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!

2 years 7 months - Alamere Falls Hike, came home with a sore ankle!

Saturday April 4, 2015

Alamere Falls was one of the most beautiful hike's I've ever done. Minus the poison oak along the trails. There were wide and narrow trails.

Towards the end of the trail, we had to do a bit of rock climbing down to the beach. There were also a few beautiful waterfalls! 

The final part down to the beach was almost a 90 degree climb down. There was a lot of loose rock too, so everyone had to becareful and wait for people to go up and down.

Down by the beach, there was this big waterfall where everyone went to take pictures.

This time I didn't wear my ankle brace or bring my hiking poles. Mostly because I misplaced the brace and forgot to bring the poles. It was a quick last minute rush decision to go this morning. I was definitely feeling tired by the time I got to the beach. We walked along soil, uneven paths, gravel, rocks, acorns, leaves, and sand! The entire hike was uneven pavement. It was a workout for sure for my ankle. Waterfall was our reward at the end, with a vietnamese sandwich for a late lunch.

By 3/4 of the way back, I was slowing down and starting to limp just a bit. The next time I come back, I should really wear my ankle brace because I slipped a few times. Luckily with my left foot. 

Once I got home, I put on a Icy Hot wrap. I realized I wore it inside out, as shown in the image below haha. Sore but happy! I'll be back and more prepared next time!

1 year 11 months - Played Grass Volleyball for the first time!

Monday, September 1, 2014

Happy Labor Day!!!

I went to have a BBQ at the park with friends and played grass volleyball for the first time! It was a beautiful day! No wind and perfect to play! At first I was nervous because of a few uneven grass and soiled areas. Played 2 games and felt fine! Jumped to spike a ball and landed fine. No pressure on the ankle or swelling at all. Afterwards, I definitely felt tired and now bit sore at home. No limping! It's feeling a bit hot now. Deciding if I should now ice it. Great workout! I'm so excited! I want more!

1 year 7 months - Mom noticed me limping today...

Saturday, May 31, 2014

I had family dinner today to pick up some Zongzi, a yearly traditional food made during this time. My grandma makes the best! It's so yummy!

After dinner on my walk to my car with my mom, she said to me she notices me limping. She asked if I was ok and it made me sad. Usually I wouldn't even limp until after about 30 minutes to 1 hour of walking. I told her it could be the cold, or maybe the shoes I wear sometimes. This is just something that happens. She just seemed very sad and it made me sad. It was the first cold day of the nice sunny week we've had in San Francisco. 

This entire month has been very emotionally tiring. This weird ankle started acting up with the clicking and limping more often then usual. I'll get an MRI this coming Thursday.  I continue to do Yoga, and Stationary Biking. I'll see what happens after scheduling and getting in some Physical Therapy. I feel like I just took 100 steps back in my healing. Thing's just happens.  

1 year 7 months - Check up with Dr. Lundy!

Friday, May 30, 2014

I'm back for a check up! I called in because I was concerned about my ankle being more tired lately, spasms, clicking, and aching. I also mentioned I couldn't carry more than about 35 lbs of dog food when I do shop. I think it was all because of that last time I ran on cement at Lake Merced. It was a few months back and noticed my ankle hasn't been great like it was before then. I tried waiting in out to see if it improved. Then noticed all this weirdness happening.

It was great to see Dr. Lundy and everyone in the office again. Everyone's so nice and attentive as always. I feel very welcomed and made sure I was taken care of. He seemed a bit sad and it made me said to hear that I was his star healer and was doing so great when I graduated PT. 

Dr. Lundy checked my ankle, watched me walk, tip toe, twist it from left to right, and felt the clicking/popping. The clicking sounded like it could be the tendons. I asked about the random heat I feel and it was inflamation. So he sent me to get xrays to double check to see if everything is still in tact. I got to keep the xray CD! I got so excited haha.

