7 years - Ankleversary!

Tuesday - September 24, 2019

 It's my 7 years Ankleversary!!!

I am about 2 weeks late on this post! I can't believe it's been so many years since I've had my surgery.

I am feeling great! Still the occasional weather changes and random arthritis, sometimes cramping, and the continued tiredness after too long of a walk. My range in motion is great! No more braces needed.

Must get good supporting shoes and I can wear heels! I've also been buying better athletic shoes with cushioned support and cute sandals that also have more cushioned support. Still sticking to the 2-inch heels to feel safe but at least I can wear heels. Also to be able to walk without discomfort.

As for exercise, I've been doing a lot of steps at Lyon Street Steps and Tiled Steps, more walking, and hiking. Lately just more steps. I still haven't run, just too much impact from what I last remembered.

Winter is coming and I always look forward to going up north to play in the snow! However, my sports have changed since I can't snowboard anymore since wearing boots irritate my ankle. I now go snowmobiling. Buying snow and water boots was also a challenge. I had to find shoes that didn't lay on the ankle. It had to fit under the metal and ankle parts to feel comfortable. Got myself a few pairs already and waiting to wear them.

I'll update again in a few months when I get up there to play in snow!

6 years 7 months - Working out, Steps

Tuesday - April 16, 2019

Spring is here! Time for some outdoor workouts. I gotta change up some of my routine gym classes. Now that the rain is gone and the sunny warm weather is back, it's time to go back to my outdoor workouts. Steps! Enjoying the outdoor views of the city and working out is refreshing. Especially enjoying the fresh air. 

Filbert Steps

Fun Fact: Netflix TV series "The OA", Season 2 house is located at Vallejo and Taylor St. At the top of Filbert Street Steps. 

Lyon Street Steps

I feel like I am still out of shape every time I'm back at working out at these steps. My ankle feels fine. I don't run these steps, I just walk it. Once I get tired, I do feel the heat around my ankle. No pain, no limping, no pinching. Mostly just heat, possibly due to inflammation or overworking the ankle. I'll just have to continue working out gradually to make it stronger. I'm back at it!

6 years 2 months - Winter is coming! Trying to find the right boots!

Wednesday - November 28, 2018

Winter is coming! The arthritis randomly kicks in when it's cold and when it rains. I finally found the right type of shoes, booties, that fit my comfortably. Now that ankle boots are popular, the open ankle boots happen to be my favorite kind of boots! Extra thick heels, low inches, comfortable support! The thing I love most is the open ankle slit which does not rub against or lay on my incision scar area. I use to have ankle boots and hiking boots that is full ankle coverage but was uncomfortable because it rubbed against my ankle. I still have metal in there so the added pressure against it is very uncomfortable. Just the reason why I have quit snowboarding. Anything that is tightly snug against my ankle is not good. I feel pain, discomfort, and am unable to walk comfortably. Open ankle boots all the way! Now I have to shop for more styles! I'm noticing also, with large wedged heels, I can wear higher than 2 inches! But I'll stick to my 2 inch heels. That's the magic height. Time to go shopping! Definitely taking advantage of Black Friday sales! I've already bought 2 pairs of shoes! 

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 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 Years Ankleversary!

Saturday - September 24, 2016

Today's my 4 years Ankleversary! I just got back from vacation, an 18 hour flight from Cambodia. It was my first vacation where I walked a lot in tours. First day there, I was probably on my feet walking from about 5am since landing till 11pm. After about a few more days of nonstop walking, I'm noticing my ankles swelling. I've got cankles haha! It was spilling over my shoes at one point, it got so bad! 

The 3rd day, I decided to wear a brace and it backfired. I got heat rash! It didn't help that it was hot, in the 90s and humid. I was also noticably limping with some pinching sudden pain that scared me a bit. I almost buckled a few times and had to stop. Then again I was carrying pretty heavy luggage and walking a good distance with that weight. Ankle was also hot. Ice packing and elevating it helped! 

Good thing I brought some Salonpas patches to wear overnight. I also elevated it on a pillow to bring down the swelling.

By the last few days with some rest, my swelling and heat rash went away! However, my scar is itchy. I guess the heat activated my collagen around the scar that caused inflamation. Now I know I can't do long walking tours and carrying heavy things for a long distance. I also probably need better shoes. I had the lightweight Nike running shoes which I thought was enough but wasn't. I probably need better cushioning. Time to shop for new shoes! I am back to normal and ready for the next vacation!

3 years 9 months - I get nervous every time I get a massage!

Thursday - June 30, 2016

The last time I went to get a foot massage was in Las Vegas from The Foot Spa located in Chinatown 2 months ago.

