5 years 2 months - Twisted my ankle...

Sunday - November 5, 2017

I forgot to write about this a few weeks ago. I don't quite know how I hurt my ankle, but I noticed for a few days I was not able to put weight on it. I noticed a tiny pinching feeling and buckling randomly a few times. 

I finally did it in when playing ping pong at work and stepped down and my ankle twisted in a weird twisting position. That night, I could not put weight on my ankle. It kept pinching and buckling. I almost needed my crutch. When lifting the foot up to stretch, I get this sharp pain. For about a week I wore my ankle brace which helped a bit. I also stopped working out to get some rest. Good thing I had a doctors appointment coming up for a general check up and by then I was feeling better by the day. It was not a fun two weeks. 

I had a bit of discomfort sleeping for a day or two. Elevated it for a few nights while sleeping helped. I just had to be careful with bearing weight on it and walking less. I finally got better and back to my old self. I need to be more careful. 

5 years 1 month - Toe cramp, muscle spasms, and other weird cramps

Thursday - October 5, 2017

I just got a toe cramp! I'm noticing now that I have more frequent random cramps then I did before breaking my ankle. Last time, I had a weird cramp around the bottom of my ankle and surgery site. Then I notice random muscle spasms on my right lower leg. I have even spasmed myself awake a few times! I still have my plate with 9 screws in there, 5 years in. I now wonder about my circulation... 

Anyone out there, has this happened to you?  

5 Years Ankleversary!

Sunday - September 24, 2017

Happy 5 years Ankleversary to me! 

I can't believe another year just flew by. I've progressed and met a few more milestones this year! I'm still bionic with a plate and 9 nails, retired from wearing 3 inch stilettos (but I can wear 3 inch wedged shoes!), and my scar is still 3.5 inches long. 

For the first time in years, this was the year I was finally comfortable enough to sleep on this ankle. Full ankle against the bed! This was something I've waited for a very long time! I've always felt sensitive before and it took this long for me to finally get use to laying my ankle onto a surface with weight! However, some boots that cover up to my ankle still bother me if it is too tight. Even shows with ankle straps bother me if it's too tight so I avoid them completely unless the straps are under my ankle. Just nothing on it feels good. So yes, I am still sad about retiring from snowboarding. I just can't do it. 

While I also miss running, I've completely retired from that as well. It was too much to run. Before my accident, I use to run about 4 times a week. I miss it so much! Now I'm adjusting to getting older and the weight gain because my activity level isn't as active as I was before with all that running. However, I have increased my gym visits. I do take a lot of classes. Twice a week Cycling, Zumba, Body Combat, and the Elliptical machine on days I don't have a class. The best class for my ankle is Cycling. Sometimes ankle does get tired from all the jumps and steps from Zumba and Body Combat. 

I finally bought a Fitbit this year to encourage myself to walk more. I did over 12K steps today! It's always a battle with my friends so it's definitely a motivator. I'm just cautious about getting older and wanting to build a stronger ankle. So I've been walking more. Walking to work, hiking, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

                  

Once in a while when I walk a bit too long or carry things that are too heavy, I do feel pressure in my ankle. I'll walk and randomly feel a tiny pinch or my ankle just buckles in a quick spasm like pain. It's weird. But the most important part is trying to stay healthy and working out when I can to make my ankle stronger. I can wear 2 inch heels but nothing higher. However, I can wear wedges if I want more height. That extra support really does help me feel confident in walking safely. I'm excited for this new year to see what new things I'll try. Updates to come! The cold and rainy days are near. I'm curious to find out how my arthritis will feel. Winter is coming! I also can't wait to watch Game of Thrones haha!

4 years 9 months - Back from my Asia vacation and didn't get cankles this time!

Monday - June 12, 2017

I'm back from my 2 weeks Asia vacation! Went to Hong Kong, Macau, Tokyo Japan, Osaka, Kyoto, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay! Walked over 10+ hrs a few days and no swelling in the ankle!

I bought these new Nike Air Max Motion shoes just for the trip. Last year, I had a pretty flat running shoe bottom. It was no good, no support for walking many hours. This year, I was thinking what if I got something with an air bubble. It's gotta give me some support and extra cusion. Even the inner shoe pads had a ribbed cushion. Most comfortable shoes I've purchased so far! They lasted all day for me and I loved it! No cankles, no pain! I was a happy traveler! I'm now looking at investing in an entire air bubble bottom shoe haha. 

4 years 7 months - Walked in snow!

Saturday - April 1, 2017

2 weeks ago, my friends and I went to South Lake Tahoe just to get away for the weekend. We took a walk down Spooner Lake. It's completely froze over! It would've been a good idea to wear some snow shoes. My friends and I were sinking in up to our knees! I felt a tiny pinch in my ankle because it was cold. Nothing uncomfortable though. A few times I stepped in a bit angled and it bothered my ankle a bit but no pain. I can walk in snow!

On our way home we had to get some tires. The storm came in last night and the streets had snow going up to our calves! I'm enjoying this walk in the snow!

4 years 5 months - Surgery Scar

Sunday - February 19, 2017

Noticing my scar is smoothing out. The part upper part had this weird dark patchy area. It usually itches there. Also at the very bottom point of the scar, the collagen builds up and it gets itchy when I walk to much. Today, the scar looks much better and more blended in. I haven't used any scar cream to get rid of it either. It gets better every year!

                                      Last Year                                                 Today

4 years 4 months - Took my first Full Body Barry's Bootcamp that involved running on a treadmill!

Saturday - January 21, 2017

Happy New Year!

It's the new year and you know how it goes, working out to get rid of the holiday pounds for the new year resolution. Way to start off this new year!

I took my first Full Body Barry's Bootcamp that involved running on a treadmill! 2 sets of treadmill workout that equals to about 25-30 minutes of running. Here's the full information:

25-30 minutes of cardiovascular treadmill intervals and 25-30 minutes of strength training utilizing weights, resistance bands, medicine balls and other equipment to target a variety of different muscle groups followed by a short stretch and cool down.

I got there nervous. I wasn't sure if I was able to make the entire run. I haven't ran in months! When it came to the treadmill session, the first session started at a Level 4 Speed and some incline to a Level 3 to begin. I was able to do the minimum and went up to the most at Level 5.5 Speed and at max incline at Level 4. I stuck with it and was able to run without issues! After the second session, I was getting tired. I didn't push myself too hard just in case of reinjuring and worried about the pressure I was putting on it. I loved the treadmill though, it was so bouncy and supportive, not like the other gyms I've been to.

Here's what it looked like inside. I loved their treadmill! The tread was made of actual tire like treads. I felt comfortable and not in pain at all when running! However, my ankle did feel tired. Great start to this new year!