Passing Go

Three days ago marked four months since I had my surgery. At seven weeks post op (a whole week early!!) my cast was removed and I took my very first steps with my 'new' foot. As Dr. Pomeroy and my mother expectantly watched me put weight on my foot for the first time, tears pouring down my face. After 2 months of hard work, following careful instructions, and dealing with the pain and other challenges of surgery, I felt such relief as I realized I could start to use my foot again, that my journey to recovery had finally taken a giant leap forward.

In the pre-op visit to the office Dr. Pomeroy told me I "would hate him by the third month", and I can't say I disagree. Month three was frustrating, challenging, and painful. After putting weight on my foot for the first time, I went through a several week process of ditching my crutches. I had to get back on a mild narcotic for the pain, though these days ibuprofen and tylenol seem to do the trick. Mornings were the worst part of the day. There were days when I didn't want to get out of bed, when the idea of going to class made me want to curl up into a ball and cry rather than face the pain of walking and moving around. But I forced myself to get up and face that pain, often having my ankle so swollen by the end of the day that I couldn't even microwave my dinner and I faced my fear. 

A tip for all you patients out there, buy Ace Reusable Cold Compress, the kind with the fabric on the outside. Buy 3 or 4. Ice packs were often the only thing keeping me going and they made a HUGE difference. Pace yourselves. This is a long healing process and it certainly doesn't happen overnight. Getting your cast off at week seven or eight is not a magical healing card, you do not pass go and you don't get the $200. You work your butt off, dealing with pain and frustration that most people will not understand, not even Dr. Pomeroy. 

I still have a long way before I am fully healed but I can finally see that light at the end of this miserable tunnel. This surgery has taught me a lot about patience and trust. I have learned about being your own advocate and learned to trust in my doctor, even when it didn't always seem like the sane thing to do. I encourage you to ask questions, even if they seem silly. To you, they can be the most important thing discussed at a visit, even if your doctor doesn't think so. Understanding both the procedure and the aftermath is your most important asset for this surgery, even if that means searching the internet for someone like me who can help you fill in the blanks your doctor can't.

My Final cast!

At four months, I am now back in the saddle and enjoying being able to ride with minimal pain.

This is the first photo of my seven week foot, complete with the hair of an unshaved leg! That's right ladies, you won't get to shave your legs for the full 7-8 weeks and your leg will be gloriously hairy after all is said and done! Of course the first thing I did when I got home was break out the razor and get rid of the over grown hair :)

On the way home from having my cast removed! My incisions are healing nicely now and have faded from the deep pink. Over time they will become less prominent, I promise. The dry skin takes far less time to heal thankfully.