It was so funny, I freaked when I saw the 3rd xray and asked why it was floating. Then Dr. Lundy showed me the next middle xray. Said that it was what was holding the fracture site together. The other nails on top and below were for extra support. Everything looks great and the very bottom of the hardware maybe what's irritating me. Moving my tendons and so it can cause clicking. 

I said that I had quit running all together. I'm now only doing stationary biking and yoga. Next I have an MRI this coming Thursday and being sent back to Physical Therapy. I'll be back for a follow up in a few weeks! 

1 year 7 months - First time back at Bikram Yoga!

Saturday, May 24, 2014

My first time back at Bikram Yoga! It's been about 7 years? It was a 10 a.m. 90 minute heated class and I felt like I just got beaten up haha. I came in with a mini migraine and the heat and heavy breathing during warm up helped make it go away. I was already sweating up a waterfall but it felt so good and relaxing. 

I have stopped doing regular yoga for a few weeks and already it feels like I've lost it all. I was doing so good going about 4 times a week now down to 2 times a week and on only weekends. Today, I absolutely lost all balance on my right ankle. These were all the poses I could not do. 

                           Balancing Stick                                     Standing Bow

                              

           Standing head to knee                                     Tree

I will strive to do more yoga and gain back balance to my right ankle. I only lasted about 60 minutes of the class and was in a rested laying down position for the final 3rd of the class. I may have been a bit dehydrated too as my headache slowly came back, also felt a bit dizzy. My ankle is fine. I'll be back for more and hopefully can last a bit longer in my next class. Or maybe just go back to regular yoga. 

Day 194 - It's Winter and I can feel the cold in my ankle!

Friday, December 6, 2013 - Week 63

Winter is here! There's finally rain in San Francisco during these few days. It hailed tonight!

I can feel the weather change in my ankle! Whenever it starts to get cold or rain is coming. It's kind of feels like a toothache, except it's in my ankle. It's this slight pinch discomfort on the metal parts of my ankle. It's my first winter with this hardware. It's been a year and almost 3 months since my surgery. I'll see how I'll hold up for the rest of the winter. It will get me thinking about removing this hardware if it gets really bad. I'll have to see. 

Day 177 - Was able to run for a total of 20 minutes!

Thursday, May 17, 2013 - Week 33

I woke up today feeling really strong and comfortable in the ankle. I can say I felt about 95% today! I was surprised and happy to notice that I now almost cannot feel the metal in my ankle as if I never got the surgery! I never thought I'd actually feel my ankle again. I still don't have 100% of side to side range of motion. Always a bit stiffness once I wake up in the morning but with a little stretch and warming up to taking my first few steps and I'm good to go. No complaints, I'll take it because I'm not in pain!

This is my 4th running progression homework. It's been about 2 weeks since my last run on the treadmill. I've got a lot of time between busy doing my other ankle exercises. I was able to run for a total of 20 minutes today! [4] 2 minutes, and [4] 3 minutes of running with a minute in between each run at 4.3 speed (.1 increase)! I didn't want to push myself but it felt like I could have ran more then just 3 minute increments. I felt more balanced and definitely stronger this time around. I was less wobbly and eventually felt tired by about 18 minutes. Most importantly, no pain at all!

I continued speed walking at 3.0 speed for another 20 minutes and was sweating waterfalls again. It was a good day for me. I'm so happy!

Day 161 - Was able to run for a total of 13 minutes!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - Week 31

My ankle feels great a day after coming home from Vegas. I expected my ankle to be sore from all the walking around I did but I feel stronger and completely fine! No aches, always the same waking morning stiffness. But a bit of stretching will warm me up and I'm good to go. My balance is getting better by the day too. Today is my second Running Progression Exercise Homework. I met up my friend at her gym to get some running in. I started off with walking for 4 minutes and did the usual alternate walking/running every minute. At that point, I felt a tiny knuckle crack type crunching pop on the top and inside of my ankle. My ankle was also to feel hot and tired. I started to feel heavier too. 