This was the 3rd time I've received a massage and every time I forwarn the person about my ankle surgery and show them the scar. People usually are very gentle around the area but I still tense up everytime they get to that ankle area. Sometimes they'd rub over the scar, and one person rubbed a bit too hard and it got a bit uncomfortable but not painful. One person massaged around the area and still I felt a bit of pressure when they got real close to the metal part. It's a weird pressure tight, and muscle tensing feeling. As if the nerves around the metal area feels like it's pulling against the bone. It's hard to explain really. Otherwise, the massage itself still feels good! It's a different person every time, so yes I'll get nervous every time haha.  

3 years 7 months - Back to cycling class since 2012!

Saturday - April 16, 2016

I took my first Soul Cycle class today since I broke my ankle in September 2012! I can't believe it's been that long since I last took a cycling class. I use to go to these twice a week at 24 Hour Fitness. I'm back and surprised I was able to hang in this 45 minutes class. I did quite a lot of walking afterwards too and feel the heat in my ankle. A bit sore but in a good way. No pain! I'm excited to be back and will continue cycling! It's such a great body workout, as well as for my ankle! 

3 years 5 months - Only kind of stiletto heels I can wear for now...

Monday, February 29, 2016

Happy Leap Year! Happy New Year! Gong Hay Fat Choy!

Another year has come. I continue to take Kick Boxing class and jumping jacks are getting easier. When I go out at night, I get dressed up and do miss wearing stiletto type heels. So many shoes I own I can't or not confident enough to wear still. I do continue to wear the wedged kind of heels. Then I found these cute stiletto 2 inch booties in my closet I forgot about. These I can defintely wear! Just because of the extra surrounding support around my feet. I wore them out all night this past Saturday and felt completely fine! It's not to high and it felt fine. The sides didnt irritate my ankle. I'll have to start shopping for more of these types of shoes! So happy! The progression continues.

3 years 3 months - First time taking Kickboxing class!

Saturday, December 3, 2015

It was my first time taking Kickboxing class since my broken ankle! So much fun! Lots of air kicks, jump kicks, and ugh burpees. The jumps made me nervous and I didn't make full jumps. It was a lot of pressure coming down when I landed. I felt the intensity against my ankle. I made it through the entire 1 hour class! Non stop cardio. I made sure to stay in the back row as I was so uncoordinated. So much fun though! Towards the end of class, I felt my ankle getting tired. Probably from all the steps and jumping. After class, my ankle was sore. No ankle brace needed! I had so much fun! And happy I was able to take it!

It's December already, and excited to see what the new year brings! Maybe trying more new sports or exercise programs. 

3 years - 3 Years Ankleversary!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Happy 3 Year Ankleversary to me!!!

It's been exactly 3 years since I've broken my ankle! This year came even faster then last! Maybe because I've been more active this year.

I went from crutches, splint, cast, and surgery to a plate with 9 screws. Now back on my feet wearing wedge heels, hiking, yoga, and now biking! However, I am still unable to carry heavier items, standing still for 30 minutes straight, feeling the cold weather and rain come, and noticing random cramping in my leg closer to the ankle area. When I sleep now, I am still sensitive to laying on this ankle and so I don't. I am getting more use to laying on it but it is still an irritating feeling. 

                              Last Year                                                     Today

 

3 Years later, my right ankle scar looks not much different. Once in a while, the top of my scar area gets itchy. That's the collagen from my scar tissue doing some funny things on the ankle. I still haven't used Mederma (Scar removal cream suggested by my doctors) to remove my scar because I want to keep it as a memory and to tell my story. Like my last ankleversary, I consider myself still recovering. I am not completely 100% as expected. I would say I'm about a 98% today after a 48 minute workout at Lyon Street Steps. It was a nice day out, 75 degrees F to work out after work. 

I went to Big Sur for the first time to camp with some friends and did some hiking at Salmon Creek Falls Trail the first weekend of this month! It was so beautiful and relaxing. We hiked for a good 4 hours, about 6 miles worth of gravel, rocks, and uneven soil trails. I had no hiking poles or an ankle brace. By the end of the day my ankle was sore, and felt a bit achy and swollen. I definitely worked out my ankle. I tripped and fell twice, this time twisting my other ankle. Luckily my other ankle was fine, I wouldn't know what it would feel like to twist my right ankle with the metal inside. It makes me nervous to think about it. I may just retire from these types of hikes for a while or I'll need to make sure I wear an ankle brace next time for just in case. I did end the day walking with a very baby limp. But it was so much fun! 

Look how far I've come from just a year ago with the below picture of me hiking.

I'm so excited! Again, I still can't believe how fast time flew by and to remember what I went through. Since my healing has progressed this year, I've been in a life is short type of mood lately and want to be out and about doing everything I can when I can. On to continued healing and more adventures to come! To another better year of recovering!

2 years 10 months - Found my high school track cleats, back at the track for a run!

