Sunday, January 23, 2011 - My First Day Out - Out is Overrated

Sunday, January 23, 2011 - My First Day Out - Out is Overrated:

I met and talked with a physical therapist about my foot.  His name is Will.  He took a look at it for me too. Said it didn’t look too bad. If it were broken or ligaments/tendons totally torn and disconnected it would be a lot more swollen and bruised. I asked him if he thought it might be a high sprain and he said not from what he could tell (Thanks for the info Nicole!). He said I would just need time to heal and I should probably start trying to move it at least a little front to back so it doesn’t freeze up. He said I could take the big cast off, but I still needed support for the ankle, I should wrap it with the ace bandage to help push the swelling out, keep it elevated and ice it down (which helps with pain). He said elevating, wrapping and Aleve will help with swelling and the ice and Aleve will help with the pain. He said it would probably take 2 weeks or more before I could walk on it, but to keep trying to see how far I could go with it.  He said to continue to use the crutches too – and gave me additional instructions for using them and resized them for me.  Glad to know I’ll be ok.  =) 

He came back later today and brought some pads for the ankle bones to use the next time I rewrap it, to protect and support the bones.  He also brought a picture of a stirrup type brace for us to go get at K-Mart or something and said to use all the time to stabilize my ankle – since I didn’t bring any shoes … nothing that would support the ankle anyway. House calls!  Just like Royal Pains (no pun intended!).  

The wrapping has really help to take and push the swelling out. The bruising is coming out…nice pretty colors of the rainbow! Those bags of carrot and peas are working great for icing it down!

We decided to go down to the pool today.  This would be my first time out of the condo since the accident. I’m not looking forward to traversing those stairs…down or back up. Plus there is a little bit of a downhill slant in the ground walking to the pool.  I can just see myself tripping and taking another tumble!  Gerald gets all the stuff in the beach bag and we head out the door.  Gawd…3 flights is a LONG way down!  I try sitting and taking each step that way…but the steps are too wide and it’s more trouble than it’s worth.  So I grab one crutch and hop down a step and use the crutch as support.  That works better, but I have to stop every once in a while because heaving this bodyweight is not something I’m used to. 

We get to the bottom of the stairs – finally – and now it’s smooth sailing to the pool! HA! I have to be careful. Going downhill with these crutches you can build up some momentum … that’s what I’m afraid of … so I have to stop myself occasionally. I’m still not too skilled with these big sticks either. Will said the crutches should not be out wide, but almost perpendicular with my body and to take small steps.  That’s fine for him…but my hips are as wide as my shoulders and when I keep the crutches close to my side and try to swing through…my wide load derriere gets caught between them and I can’t swing though! Not good. Momma has to keep the wide stance so the booty has room to swing freely! I’ll just have to keep traversing the hallway sideways … like a crab!   

Well, we made it to the pool ok without further injury or incidence. We get all the stuff out and settled in, Gerald gets in the pool…and guess what?  I have to go to the bathroom. Seriously! I’m like a little kid! I couldn’t’ have gone before I left? And the worst part is…there is no restroom down here…so I have to go all the way back up to the condo … up hill…up 3 flights of stairs! O…M…G…!  PACK IT UP GERALD…WE’RE GOING BACK! I can’t believe this!

So I make it up the hill ok…but cringe when I get to the stairs. Gawd…3 flights.  Once again scooting is more painful that it’s worth…so it’s one crutch, hop, heave – crutch, hop, heave.  I was absolutely worn out by the time I got to the top of the stairs.  Sweating, breathing heavy… I could hardly move and I still had to make it down the narrow hallway!  Ugh!!!

Well, after that ordeal, I’m not going back down. Instead I choose to take a shower and then a nap…I was just worn out!  And I don’t think I’m going back out until I have to go to the doctor’s office. Those 3 flights are killer!

Well, it’s suppertime now and we’re going to watch the football game tonight.  I feel like I gotta root for the Bears ... but I know my Cheesehead nephew Justin it watching too! Good luck Cheesehead!