I lasted 10 minutes of running then increased it to 2 minutes of walking and 1 minute of running. I lasted about 3 more minutes of running from this alternation and that gave me a total of 13 minutes of running! It's 3 minutes more then the last time. The rest of my workout was continued walking at a 3.0 speed level. While my running is still at 4.2 speed level. By the end of that last run, I felt tired and that quick crunch again above and inside of my foot. A bit of pressure on the bottom outside ankle. No PAIN though! I just felt tired. Possibly also because I am still dehydrated from just getting back from Vegas this past weekend. Other then that, my ankle feels stronger, and it's progressing. I also felt that I was a bit more balanced and less duck waddle running like the very first time. I hope to keep increasing my minutes in running! 

Day 139 - Got an ankle massage using a Fibroblaster

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - Week 28

I woke up today still a bit sore from walking Pebbles at the beach this past weekend. I went to PT today and told Colleen that and she had me do a few exercises to see how my mobility was. We did a round of two feet hops and then single foot hops. I was able to do a few and no pinching feeling this time around. However, clearly I am still weak on the right leg. Next she had me remove my shoes to give me an ankle massage using a Fibroblaster to loosen up my tissue. I saw the tool and immediately thought what is this?! It looked like a sharp knife! What are you going to do to me? I joked to Colleen and asked if she was going to poke or cut me? Haha. It felt extremely weird when she went over the area where my metal is. I can feel the bumpy nails on my bones as she went over it with some pressure. It wasn't painful, but it was sort of a weird uncomfortable type of pressure that felt good at the same time. It made me sweat too haha! It is a tool for Physical Therapists, designed to reduce hand fatigue when giving massages. Once she was done, I did feel better and more mobile. I felt warmed up and was able to do my exercises with more ease and less stiffness. I felt great! She said to go ahead and massage my ankle before doing my exercises to warm it up.

Next, Colleen had me go over some of my resistance rubber band side steps and forward steps. She taught me a new balance exercise to help improve my joint movement as well. One legged stands with the other knee lifted up to a 90 degree and rotating my entire hip from left to right and back. I definitely felt the pressure on each leg stand and my ankle began to feel hot and this burning sensation, also some pressure build up. I should lose some weight so I am not so heavy haha. This is a new exercise to add to my homework. 

Finally, as usual we end our session with the leg press machine. This machine will control how much body weight I will be using for leg presses or whatever other types of exercises I will do on it. She taught me 2 new exercises to add on to the days I am able to go in to use the gym myself after work. She said just do 2 sets of each every other day. One of them were one legged alternating jumping/prancing and rest for a minute. Second one was to do 2 legged even jumps. This is done to build up my leg strength to actually do real jumps with my 100% body weight. I hope I don't get anymore of these pinching type feelings, it is very uncomfortable. That 5% of immobility can cause issues and will tire me which is expected. Colleen said if it bothers me enough to a point where I am unable to do my day to day things, I can request to have the hardware removed. It appears I should be fine and surprisingly do not swell up. She mentioned that some patients do still swell at 9 months. I'm at my 6 month and a week and my ankle looks completely fine. I wonder if the Chinese medicine had anything to do with it. I will see how I feel in a few months. However, she did say I am healing faster then she expected and progressing very nicely. She is very confident. She think's this is still early for running and believe I should be fine later as I heal up and am ready. This is also the first time I left my PT session without any ice!

Day 105 - TRX and Half Yoga Ball tired me out

Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2013 - Week 23

I woke up a bit sore from my exercises yesterday. This time I had a lunch session. I was starving! Colleen had me try some new balancing exercises today. I primarily used the TRX and the half yoga ball. Below is an image example of some balancing exercises I did on the TRX. I did some side stepping, squats, toe raises, and push ups. This really made me sweat. The stretches felt really good though. The top of my foot had some crunching in almost every bending movement I make.

