Day 160 - My ankle hardware did not beep at the airport!

Monday, April 29, 2013 - Week 31

I went to VEGAS over the weekend for my friend's bachelorette pary. It was my first mini trip since injured! I just got back today and surprised how well my ankle handled so much walking. On Saturday morning, I was anxious to find out if my ankle hardware would beep going through the TSA body scanner. My surgeon said it was too small to be detected but some say it still beeps! The answer was no beeping! Not actual picture of me below, but this was what the machine looked like at the airport. I walked out so excited haha. Mostly because I'm on my first trip! I healed up just in time for this planned trip. 

During my stay in Vegas, we did a lot of walking at the mall and around the area by our hotel at the Palazzo. I was limping just a bit but I was able to walk for a few hours. I eventually got tired and had to sit down from time to time to stretch. On Sunday night, I stayed with another friend at her timeshare and it was the first time I went into the Hot Tub with my new ankle hardware! It felt just like the heated pool at PT except there were jets. I did my ankle exercises and the hot water felt really good and relaxing after a long day of walking.  I accidentally walked passed a jet and it blew against my scar area. I felt a quick pinch and it was definitely uncomfortable. Too much pressure, and my scar area still feels sensitive. My trip ended Monday night and my ankle is completely fine! That also meant, I had 2 days off from doing my ankle PT exercises. It was a nice break! I still did some stretches but that was all I had time for. No pain, just a bit of ache and more tired from walking. I'm so happy! 

Day 58 - Last Pool Class!

Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 - Week 16

I woke up feeling good on my ankle today. The only thing that bugged me was my ganglion cyst on my left wrist haha! It came back from using the one crutch. This time, it is bigger then ever! It irritated me and I sort of felt the pain of it squeezing against my nerves. I'll try not to use the crutch so much and will need to massage the wrist so it goes away. Dr. Lundy said that he could drain it for me with a needle but only if it really bothers me. I'm ok for now.

I still wore my ankle brace and used my 1 crutch to get to Physical Therapy. There's this hill that leads to my Physical Therapy and using a crutch will help me get up that hill just a bit faster.

I came in early and ready for the Pool Class. I can't believe it was going to be my last pool class! I was so happy! I got in the pool and no pain! I was able to take the warm up lap walking around the entire pool circle and not needing to stay in the deep end anymore for the weight support. I was able to do all of my exercises without any bar support as well! I've really improved and Serena can tell. She's so proud of me! I've kept up with my homework and listened to Serena and Colleen with the continued homework therapy I needed once out of there.

My scar is also starting to look better by the day. Maybe Cocoa butter is working? I still see a bit of the rash scarring, the dark spots around the scar. 

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 37 - Fourth Pool Class

Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 - Week 13

It's my fourth Pool Class! I drove myself to class again =) This makes my 4th day driving and I had no issues. I was still sore from walking around in 1 crutch grocery shopping and walking around the mini mall by my house yesterday. This time, I used the stairs to get into the pool. Serena taught me a few new exercise moves and this time around I was able to walk around the entire pool circle during warm up. The shallow side on the left I was able to manage and was strong enough to hold myself up without any issues. However, Serena preferred I say in the right side of the pool, deeper end so I don't hurt myself just to be safe. 45 minutes of class is enough, I was starting to turn into a prune after just 30 minutes!

I looked at my chicken leg again and it seems like the muscles are starting to come back! Serena said it would take about 8 weeks for it to fully come back. It's been about 5 weeks now, Nov. 21 was the day I got my cast off. You can still see the bruise on my right inside ankle. I think that just will never go away. There is still a bit of swelling on the top of the right foot arch too. I wonder if that will ever go down over time? I'll see what 8 weeks will look like soon. I've got my entire January of appointments set up for twice a week physical therapy. Serena said I may not need anymore Pool Classes by end of January? It'll be just all land sessions there on out. We'll see...


            Nov. 21                                           Dec. 17                                  Dec. 28

Day 26 - I walked today...without crutches!!!

Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 - Week 12

I went to my second Pool Class today and felt really good. No pain today either. My ankle and foot bottom felt really strong today. I still feel a bit sore from the weekend shopping though. So far so good.

I still have a chicken leg though. It appears I am gaining my muscle back from all the walking I've been doing.  I feel some muscle. Actually it looks like my left calf is getting more muscular and the right sort of look the same haha. I swear I feel the muscles when I flex my right calf. You can still see the bruising on the inside ankle. I wonder when that will go away.

                         15 Days Ago                                                      Today

My scar is also looking well. However, my skin is still a bit discolored from the rash I got around the area.

OMG!!!!!! Ok, so I was hungry for some dinner. I went downstairs and felt really good walking. I was just sick of moving my crutches around the kitchen and then I did it. I walked from the kitchen to the living room, back to the kitchen, and downstairs to lock the door to the yard! I was ok walking on stairs, still with rail assistance of course. My ankle is stronger then I thought hahaha. I just got too excited and needed to share the news! Time to text my friends =). I have a limp but I don't care! I walked without crutches! I am so happy! I feel so free!

Day 19 - First Pool Class

Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 - Week 11

I was so excited to start my first Pool Class! I got in to get ready for my 11:30am class. Right when I got in, two very nice assistants showed us the way to the pool. It was so nice inside! There was a changing area, bathrooms, and showers. We were told to get into the pool to wait for our teacher. It was nice and warm in there. I was told to stay on the right hand side of the pool because it was deeper. That meant less weight on my foot so there's no pain. I was excited to see assisting walking bars under water and to the side. I felt very safe. Serena who's been helping me is also the teacher for this class which I'm happy about. She walks in shortly and we start with a warm up to walk around the pool.

It felt soooo good to be able to walk without crutches for the first time since the day I got hurt about 2 months ago!!! I was so happy and everyone could tell. We had a small class, there were only 3 of us, Serena, and a student. Serena made sure to constantly check on each of our pain levels. I was completely fine. When I got to the left side, more shallow side, I felt the pressure coming onto my right ankle. Because of the shallow water, more of my weight was used. I thought maybe I can do it but I was too ambitious and really felt the pressure on my ankle. Then Serena suggested me to go back and stay in the right side for my safety and to not push myself. We did quite a few exercises. Making sure we're not forcing our movements through the water, rather letting the body flow into the movement so we don't hurt ourselves. Then she turned on some classical music which was helpful to distract any type of discomfort we had. It was just enough time in the pool, my fingers were actually starting to prune after about 45 minutes haha. Class came to an end and we were given a towel and a plastic bag for our wet bathing suits. They even turned on the hot showers for us to rinse off. Everyone's so nice and attentive, Serena constantly asked to make sure we were ok and not in pain. When we got out of the pool, they covered our shoulders to make sure we weren't cold. I had a lot of fun in the pool today. I'm very excited and look forward to my next pool class!