Severed EHL Tendon- Goodbye 2011!

On the road to recovery?

It's almost the end of the Year 2011. What have I done?

I'd say as an adult this has been; bar none one of the most challenging years in my life. From the get go on January 1st, 2011 it's been challenge after challenge. Each day, week and month had a new set of horrors present itself over and over to me, testing my abilities emotionally, mentally and physically. Yes severing my EHL Tendon was a big slap in the face. It shook me into a different dimension. It pinned me down and held me there until just the right time, and then it released me. I am different now. Everything tastes, smells and looks different. I want to say I have served my time. I want to say that one person can only take so much. Really though in the grand scheme of things I continue to give thanks that I am surrounded by beautiful and loving friends and family. That no matter how the going gets tough, the tough will still get going.

I've rekindled an all but dead relationship with my parents, I have accepted that although we won't always see eye to eye, they are good people with good intentions. Age doesn't always bring wisdom, experience does. Family and firm true friendships are the keys to happiness. It always was and always will be. No one is perfect, we all have to work at our relationships, and we are all dynamic and different. We’re not meant to be the same. Our injuries may be similar, but how we deal with the experiences can be worlds apart.

As I reflect on my ever present gregarious nature, I'm stricken silly that my injuries have brought out some of the best attributes in my friendships and relationships with people. I definitely know who will be in my corner for the long haul. I have connected on a different level with certain people; my eyes are wide open now more than ever before.

So all I’m asking for in the Year 2012 is to keep on this new journey--the one that opens the doors to all the magnificent new friendships and that still has a stronghold on the old ones. Oh yeah and that Zipperfoot has inadvertently set a new cornerstone in my life.

Happy Holidays to all. May you find love and joy in even the smallest things.

EHL Severed Tendon and Acupuncture.

Acupuncture was the next venture into my rehabilitation campaign. I didn't have a shred of knowledge on the subject of acupuncture. No one in my inner circle had ever required that type of alternative medicine.  I knew it had something to do with really fine needles being inserted into specific pressure points of the body. The thought gave me anxiety.. I mean all those needles pushed into my body. Unthinkable.

I wanted to go in blind; I didn't want to know about side effects or risks. I was going to take a chance, go out on a limb, and go all the way with no reservations. I was introduced to the Acupuncturist, Keith who has a gentle nature and is well educated as a Physiotherapist. He prefers the holistic alternative like acupuncture as a means to rehabilitate. A belief that the points of energy reached during the process acts both as a pain reliever and stimulator of joint and tissue.

The way Acupuncture works: It’s an understanding that the neurophysiologic pain relief mechanisms (eg. Endorphins) are stimulated and will assist the body in strengthening the immune system; it decreases muscle and tissue tightness and can increase joint flexibility. Originating in the Orient (however there is a dispute that it actually originated in Central Europe) the traditional understanding is that the body is divided into 12 energy channels (or meridians) that run vertically within the body. If any of these channels are affected by illness or injury the energy flow is interrupted, the belief that acupuncture (shallow needling or deep needling) into the specific channel will stimulate energy flow and healing back into the body.

As the small hair like needles pierced my skin (they are in a fine sterile tube which is slightly shorter than the needles themselves- they are positioned over the desired area and tapped into place- shallow needling in my case), there was a slight prickly sensation. He put them in various points of my foot and calf. We started with about 6 needles in our first session. I tried shifting my leg while the needles were inserted. Those little suckers were wielding quite a power beneath the surface and were almost paralyzing upon any movement. I felt an awkward pain in each of the points where the needles lay. Keith advised that being still would enhance their healing effects. Best not to move around or it will hurt!  I was left to relax on my own (more like a Zen type of relaxation) for about 15 mins.

Removing them was effortless (a few spots of blood from the top of my foot area). There was some slight bruising the next day, and a bit of soreness in the areas punctured, which I’m told is normal.

I’ve done quite a few sessions now, tackling different areas of my foot to stimulate the tissue around the scar. I have to say that I am a believer. The numbness at the top of my foot has subsided and I am actually feeling a bit of sensation now.