Another new exercise Colleen showed me today were balancing exercises on the half yoga ball. I also did some arm rope pulls on the wall while standing on the half yoga ball. I also did some squats, side balancing step ups alternating my feet at a 45 degree angle. 

My calf is slowly gaining muscle and getting close to the same size as my other calf. I wonder how much longer it will take before I finally get there. I was extremely sore today and clearly I have a heavy limp.

Day 102 - Able to walk on sand (sort of) for the first time!

Sunday, Mar. 3, 2013 - Week 22

My friend picked me up today to have a doggy date with Cooper, the 7 month old Australian Shepard puppy. It was my friends first time going to Ft. Funston as well as my first time back to that place since I got injured! First time back at the beach! It's dog heaven there! So many dogs, a beach, hiking trails, sand dunes, dogs off leash allowed, and great relaxing scenery! We got there around 10:45am and walked around the entire park and beach until about 1:30pm. I was nervous at first because sand is so uneven and there were a lot of bark and rocks too which was unsafe for my unstable ankle. I wanted to see if I could do it and to my surprise I felt good. Stepping on sand felt like I was just stretching my ankles. I felt a bit of pressure in really soft sand. I was just afraid to fall when walking on steep hills. I really had to becareful and watched every step I took. It felt great to be back, it was such a great destresser.

Pebbles wasn't awake yet. That lazy dog usually wakes up around lunch time. She hung out mostly around my friend and I while Cooper ran wild haha. My friend said it's because he only goes there once a month. After this long walk, I felt the soreness coming around my ankle. I was definitely tired. Once I got home, I immediately began to fall asleep and fell into a short nap. My limping came back and it got more sore towards the end of the night. I shouldn't have walked for that long. I may have overworked my ankle. I'll be more careful and take shorter walks next time. At least I took a mini break in the middle of my walk. However, I felt so happy to be out and about again. So happy to be back at Ft. Funston. Pebbles needs some exercise too haha.

Day 91 - Half Foam Roller Exercises

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 - Week 21

I had a great week of recovery! I found another way to describe what I feel in the ankle. So when you squeeze you arm, that's pretty much how I felt everyday. Then every step I take, it would be an added squeeze to the arm. Just a lot of pressure really is what I feel now. The bruising feeling has narrowed down even more and almost gone. I'd say I have about 10% of this feeling left. My limping is also going away. I am able to get out of bed without stretching now, but it is still a bit stiff. 

It's been a week since my last Physical Therapy session! I came in thinking, this is my last 2 scheduled appointments! I hope I don't get anymore. Again I was 5 minutes early so I stepped on to the Elliptical to warm up. Colleen came to fetch me and went straight to a bed to get my shoes off and jumped right in with my usual survey on how I am doing and feeling. Next I did some of my usual balance exercises and I've clearly improved on standing on just my right foot bearing all of my body weight. I was able to balance and hold my body up longer. Colleen said that I may be able to join in on some balance type classes they hold there. She would decide after my entire session to see how I am managing with these new balancing exercises. I was asked to stand on my right foot alone to do some toe raises. I was not even able to do 1 just last week. This week, I was able to sort of do 10! My bending motion is still stiff on the top of my foot. Next she had me do toe squats and I was able to hold my body up with her supporting my hands. 

One fun new exercise she had me do was the Half Foam Roller exercises. This was all new to me and it was the first time I've seen anything like this. It was so interesting to me. One of the exercises, I placed my heels on it with socks on and did squats. I also stepped on it, flat side under my one foot and held on to a ski stick for support to balance. Then alternated sides I felt the stretch around the ankle and it felt good. This actually relieved a lot of pressure off my heels. It felt good and very comfortable. I liked this one a lot. 