Monday July 27, 2015

I found my high school track cleats for rehabbing my ankle on the track! It's been over a year since I last ran. Found it, I wrote about June 29, 2014 which was the last time I ran on Lake Merced. I won't forget it, came out limping that day. Shortly after, I went to get an MRI which I wrote about on June 5, 2014 to check on the clicking action, swelling, soreness, and heat that was going on inside my ankle. Found out it was inflamed tissue and that I may have ran on cement a bit too soon and aggravated it. I was definitely nervous. Didn't have an ankle brace either. 

I lasted my first lap running ok, after that I alternated running and walking on every lap. I didn't want to overdo it and hurt myself. I was just happy and excited to be back on the track for a run! Did 2 miles to start and started feeling tired at 1 mile point. Giving that it's been over a year since I last ran, I felt great! No pain! Just a bit of soreness but nothing I can't handle. I'll wait a day to rest and continue running. I'm ready for more! So happy!

2 years 6 months - First time biking outdoors!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

It was my first time back at biking outdoors! I was so excited! I wasn't nervous anymore like I was before. I was so happy to be out because I am so out of shape right now! It was a beautiful day to bike around Crissy Fields. Other then my flat back tire, I had no issues biking at all! It just felt like it's been a while, more like about 3 years ago since I last biked outdoors! Wow, didn't realize it was that long!

We biked to Picnic at the Presidio for lunch! It was also my first time there and it was fun! So many food trucks and stands to choose from. I got a bloody mary with my skewers. So yum! 

We ended the day a bit early for grocery shopping. I didn't realize I rode about 4 miles worth. We did go up that steep hill in the presidio that gave us that big leg burn. It was a great workout. I realized I was more out of shape then I expected. I'm excited for next week to bike across Golden Gate Bridge! My ankle did feel sore after when we went to shop in Chinatown. More biking to look forward to!

2 years 5 months - ~10 mile hike at Mission Peak, sore and tired!

Sunday, February 1, 2015

It's Super Bowl Sunday and my friends and I went hiking at Mission Peak! Go Patriots! 

NFL Super Bowl XLIX

Final - Sunday, February 1, 3:30 PM

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

We've all never been and live som close! It was only about an hour drive up north from San Francisco. Bought some delicious vietnamese sandwiches from Sing Sing for breakfast/snack. 

We drove to the other entrance which turns out to be a longer walking route. It was relaxing and still beautiful! 

We walked on cement, gravel, soil, grass, and a tiny rock trail to the top! A lot of uneven paths which was indeed a great workout for my ankle. Because I was told it would take about 2 hours to get to the top, I decided not to bring my walking poles, and to not use my ankle brace. The ankle brace was in my bag! 

It was defnitely a lot of uphill walking. Towards the top, it was a steeper incline. I wished I did bring my poles then. It would have given me that extra support for sure! Next time I'll bring it. 

I made it to the top without any issues! No pain! Started to feel sore and tired though. 

Going down was dangerous, I was so happy to have my trail shoes on. It had great gripping. Going down hills have always been a bit weird for me. I always find myself leaning/walking down towards the left. I'm guessing because of the metal in my right ankle is so straight against the bone, it doesn't really let my ankle bend correctly when I take steps down hills. And when I go uphills, I find that it is more comfortable for me to walk up diagonally versus straight up the hill. By the time I got all the way to the bottom, I definitely felt sore and exhausted. My friends wore their fitbits and recorded their steps. We hiked about 10 miles! I was sort of limping by the end. I'd do it again for more my ankle because I felt great at the end! New Years resolution is to hike more this year! Will bring my poles next time. So much fun and a great workout! I'm ready for the next hike at Muir Woods next week! I'm excited!

2 years 4 months - Ice Skating Work Holiday Party, and I can't Ice Skate! Sad =(

Tuesday, January 15, 2015

Happy New Year!

My work had our Holiday Party at S.F. Union Square Ice Skating Rink, private party with food, alcohol, and Photo Booth! It was so much fun!

I was so excited about Ice Skating and immediately thought, it's a bad idea. I knew that wearing the shoe would feel weird and not comfortable at all. But I had to sign my life away to get some ice skating shoes to try on anyways to see how it felt. I reallllly wanted to ice skate! I was so hopeful! So I put on the right shoe and got in fine. Once I tied up the shoe laces, it was no good. I was so sad haha. The shoe against the metal did not feel good at all. It was a bit painful and so uncomfortable. I couldn't even move. So I took them off and returned the shoes.

At least I got to try on the shoes. So I just watched my coworkers skate... Another coworker who had the same surgery on the right ankle with the same amount of metal and close to 9 nails like mine was able to skate fine! But his surgery was done over 10 yrs ago. I'm at 2 years and I guess I'll have to wait and see years from now how I'll feel. Still hopeful and still nervous with every sport right now. Until then...

2 years - 2 Years Ankleversary!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014 

Happy 2 Year Ankleversary to me!!!