By no means is my Zipperfoot fully mobile at this point, but we’re still working on it one day at a time.

 

Acu: Week 1


Acu: Week 2





Acupuncture

The tendon is still tight along the Hallux to the ankle.

EHL Tendon Rehab

Trying to always be optimistic.

The Orthopaedic Specialist said I still have a good 3 months until I can consider calling my Zipperfoot normal.  I've made tremendous progress, however as I sit here 2 months into my physiotherapy (which I'm still scheduled for at least 3 times a week), I suddenly have a terrible sinking feeling that my tendon is not stretching out as originally intended. I see it on Jake’s (Physio guy)face. He pleasantly consoles me and reminds me that this will be a bit of a long haul. It’s such a rare injury---to compare it to any other rehab is just not feasible. I understand there is much more progress to be made; I just can't help but feel a small sense of loss every time I look down at my foot.
It has been almost 4 months since my surgery.

A quick pep talk from my physiotherapist and we’re planning to change direction. Acupuncture is next on the list. We’re hoping this will help stretch out and stimulate the EHL Tendon a little more.

It’s so overwhelming to come this far, just to find out that the journey is far from over.
I want to wake up in the morning and walk to the throne effortlessly without having to massage my leg awake, do a warm up or use the walls to guide me upright.

I'm tired of being at physio working on the same gruesome and painful stretches that leave me slightly debilitated every time.

I'm tired of having to explain over and over why I'm still slightly limping and how it happened.

I'm tired of refusing party invites; for fear of some drunken jackass stepping onto my Zipperfoot.

I'm tired of trying to explain to my employer that trekking out to work into the downtown core in prime Christmas shopping season is not at the top of my list to do.

My drama queen is definitely coming out in full force.

I went shoe shopping last week. I wanted to purchase a pair of shoes that I can wear in a versatile manner, more than my Nike’s or Converse sneakers. I purchased a buttery leather pair of (cow hide) loafers that are soft, yet supportive. It’s like they came down from cow heaven just for me.  I’m grateful that I can wear these with just about any attire. They are by no means the saucy tall heels I would be accustomed to, but definitely a sweet alternative.

I also toyed with a few pair of winter boots from my collection. The snow will be here shortly, I want to be prepared. Canadian Winters can be mean spirited (no offense to Mother Nature). Wearing my running shoes to traipse around in the snow and ice for my glamo trips to physio or the occasional family outing is not going to cut it.

I’ll just grin and bear it. Movin’ on…

Severed EHL Tendon-3 months Post-Op

I put a shoe on my right foot for the first time yesterday. It was painful and extremely uncomfortable; however I wanted to advance into the next stage- wearing a left and a right shoe. I will still wear my Aircast when necessary. It’s my go to accessory now, my comfort, my protector; I don’t feel right without it.

As I venture out a bit more these days into the big wild world, I fear that someone will inadvertently step onto my foot. It’s blind now you see; it will be forever infracted and offended no matter where it goes or what it is doing. For example, I’m already experiencing the delights of household folly-- dropping things like lotion bottles, spoons, books, cellphones, remotes etc. pretty close to Zipperfoot. It’s bound to make contact; I have to be ready for it. Fate, just please- give me a bit more time. I shudder to think what the impact would be; nothing life threatening (what a drama queen!) I suppose.  I’m sure as long as there is no blade at the end of the handle; I’ll be fine…ahem.

As far as physiotherapy goes, still neck deep in it. It’s been 7 weeks , 3 times a week. We have been faithfully working on stretching out that stubborn tendon. I had asked the Specialist last week if he had tightened it a bit too much. I noticed today that the top of my foot is quite bruised, mostly likely the combination of wearing a shoe and the aggressive work on the tendon yesterday.

I can press my toe into the floor with a bit more strength now; it still won’t voluntarily wiggle unless I give it a bit of a boost.  My gait has improved and I’m really working on trying to reduce the limp, which subsequently is more evident because of the fear of bending my toe.