After my entire session, sadly I was still struggling with a bit of balance and needed more leg strengthening exercises. She preferred I continue to see her so I can get more personal 1:1 time. I felt sore after all these exercises and got my bag of ice. So I left and went to the front desk to schedule in 3 more weeks. I wonder what new exercises I will get to try for next week. It was a really fun day today. Colleen was very impressed with my progress and said that I will heal up just fine and will eventually be able to go back to playing Softball if I wanted. I said, probably not haha!

I got home and continued to use my Chinese Medicine (Dit Da Jow) my grandma gave me. I've already used up more then half the bottle. I feel like it has removed the aching for me. I guess it really works!

Day 84 - Last follow up appointment with my Surgeon!

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 - Week 20

Today was the last follow up appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Lundy!

I came in to his office for the first time without any crutches nor ankle brace! I paid for my copay for the visit and after about 5 minutes of waiting I was lead in to my room to wait for Dr. Lundy. In he comes and I was ready for him. I had my shoes and socks off already. He viewed my scar and said it looked really good. There was more movement around the scar area which he liked seeing. Then he had me move my ankle up, down, and side to side. Then asked if I was in pain and how I was doing. I was completely fine moving up and down. Still some stiffness and not completely able to move side to side still. Everything sounded and looked good. Then we reviewed how long it has been since my cast came off and told him I have scheduled only 2 more visits with the Physical Therapist. He then said this will be our last meeting until I have any issues and would like to get checked out then. It's up to me. I'm FREE! My eyes lit up with happiness! He said it would take between 9-12 months before I'll be close to my normal self again. Currently I am at about 5.5 months. I will continue to feel the stiffness around my ankle until then. Just keep up with the exercises and I should be fine. He said that in about 6 months time, if the metal is bothering me and I'm in pain, I can get back in touch to set up another surgery to get the metal removed. Dr. Lundy said that most people are not bothered by it and wouldn't need to remove it, and a very small percentage of people do have it removed. I quickly responded with a "I'm OK now, no thanks!" It's way too soon at this point to even get surgery to remove it if I wanted to now he says. My ankle is too fragile at this point anyway. I can't even imagine having surgery again. I'm so happy to say, I'm FREE!

Day 77 - Graduated to doing more balance exercises

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2013 - Week 19

Today was an exciting day! I finally moved my one crutch that has been sitting on my passenger seat to the trunk. It's slowly retiring from my sight. I know I don't need it anymore but I still keep in around just in case anything happens. It was such a good feeling to feel confident enough to put it away and walk without it! 

I had a late afternoon Physical Therapy appointment today with Colleen. For the first time, I finally got a parking spot at the Handicap Parking zone in front of the block. I was sooo happy I didn't have to drive around the block to look for parking as usual. 

There were a lot of new exercises and different things done today. I got the usual ankle movement measurements and I continue to improve some more. Colleen had me show her my squat, and clearly she can see that I was able to bend down more then I was able to the last session. I went back to do the same heel lifts on the machine and on the stairs. She had me walk up and down the stairs to see how I was taking my steps. Apparantly I have been so cautious about my ankle, I have been taking every step with my heel first. She corrected me and had me start stepping down with my toes first. She said that this was actually better with more support. Immediately I felt the difference and more comfortable. I felt dumbfounded haha, I've been doing it wrong all along! Now I just have to train my brain to remind myself to do it. This time, I did some balancing exercises on the half yoga ball. I threw a ball back and forth with Colleen, and she had me follow the ball in every ankle and touch it with my right hand and then alternating with my left hand. This time I definitely felt the sore coming because these were completely new exercises. This time the sore was in one central area, the lower right side below and around that ankle. There was definitely more pressure and pinching type feeling. We went back to our little room and she graduated me from laying exercises to more balancing and standing exercises! 4 new ones she showed and had me do today every other week so I don't get too tired. I'll continue the other balancing ones from the previous sessions. Progress! 3 more weeks of Physical Therapy and we'll see where I am then.

Day 63 - Went to Physical Therapy without my crutch for the first time!

