Day 11 - My surgical incision is fully healed!

Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 - Week 9

Yay! My scab on the surgical incision area fell off in the shower! My incision is healed! I'm sooo happy! My scar measures about 3.5 inches. I still have a little bit of a rash on my leg from the dead skin that peeled off and waiting for that to go away. Still some discoloration too. The top of my foot arch is still stiff and I'm massaging it everyday and continue to do my ankle exercises. Next goal is to get rid of crutches!

Cast Removal Day!

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012 - Week 8

I have never been more excited! The cast comes off today! I can't believe it has been about 2 months in this thing!

I finally arrive at Dr. Lundy's office at 8:30am. It was a short wait and never been more ready to get this cast off of me. Dr. Lundy comes in and so we start. He explained the saw would not hurt the skin because it moves back and forth to cut. He makes an incision to the left and another to the right and a clamp to remove the cast! It's really coming off! Goodbye to the sweet and kind art on my cast from my friends!

Freedom! It feels so good to have air against my leg. It feels stiff from being restricted in a cast for so long. It's gotten so small, hairy, dark, and so dry and scabby.  Surprisingly it doesn't smell.

Embrace yourself for the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmr86WRBFT4

On the other side of my ankle was where the torn ligaments are from my dislocated ankle. Dr. Lundy planned on opening up to reconnect my ligaments but didn't have to. He said he would know what to do once he opens me up to see what's happening. Xrays also show that I didn't need any work done. So he left it alone to heal on its own. Phew!

Next thing is the removal of my dressing. There is a lot of dead skin and scabs around the area. I was ready to see my surgical incision. I was also very nervous at the same time. At this point, my ankle has been twitching randomly. I guess it's because it's not being supported anymore and the muscles have some movement again.

I'm sorry for the gross image. When Dr. Lundy removed the dressing, a bit of it stuck to my surgical incision and made it bleed just a bit. As you can see, my skin is really raw and sensitive. The darker color is the dead skin and from the iodine used just before going into surgery. I am ready for a shower! I can shower but can't bathe the foot. As for now, I have to keep an eye on my incision and make sure it's healing.

Instead of the boot I was said to get, I got an ankle brace! I can wear shoes! That's if it fits haha. One more trip to get xrays and I am free to go! 

Half of my journey is over. It's time to start my search for a Physical Therapist to go in twice a week as prescribed. On to getting back on my feet! I'll be back in 6 weeks for another followup on January 4. I look forward to the new year!

1 more week in this cast!

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 - Week 7

Time is really flying by! Only 1 more week left and this cast finally comes off!

I feel good today, no numbing weirdness or burning feeling. I had a good night of sleep. It still gets a bit itchy and I can see and feel the dead skin inside! It's so gross! My leg really shrunk! I can almost stick my entire hand inside my cast! I bet my calf will be the size of my arm. I'm very anxious to see my scar too. Fortunately, I haven't felt anything that's completely bothering me yet on the surgical area. I'll continue to wiggle my toes to get some sort of movement. Counting down to this final week! Oooh I can't wait! So happy!

Very swollen toes and discomfort...

Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 - Week 5

It's already November! It has been 5 weeks already! Wow time flies! I'm just itching to get this cast off now. It's getting close! Wednesday, Nov. 21 is in sight! 

For the past 3 Fridays, I've been going into work. Coworkers are so nice and helpful. Got some more art on the cast as well. It makes me happy to see so much fun art haha. So after work, I went to my friends birthday dinner and by the end of the night, my toes have swollen up to a point I was not able to even move them! It was sooo uncomfortable! I almost had to take a pain med but made it home to elevate it to relieve the discomfort. 

I have to start getting use to this. It'll be another early night for me to fall asleep by 11:30 because crutching around all day and not much elevation really drains me good.

Art on my cast

Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 - Week 3

Here's the start of some art on my cast.