Staples Out! Split Off! Purple Cast On!!!

Today I went in for my first post op appointment.  It has been 18 days since my surgery.  Having the splint taken off felt so nice.  I was able to move my ankle around a bit and wiggle my toes.  The incision wound looked really good.  It was swollen but not too bad and there wasn't any bruising.  After having the splint taken off the nurse removed my surgical staples.  They look like real staples and weren't very comfortable to have removed.  Luckily my doctors office told me to take a percocet prior to coming in.  After the staples were taken out the nurse wiped off my leg and toes with rubbing alcohol.  She didn't clean around the incision.  I was surprised there wasn't more blood around the incision wound, there wasn't any really!  After that, I had x-rays taken and the doctor came in to see me.  Both the doctor and nurse told me how good everything looked!  They said they could tell I have been following orders and not over doing it.  I will go back in a few weeks and have another cast put on and then on August 12th, I will have my cast removed and will be able to walk!!!!!  Until then I will be on crutches and not allowed to put any weight on it.

The first photo is with staples, the second is with them removed.

It feels so great to have the splint off and the new cast on.  The fiberglass cast is so much lighter and less bulky.  Its really amazing.  I am still going to stay around the house and keep it elevated.  I am following my doctors orders.  I think that is so important.  I could see how tempting it would be to go out and do something right now, but I want to keep the swelling down and I want it to keep getting better!

16 Days Down!

So this begins my 16th day after surgery on my peroneal tendons.  I am doing much better and able to get around the house more.  Tylenol has been sufficient for my pain, and I have become a pro on crutches.  Tomorrow I go in for my first post op appointment.  I will have my staples removed and a new cast put on. I am really looking forward to seeing my incision wound and getting a new cast put on.  This splint it hot and heavy!

I waited until summer to have this surgery done.  It was kind of my only option.  It really sucks though :).  I live in Maine and it has been unseasonably warm.  Perfect weather to go to the beach or go swimming.  But I am stuck indoors which is hot!  So if you can choose when you want to have your surgery, I would do it during a season where you don't mind being inside.

My biggest complaint with my ankle is the swelling.  You really have to keep it elevated or it swells right up.  It feels like it is going to explode sometimes.  If I am on my feet for 5 minutes, it becomes extremely uncomfortable.  I am looking forward to that going away.

One other struggle with this surgery is how you lose your independence.  You really need someone around to help you get a bowl of cereal, or do certain things for you.  Luckily my husband is on break and he is around and very helpful.  But its nice to be able to do a few things by yourself, so here are my newest tips...

-Make sure you have a Nalgene water bottle.  These are easy to fill and you can hold it by the loop with you crutch back to bed or the couch.

-Have popsicles around!  I read this in someone else's blog and it has been a huge help!  It is a sweet treat that you can grab yourself and take with you.  Plus they just taste good.  I recently got Edy's Blueberry with Acai.  They taste really good and have antioxidants, which is important while you heal!

-Use a little backpack or shoulder strap bag.  This way you can take things with you around the house.  It is extremely helpful.

- Here is a picture of my splint.  Really looking forward to a cast.  You can see the foam pillow the hospital gave me.  It has been a lifesaver.  During the day I put another pillow on top to get more elevation.  If you doctor doesn't give you one of these, I recommend going out and finding something similar.  My leg never falls out while I am sleeping and I get more elevation than using a stack of bed pillows!