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 - Week 17

I woke up feeling great today! I feel my ankle getting stronger! It started to rain today, boo... I went to class without a crutch for the first time! I also didn't wear my brace the entire day! Colleen congratulated me for finishing my last Pool Class I had this past friday! This was my 14th Physical Therapy session and she had prescribed for 20. She mentioned depending how well I do, she may have me join in on the exercise classes. Starting this week, I've also gone down to going to Physical Therapy once a week now! I can't believe how fast this has gone by and how much I have progressed. I am so happy to hear this news =).

Colleen did the usual ankle flexing measurements and so far it's improving and looking well. I told her about how my ankle scar feels tight when I lay a certain way in bed. It's like a tight pinching feeling where the skin on the scar area feels like it's pulling. It's hard to explain really. She does notice the upper half of my scar area on the leg is a bit stiff with less movement on and around the scar area. Then she suggested cupping. I didn't know they had that there. She said that it would help pull and loosen the tightness on the scar area. So I went for it and gave it a try. This was exactly what the cupping material she used looked like. She first put vaseline on top of the scar area near the top of my ankle where it was tight, and suctioned the air and then my skin raised and looked like a red bruise. She then moved the cup up and down the scar. So our individual rooms has an open ceiling which means people can hear our conversations. My sentences during the cupping session was, "ow, ahh. haha, ticklish but not really. Too much!" Haha! This one specific part of my ankle was very tender, clearly the part where it is tight. She did this a few times and it felt uncomfortably good. Colleen said this should help to loosen up the tissue underneath the scar. It was really red after the few cupping sessions. So far it hasn't bruised up.

Afterwards, Colleen had me walk from one end of the room the the next. She wanted to see how my balance was. I still clearly have a limp and can see that I am taking a smaller step with my right injured foot and not fulling stepping off and rolling my ankle. The then tested me on walking a line from toe to heel forward and backwards. I always seem to lean to the right, still unbalanced. Then she had me stand on my right injured foot to see if I can hold my weight. I still am not able to fully do it more then about 6 seconds before I need support. Then we went to the leg press machine and did some heel lifts. I was starting to feel more sore then. I realize my right calf is still not as strong as I need it to be along with the bottom of my right foot. I am still not able to put my entire body weight on it quite comfortably yet. She prescribed me to continue these toe heel balancing exercises at home along with the single foot balancing to build up my strength to hold my body weight.

Here is an image of what my ankle looks like from the top view. As you can see my right calf is still smaller then the left. You can also see my right ankle is bigger because of the metal inside. The darker skin area on my right ankle side is from the dead skin scabs I got from wearing the cast for so long. Colleen said that the skin in that area heals a bit slower so the discoloration may stay forever but will fade in time. I'll see her again in a week!

Day 51 - Fifth Pool Class

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 - Week 15

I woke up feeling very emotionally drained from what happened yesterday. I don't cry often and it really took a lot of my energy. I really just let it all out. My ankle is feeling better, walking around with a little limp still. I didn't need to use my ankle brace or crutch today!

I was the only one in class today! I had my very own private session, it was nice. I did the usual exercises and my fingers started to prune towards the end of class.

I still haven't walked my dog since I've gotten injured. My friend and mom has been walking her. She's getting a bit chubby haha. Poor Pebbles.

Day 50 - First time without an ankle brace!

Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 - Week 15

Today was the first day I went without an ankle brace! I woke up and felt even more better as each day passes. I was less stiff and did a few warm up movements before stepping out of bed. I was able to walk to my car without crutches, which I have been doing the past few days, and still brought a crutch to get to work in case I got tired at the end of the day. So far so good! Once the end of my work day came, I started to feel more tired and limpy. Yes, I still have this undeniable limp. My steps still look a bit wobbly. I just need to keep reminding myself to flex my right thigh when taking a step and the limp sort of goes away.