My Nike running shoe seems to keep my foot snuggly in place. It’s very tight to get on and off, but it’s nice to finally wear a matching set of shoes.  My physiotherapist asked me how I felt about wearing Orthopaedic shoes, I found this truly funny… really.

Remembrance

If you have the opportunity, thank a veteran for his courage. Not just today but every day.

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." -G.K. Chesterton

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." -Jose Narosky

There is but one veteran left alive in my family at home in the Mediterranean, thanks Uncle Manuel for holding the fort.

Peace

2 pics from Malta's history. The Mosta Church's undetonated bomb that pierced the roof while 300+ worshippers were inside.



Mosta Church's Dome Ceiling



The Bomb Squad

Occupy

 

I rarely watch the news, it's repetitive and boring. I have seen the same news update about some vandals defacing a statue at a school for the past 4 days.

 

One story that continues to attract attention is the Occupy Movement. It's directed at the social and economic inequality that is evident on our planet through widespread corporate greed and monopolization of business and technology.

 

It has been going on for weeks now in Toronto (and globally). There are legitimate protesters that truly want to make a difference to streamline more social consciousness and incur more fiscal responsibility of the Democratic nations. A tent city is set up in Toronto's down town core. They have kept it fairly clean and neat, but now the city feels it's time for these people to march on and out.

 

 In my youth I was always in it for the underdog, I spent some time unemployed because I did not want to conform to society's social and political standards. I quickly realized that strutting around in Doc Martens, jobless and angry was not going to help anyone least of all myself. The best way to have your voice heard is from within the environment. I gained employment at a Financial Firm, where I learned that although it is always about the bottom line, I can invest my time into the global machine and have my voice heard in a proper forum. I have a more ample opportunity to make that change for equality starting within the hub.

 

Watching some of the interviews the media has conducted with some of the protesters, I'm quickly inclined to believe that they do not really know why they are protesting or what they are actually talking about. Protest for the sake of protesting. I can't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment for them as they mumble and fumble their way through their explanations and beliefs staring out into space trying to deduce something tangible. My questions to them: Do they have a passport? Have they ever actually visited, lets say the Middle East or a Communist country? No matter where you go, people want to work, to provide for their families. They will work for an offshore oil refining company or a mining company that is stripping their resources if that's where the works at. They are bringing bread home. Do they want these big fat corporations to pull out of their backyard and cut the life line. Hell No!

 

Is the visual of seeing corporate people who are doing their jobs and contributing to society that much of a disturbance?  I believe in human rights. People have the right to work and provide for their families. People also have the right to protest for what they believe in, if they really believe in it and understand it.

 

I would be more convinced of their cause if it were hoards of ex-Bay St analysts dishing on the goings on of the secret behind closed door handshakes. The world is going through a financial meltdown. These kids are preaching to the choir.

 

Yet...

 

Food for thought: Kim Kardashian spent $20mm on a wedding that lasted 72 days- someone worked that out to $277,777 dollars a day. Rapper 50 Cent made $10mm dollars on a penny stock that he had dibs on through a tweet to his fans.

 

How much equality could that have bought?                                             It's all about perspective.

 

Back to the Grind

Returning to work this week.

I will be working from home for the time being until I can make the commute into the downtown core via “my own car”. I made a call to one of my colleagues at the office, we quickly played catch up on the in’s and out’s of office life.

Ms. C, Bunny, Allpan, Buck and the New Guy are members of my team; I’m known as Cozie. Of course we reside under these aliases in order to make our sometimes very technical, analytical environment more bearable. We also have special names for the other powers that be, but we keep those on the down low.

Our first order of business was to discuss the team luncheon in December. My presence is definitely required for some schmoozing and an official catch up.  I have hundreds and hundreds of e-mails to plow through over the next few days -and most likely have to deal with in some way.  I’m sure my assignments/projects will start pouring in shortly, so I will contain my excitement until the end of the week.

 It’s good to be back! Sort of..