foresight. However I refrained, how was she to know what the outcome would be?  She had good intentions.

On one of my Las Vegas trips a few years back I was caught in a similar situation. I was floating upwards on a mammoth 2 story escalator at one of the hotels on the Strip. Behind me was a cute elderly couple pleasantly chatting. We were literally steps from the top, when the gentleman lost his balance and began to tumble down the escalator. I quickly (taking the remaining steps 2 at a time) jetted to the top and slammed on the emergency stop.  I hurried down; by this point he had tumbled excruciatingly half way down the escalator. It was awful. His arms were skinned and he was moaning with pain. As I proceeded to assist him (with the aid of his wife), he became irate with me. He was verbally attacking me because he was halfway down a stopped escalator with no way to walk up. I was dumbfounded; I thought I was helping him by stopping the escalator; potentially saving him from a more severe injury. He viewed it as a terrible journey he was going to have to make up hill on his own without the mechanical aid of the escalator.  I actually sheepishly climbed the remainder of the escalator upwards away from him and his irate state, and did what I could only do at this point- call security. 

Any lesson I’ve learned from being on both sides of the equation; ask before you offer assistance.  If the person refuses- walk away and don’t feel any type of penitence. Sometimes pride and conscience from either side can get in the way of better judgement.

 Accepting or giving assistance graciously can sometimes be harder than anyone would like to admit.

Hanging Out

I have mentioned before what a wonderful circle of friends I have; and I’ll say it again. I have a wonderful circle of friends.

Last night I was privy to being shuttled to a dear friend’s house for a convergence of the neighbourhood mama’s.  The five of us were comforted by our gracious hostess with wine and a small banquet of delicacies.  Of course I was nervous at being seen so broken and weak, but that quickly wore off as soon as we settled. It was a “put your big girl panties on, and get over it” ambience. I loved it. What’s done is done, learn and move forward.

We conversed and light heartily debated about Vespas, the coastline of France, our responsibility as parents to our children, Ducati motorcycles, the Montessori education system and on and on..

There is nothing more beguiling than taking a page out of real life and dissecting it amongst five vast and educated opinions, throw in some shit talk and it was perfection! As I looked around the room I saw such an array of diversity and accomplishment. Each of these women is confidently grounded and intimately powerful in her own way. A no nonsense crew who is willing to step up to the plate and grasp the task at hand.

Any one of the women can command a battalion at a moment’s notice with hair and wardrobe intact.

Un toast de célébration aux femmes qui peuvent faire une différence.

Bons Amis, bonne vie!

Severed EHL Tendon- 5 Week Post-Op

I have an appointment with my Orthopaedic Specialist next week. I have placed a couple of inquiring calls over the last few days, desperate for information on what is coming up in the next few weeks.

 I am going to transition to another type of cast in the next week or so.  I’m hoping that the Aircast is the next step for Zipperfoot. The last week has been a mixture of small victories and setbacks once again. As part of the process I was attempting small steps with full pressure on my right (casted) foot.  I realize at this time that the setting of the cast may be slightly off by a few degrees; as suspected by the Orthopaedic Technician weeks ago, thus causing the weird clicking and pain in my ankle. Needless to say my foot continuously swells at any and all attempts of downward pressure.

I notice that my big toe has dropped slightly from its original upward dorsiflexed position, which is excellent progress. It means that the EHL Tendon is gently and naturally stretching out as it should. I have to be ever so cautious not to knick it and continue to keep it protected as much as possible.

Now I have an acute understanding why the original recuperation prognosis was to be immobile for 6-8 weeks. The inability for it to heal properly is much greater as pressure on the foot is applied. A good amount of healing time is required post surgery in the surrounding area of the damaged tissue and tendon.  The probability of re-injury would substantially increase with any type of walking motion, since the toes are primarily used to push off when taking a step.

My original sutures are still in and they should have fully dissolved at this point, with possibly just the ends being plucked out upon the removal of the cast. I can feel them tingling once in a while like there are pins and needles in the cast.

Catching Up Rant

I guess this will be one of the blogs in which I rant. No particular subject and no offense. Here it goes…

LFL: So here we are, Toronto with its own team in the LFL. At first I was taken aback (being somewhat a feminist and believe in empowering females), but then it all made sense. It’s all part of the de-masculinization of man. We won’t require Feminism as a club or a group. The guys have handed us empowerment on a silver platter. Oh sure we have to strut around in our skivvies and do a bit of hair whipping, but the circle is almost complete. The faces in the crowd at these events say it all. Jaw dropping wonderlust. Salivating crowds of men gathered to catch a glimpse and maybe touch their heroine athlete...The male bollocks are in the jar on the shelf, now go get me a beer and lets watch Chocolat… Touchdown!!!

Facebook: Love it, Hate it. Please; why do people Facebook other people they don’t even know just for the sake of increasing their friend numbers?? Seriously? Does loneliness have something to do with it? They can’t really be friends with all those people… makes one heck of a Christmas card list.

Zipperfoot: My toes look waxy and my foot is swollen and sore. My ankle is clicking inside my cast. I need to order my Air Cast soon.  I want to paint my toe nails. I’ve got cabin fever.

Maid Service:  I had hired a cleaning lady to help around the house; a one-time clean type of deal. Site says; professional and thorough services. I got (what looked like) an ex meth addict who spent some time talking to me about her hamster. Cleaned my whole condo with a container of Lysol disinfecting wipes. There are streaks everywhere. Birds got to fly, fish got to swim and woman’s got to eat; I guess.

Why I keep moving forward: My son came up to me, kissed me and said that I was beautiful.

WTFC

Today my fall soccer season resumes at Lamport Stadium. I (obviously) will not be playing. My cleats and uniform cleaned and neatly put away until…maybe next year? My team had inquired if I was able to sit and cheer from the sidelines on their first game. Maybe do some sideline coaching as opposed to me screaming orders from the field as they’re accustomed to. Our team is co-ed and on the field as far as we’re concerned, gender plays no part. (Remember I had my jaw dislocated early this summer by an opponent; let’s call him Rooney!) 

 Amongst our team there’s a bit of screaming and flippant attitude, however our differences would always be settled with a pint (or two) after the game!!  We’re a mixture of ex-soccer players, potpourri jocks and newbies.

 I was totally excited at the prospect of attending the game until I realized that the theatrics of getting on to the field would most likely take away from the joy of actually being there.(Also I’m a bit shy in regards to my condition; they’re used to seeing a serious soccer chick, not a mousy and whiny woman).  I respect their joy; I don’t want them to feel bad for me.

I’ll wait a couple of more weeks and then do my cheering and hollering on the sidelines appropriately, by standing on my two feet!

Fingers Crossed.

Girl Power

It was girls night IN last night! A gaggle of my true blue gals came by with Ale and Spirits. BFF’s after my own heart!  I’ve been alcohol free for weeks and weeks now; quite the detoxification for me. I’ve definitely downgraded to lightweight, which is ok for now, just keep the Gewurztraminer flowing, I’ll catch up..

So good when it hits the lips….              

Today, my other true blue Gal came by with Java, Sweets and a swag bag from TIFF. Spoiled!

Total Respect….