I started to massage my top of the leg next to my scar more. Since yesterday's physical therapy session with Serena, you can see, feel, and notice that it's a bit swollen and stiff. It feels a bit like a bruise on that area too. It is also a bit stiff and hard. After massaging it out, I do feel sore. You can see a bit of the swelling to the right of my scar just above my top arch. Notice also the tiny little bulge under my ankle, that is the part where I feel the tender bruise most whenever I walk. There's still pressure there. On the top of my ankle, you can sort of see a little bulge/indent, that's where the metal end begins. I've already put on some Cocoa Butter and continue the Chinese medicine. I will continue to massage my foot and scar, as well as keeping up with my ankle exercises everyday. I look forward to my pool class tomorrow!

Day 49 - Tenth Physical Therapy Session

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013 - Week 15

I felt good waking up this morning. Not as stiff as usual. I got around without using crutches! One of the crutch is in the car and the other one is downstairs in the living room. I'm getting around slowly. I made it to my 9:15am appointment with Serena for some land physical therapy. I only wore my neoprene brace to physical therapy and kept it off the rest of the day. She sees that I am doing well and can walk without my one crutch I brought! I got the usual measurements before and after the warm up stretches and massage. This time, the massage on the top of my leg really made me sore. I was pretty stiff on the top of my leg this time. It felt sooo good after. I was really warmed up and walked with less of  a limp. We now started more balancing exercises. I stood on the half yoga ball to balance. Did the side steps, foot in front and back, walking in a straight line toe to heal and backwards, and finally the leg weight machine to push my body while bending knees. Serena watched me walk and reminded me to flex my upper legs when taking so I am more balanced. It's weird to have to relearn to walk. I just had to remind myself to flex and the limping sort of went away. I'm still a bit wobbly but getting there. She took a look at my scar and notice it fading away.

I've started using Cocoa Butter on my scar since last week. I'm still waiting for the darkest part of the scar to fade away. This was the part where it bled when the surgeon removed the dressing the day I got my cast taken off. I still use crutches or one crutch for longer walks to wherever I need to get to because it's just faster to get around with. I'll continue to use the chinese medicine grandma gave me. My next session will be in the Pool. I love it!

Day 44 - ~1 month follow up with Surgeon since cast came off

Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 - Week 14

November 21, 2012 was the day I got my cast off! I can't believe it's already the new year! Time flew by so fast. I finally come in to see Dr. Lundy for a follow up after about a month and a week's worth of physical therapy to see how I'm doing. Before heading in, I went to buy an almond cake to thank and wish Dr. Lundy and staff for helping me. 

When I wake up every morning, I feel the stiffness around the ankle and need to stretch to warm it up before I step down on the floor to get up. It doesn't help that it's winter and cold right now. With the cold, it's definitely more stiff feeling. I need to continue my exercises diligently.

It was 9:15am, and I went straight to my room to wait for Dr. Lundy. He came to my room within minutes and then he began. He reviewed my scar, told me I had to keep at my physical therapy as this is a very crucial time to heal my ankle. Also to massage my scar incision area so the skin has movement. He sad that my ankle looked really good, not much swelling and that it will go down over time. It's looking really well. He asked if I was in pain and asked if I was still taking any pain medication. I told him I had stopped taking it 2 days out of surgery because I was able to take the pain and didn't need it. Then he said that I can ween off using the ankle brace by the end of the month! I was so happy to hear that! The brace actually lays right on top of the incision area which makes it uncomfortable at times. He also said, don't use the brace when I'm home but use it when I'm out or around a crowd to protect it. Luckily I still have a neoprene ankle brace I found laying around from my previous ankle injury. I will use that in replacement. So far it has been working well and a lot smaller.

This month end would make it my 2 months of physical therapy. If I needed more, then the physical therapist can send over a note to request for more sessions. We'll see how I do by the end of the month! I'll be back to see Dr. Lundy again in about a month for another followup.