At some point I barely opened my eyes in the recovery room and realized surgery was over. But I must've dozed off again because the next thing I know I'm in the patient room. I was finally awake around 11 p.m. I had on a soft cast which was pretty comfortable, as it was much lighter than before. In the morning, the occupational therapist came by to teach me how to use a walker. I found it to be way easier than crutches, not to mention much safer. Later, the physical therapist showed me the correct way to use crutches. Turns out she had to re-size them again! Initially they were fitted when I had my Dr's appointment on the 9th. So who knows who's right about the size and fit. By 1 p.m. my OS and PA came by to check up on me. I was told I have a plate and 6 screws on my fibula, a syndesmosis screw holding together my tibia and fibula (which may or may not break later), and 2 screws on my tibia. Thankfully OS said my surgery went well. More good news was that I was able to go home later that day. Later around 3 p.m. PT came back as she was going to teach me how to use the crutches up and down the stairs. But the minute I sat up, I was in serious pain! I couldn't move a muscle. I was immediately given Vicodin and told to rest. Later around 5:00 p.m. they released me from the hospital.

Over the next few weeks, I managed to get around with a wheeled office chair (learned this from someone on this site :)). It made life that much easier. What troubled me most was trying to go up and down the stairs. I always got stuck mid-level where I'm turning and can't figure out how to get up that one step where there are no handles! Eventually I settled for crawling on my knees going up and my bum going down. I now realize I shoul've gotten some kneepads and gel-padded gloves for this as I'm developing calluses everywhere! Still, I feel much safer this way...

As far as hygiene is concerned, I've been lucky to have found this small plastic desk chair (for kids) my son used to use. It's perfect for the bathtub because it's lower. Thus, my knee is raised, allowing water to drip down my right thigh. My bl is raised on a towel on the toilet outside the shower curtain, so it's impossible for my cast to get wet. When brushing my teeth I just use a chair in front of the sink and place my bl knee on it for support. This works perfectly as we bl'ers tire so easily...

My main frustration is not being able to enjoy my own gourmet (lol) food. To say I love food is an understatement. All I do is drool watching food network and food sites. Cooking and entertaining is a pleasure for me. The hubby rarely ever cooks (but it's a good thing). All he makes are scrambled eggs and sandwiches, not up to par. Thankfully, both my m-i-l and sister comes over regularly to bring me great home cooked meals. On the brighter side of this bl, I'm eating healthier than ever. I've greatly reduced my suger intake (partly due to the fact I can't bake now) and now snack on apples, bananas, dried nuts, and eat lots of greens. In the mornings, I try to whip up a quick smoothie with my handy hand-held blender. I also quit drinking coffe and soda (since they rob me of calcium). Coffee was comforting to me and it used to be my morning ritual. Shockingly I was just able to quit cold turkey without any side effects.

So far I hadn't really needed to take Hydrocodone for pain. As long as my leg was elevated, I felt fine. The minute it's down is when I feel like I have a bear claw trap on my ankle!

May 21
Today I had to take x-rays, so sadly, they removed my comfortable soft cast and replaced them with an air cast boot. Pros: removeable, adjustable. Cons: very uncomfortable, hurts my ankle. For the most part, I kept them on as it kept me safe. But I could not sleep most nights because of it! The boot is so bulky and cumbersome. In time I learned (from this site) the inside boot was removeable. So from then on I slept like a baby with just the soft boot on at night. Little did I know this was not something the Dr had wanted me to do! Note to self: ask more questions during Dr appts. I learned this later at my next appointment. Supposedly, in my case, I'm to wear this whole uncomfortable boot 24/7 (removed only during temporary stretching exercises). Still, after knowing this, I cheated and slept without the hard boot at night; otherwise, I'm up all night! But I've had many sleepless nights due to sharp pain at the arch of my foot, restless leg syndrome (which I've had prior to bl), and achy thigh (probably due to muscle atrophy). I've tried hot patches for arthritis and heating pads. Both have helped a little but not enough to put me to sleep. Reluctantly, I went back and took half a hydrocodone pill every night just to get some zzz's...