Friday morning I went in for my first post-op check-up. The doctor cut the splint thingy I was wearing off and checked things out. He said it looks really good in which case, I’d kind of hate to see what it would’ve looked like if it hadn’t been healing nicely. Dude, it was gnarly and I have to admit, part of me was disappointed I hadn’t brought my camera. I work with 6th and 7th grade boys – they would’ve loved to have seen this. My whole foot was all yellow and bruised. On the inner side of my ankle I just had a couple of staples but on the outer side I had 2 or 3 inches of staples and the batting the doctor took from there was, of course, completely soaked in blood. It was gross, but I couldn’t stop looking at it and yes, I kind of hope I come out of this with an awesome scar. I’m weird like that. Here’s what my post-op x-ray looks like:
On the side with the two screws I fractured that little part of the bone that juts down over the joint. On the other side I fractured the bone the plate is attached to. While I could do without the inability to use my left leg at all, it’s kind of cool.
The doctor removed the staples – just felt like a little pinch – and I got a good old-fashioned plaster cast put on for now. There are not words to describe how disappointed I am that I wasn’t allowed to choose a color. I guess that’s only for kids, but I had it all planned out. (Sabres blue and gold, of course.) Once I realized what the guy was doing though I was too embarrassed to ask for something else. I could probably put a dent in someone’s head with this thing it’s so solid, but it still manages to be lighter and less awkward than what I had on when I went in so that’s nice. I need to get up and around a little more though. By the time I got from the front of the hospital to the elevator to the orthopedics wing and back I was completely exhausted. I felt like I’d just run a freaking marathon. I’m still nervous about going outside – no exaggeration, the first spot I put a crutch on outside the front door of our building was a tiny ice patch and I totally freaked – but I suppose I could walk around the hallway or something until I’m feeling better about the out of doors.
Anyway, I go back in a month at which time we’ll saw this sucker off and take some x-rays. If everything still looks good I’ll get a boot that can be taken on and off – oh, to wash my foot again! – and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to start putting a little bit of weight on it. One can dream!
Overall my spirits are a little better. Not being so groggy has helped because it’s easier to get up and around the apartment. I’m trying to focus less on medical bills and lost wages and time and more on having time to read, watch movies, email, and maybe actually write something constructive. I mean, don’t I usually complain that I don’t have time to do that kind of thing?
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