Weight-bearing Blues

Yesterday I was allowed to start weight-bearing.  For some reason I had it in my mind that I could put full weight down and at least walk across the room.  Imagine my surprise when this wasn't the case.  You may as well have pulled a bag over my head, tied my hands behind my back, spun me around, and thrown me in a rubber room.  Not completely sure what I was thinking; however, this cloud of dependency is the pittiest of pits -- pit in terms of a deep, dark hole, as opposed to pity.  This experience has been humbling to say the least.  Having to ask for help, well, let's just say that I am not very good at it.  But this not being able to endure the pain, well, just makes me feel weak.  

Word to the not-so-wise and the wise, make sure to plan outings.  Right after scheduling my surgery, my friends emailed me that Jackson Browne was coming to town.  So after getting the ok from Dr. Nick, I purchased a ticket. My two concert peeps took great care of me, as did many strangers who held open doors (bathroom doors are not so easy) and we did a night on the town.  A couple of gin and tonics and some really great music (I refrained from shouting out Neil Young songs) and I can now admit that I've clawed my way out of yet another pit of depression.  Not so easy when I usually go for a run to keep me emotionally healthy.  Another reason I am indulging myself with a blog.

So today has been a better day.  I find myself today sitting on my front porch watching the traffic go by, listening in to walkers' phone conversations -not my fault.  I hear them coming like a shod runner pounding the pavement.  Literally.  My front porch has been a revolving door of visitors.  Of course my parents have been here. Then my friend Joan, who just returned from Austria after 3 plus weeks, stopped by to chat.  Next came Adele and John with babycakes, Ainsley.  They just returned from Monaco and Rome.  It's great to have the world travellers back and on my front porch.  I simply love small town living.   So I will end here, on a good note.  Until next time....I will update after my first PT session.  

Post-op Appointment

I just realized I didn't post about my post-op appointment.  So I will do two separate postings.

My post-op visit went well.  You know, I finally feel like I have a doctor that gets it.  I know I've said this before, but finding a doctor who runs-- not a hobby jogger-- is huge for me.  Dr Nick is optimistic without the sugar-coating and genuinely likes running.  And of course he is competent, but.  So the stitches came out.  I didn't watch as I am a big, fat scaredy-pants.  All looks good -- actually here is a picture 12 days out.

Some bruising on the other side, but when you see the surgery photos, you'll say "but of course..."

 Then Dr. Nick showed me pictures of surgery.  I'm a middle school teacher for a reason; however, these really aren't all that gory.  But you have been warned.

 Instrument on the left is holding back the Achilles tendon.  I was lucky that Dr. Nick did not have to detach any of the Achilles tendon.

Bone and irritated (and irritating) bursa sac removed.  Look at all that room!

Bone and bursa sac.  Seriously, I can't believe I put up with that for 5 years.  It's like a pebble..no, a rock, in your shoe that you can't take out, and it just rubs...and rubs.. and rubs...

So I need to find a PT (ugh!) and I can start weight-bearing on Friday (yesterday)!!

Post Surgery

Ten days post surgery and I am doing well!  Tomorrow is my post surgery appointment.  Due to the 2-hour drive, Dr. N put me in a wrapped cast so that I wouldn't have to make a trip the normal 3 days after surgery.  This has worked for me as I have experienced to pain.  This is due to the nerve block I had prior to surgery.  If you've never experienced that before it's like a large novocain shot to the back of your knee.  I was unprepared mentally for the inability to move or feel my toes for 24 hours after surgery. I spent 3 full days on Vicodin before deciding that I didn't really need it.  Like I said, it works for me and I was more than happy to be off of any meds.  I spent first 3 days sleeping on a mattress downstairs as any type of stair felt like Mt. Everest-- daunting to say the least.

Anyway, below are before and after pictures of the surgery.  I think the after looks pretty sexy.

Tomorrow I have my follow-up appointment.  My expectations are 2: 1) the big, fat, ugly boot with a bit of weight-bearing, and 2) the ability to take a shower without a plastic bag over my foot.  I may actually cry if either one of those doesn't happen.

Other than that, I have been overly dependent on my family-- they are awesome and rock my world--and my girlfriends-- those who have taken care of me, texted me from across the Atlantic, or simply organized a ride so that I could get the hell out of the house (while my husband was on a 60 mile bike ride). I might add that I have wonderful graffiti on my cast and my toes....

Not sure how I forgot to mention that we made Haurache sandals.

My pre-op appointment went well (other than to extreme downpour on the 2-hour drive up).  Prognosis (best-case scenario) is that the Achilles will not need to be detached to get tot he haglund's.  I will be in a cast for 10 days to eliminate the extra drive up 3 days after surgery.  I'm certainly thankful for  my family helping out with kids, and my girlfriends who are covering the few days my husband will be out of town.  This will be a journey to say the least; hopefully, the grand finale to the journey.

Update on the Kayla 5K.  I did indeed run it last weekend.  My 9 (almost 10) year old daughter took off at an 8:35 first mile.  I honestly didn't think I still had it in me.  She finished at 30 minutes, with lots (and lots) of encouragement from me.  My 8-year son, who ran with his dad, finished in 29.30 or so.  A proud moment when they both received a trophy for their run.  At least two of the four of us placed.  Haven't run since, but hopeful that I can get a short one in today before surgery.  I am at the 2 days and counting.

Just an update to my running.  Early May, well May 4th, I had what I thought was a decent run.  However, the "day after syndrome" smacked me in the face-- or should I say Achilles?  After running 2 miles in 27 minutes (yeah, right?) I could barely walk the next day.  It seems there is no rhyme or reason to when the pain hits.  I cycled 25 miles the next day and things seemed to loosen up a bit.  I took the next three days off.  Then I started up again.  I ran in my sexy, pink Treksport Fivefingers.  I ran two days that week: a 2-miler and a 2.75-miler.  The next week, I ran 3 times, my 3rd run increased to 3 miles.  My next day syndrome hasn't really been a major issue since.  I'm not saying that I am good-to-go-no-pain.  If anything I am running slower (hence no pace time) but I can get in a little more mileage.  Just thought I'd share that. Oh and one more thing.  I am not great at being a consistent strength trainer; however, I have recommenced the free weights- quads and hamstrings and arms.  I've also included glut exercises.  Found these on naturalrunningcenter.com if you aren't familiar with that site.

I have 2 weeks from yesterday until surgery.  My hope is to continue to hang on, not gain much more weight, and running the "last" Kayla 5K (on the road a week from today) since I have run every Kayla 5K since inception-  about 1/2 pushing a babyjogger of up to 100+ pounds, I think was my last calculation.  That was before finally giving it up about 3 years ago.