It's been exactly 2 years since I've broken my ankle! I still can't believe another year flew by just like that. I'll never forget the time I was in a cast for close to 3 months and another 5 months of physical therapy.

I went from crutches, splint, cast, surgery, and a plate with 9 screws. Now back on my feet wearing heels, hiking, yoga, and playing grass volleyball! The top of my scar is just a bit itchy today.

2 Years later, my right ankle scar looks not much different. I haven't used Mederma (Scar removal cream suggested by my doctors) to remove my scar because I want to keep it as a memory and to tell my story. Like my last ankleversary, I consider myself still recovering. I am not completely 100% as expected. I would say I'm about a 98% today. Some day's I do feel 100% and forget I even have the hardware in my ankle. 

I played grass volleyball for the first time bare feet a few weeks ago with some friends and felt no pain at all! Just a bit sore and tired of course. No limping either! I was of course nervous because of some uneven grass but had so much fun! I was so happy! 

Went to the beach last week for a walk and felt 100% for the first time! 

I have taken a break from running since the last time I ran on cement and stressed it out. I still continue cycling on my stationary bike at home at least 3 times a week. Yoga has really helped with my balance! I'm hiking more, now with trekking poles so it gives more support. I do wear an ankle brace for hiking so I don't get so sore after or aggravate it.

I'm so excited! Can't believe still how fast time flew by and to remember what I went through. I'll never forget how the beginning was so tough. I've made it through and now I'm here extremely happy and able to do my everyday normal things again. =) I'll see how I feel in another few months. I definitely feel improvement as the days move forward. I still continue my stretches and some of the physical therapy exercises most days. To another better year of recovering!

1 year 11 months - I felt 100% this time walking around Ft. Funston!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

It's been a while since I've been back to Ft. Funston! It was a perfect nice day to take Pebbles out for a walk on the beach. After about 2 hours there, my ankle felt like it was back to normal! Like 100%!!! I walked on uneven sand, down the hill to the beach, over rocks, and in flip flops!

I felt no pain, no pinching, no limping, nothing for the first time! I wasn't even tired either. It was a beautiful day! =)

1 year 7 months - 1 year Physical Therapy Anniversary!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Happy 1 year Physical Therapy Anniversary to me!!! 

I can't believe I forgot to write my 1 year Physical Therapy Anniversary on May 7th! 1 year flew by fast. I'm still within the month so it still counts! Yup, that plate and 9 screws is still inside this right ankle. The scar healed nicely, it lays over my hardware so close you can see the ridges of the nails from when you look at it a certain way. 

How I am feeling? For sure not 100% but still a healing process. As of the late few months, I've notice some random spasm pinches that stop me from walking for just a second. I am also noticing some clicking around the bottom of my ankle when I stretch, move a certain way, or when walking. I wonder if it's just the tissue inside that's healing. I also still get tired after walking for too long. It's really random, some times I'll get tired after just 30 minutes, and sometimes I'll last up to an hour before I start to slow down. And anything over hours, you can clearly see my slower pace and a baby limp. Then it feels hot and sore in the ankle. I have contemplated months ago for requesting for another handicap sign because it's a pain to carry my 35 lb. dog food and heavier bags of grocery days. Sometimes I wonder if the running aggravated, and stressed out my ankle. I stuck it out for a few more months, did more walking and still not much of a change. Maybe because I gained a few pounds too? Nooo..... I don't really know. I did schedule an appointment for a checkup with my Surgeon for next Friday to get an xray of my ankle to make sure nothing is loose and hoping it looks well. I have some questions of concern and wanted to see if it was even possible to get a handicap placard to make it easier for me.

I am sad to say that I have stopped running since the last time. I don't want to feel that uncomfortable feeling, being sore for days, and sometimes limping afterwards. I know I was gung ho and so excited at the beginning. But really I do feel like I have extended myself a bit then when I was just started out. I have since picked up yoga and it's really helping me build back my balance on this ankle. Very slowly but surely getting there. I have to be diligent about going to yoga classes often enough in a week to continue the strengthening of my ankle. The teachers are so kind and helpful in making sure I am safe and not in pain. I will be sure not to push myself too far or get too excited with poses like I did with running and over extending my capabilities. I I am starting to love yoga!

Most importantly, I am happy to be walking! A coworker of mine just fractured his ankle and came to work with crutches and a walking boot. It brought back so many memories. Over time, it does get better. Last year I called it my hermit year because I was tired by 9 and became sort of anti social and focused on healing. This year I call it my YES year! It's time to get back on my feet, get out there and do more activities. I continue to do some of the physical therapy exercises. Aiming to eat healthier, and getting in shape so I can one day again try running! I am getting older and need to take care of my body. I am very excited for the next year! I just have to stay focused, keep going, and staying positive along the way! I wonder what I'll accomplish by next year. I'll be back in a year!