Over the last week, I have begun to feel more comfortable with moving about and courageous because I have a hard cast on. I think mentally it makes me feel like my foot/ leg is safe because of the hard cast. I have been able to slowly start to become a little more independent – I’ve started to sleep in the bed instead of on the couch, I have attempted to make my own coffee in the morning, I went out to dinner twice! It’s all about the baby steps.
My motivation to do things has started to come back a little more. Don’t get me wrong, the majority of my time is still spent on the coach bing watching horrible tv but I have picked up a new book and started to read, I started planning a summer vacation to Nova Scotia, I started planning next years vacation out to Oregon… little things that I didn’t want to do before but that are encouraging. It’s good to look forward to something. Things like this help some days… but some days nothing helps and it’s back to the why me phase.
I do have a new sensation in my foot lately mostly right before bed. First, I feel like the staples are still in but that’s due to the location is the incision. And now, my foot feels really big and the cast feels very tight. It’s all that blood rushing back into my foot after being non- weight bearing! It’s like my leg and foot are pressing against the cast and I have no room to wiggly my foot/ toes around. And my leg is itchy… oh so very itchy!! Eek! One thing that actually helps is ice… and I have found that yes, the cool from an ice pack can be felt through a hard cast!
Something I never thought I’d take for granted was a shower. For the week after surgery, the last thing I wanted to do was shower – it wasn’t even on my mind. The pain and being uncomfortable was too intense. Now, fast forward three weeks, I try and shower when I can. It’s not easy… still can’t stand up or get my cast wet. So here’s how I do it: plastic garbage bag over the cast, ace bandage over the top of the plastic bag up my leg a little, a plastic stool in the shower to sit on and thankfully a detachable shower head. It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it.
Another thing never to take for granted: Friends. Friends are so important during this time. I need people to vent to about anything and everything. Sometimes it’s important that they just listen. Other times I need advice. And there are even times, that I want them to agree with me regardless of how crazy I sound.
I also created a Facebook & IG post asking for advice and tricks, tips for pushing through during this time of injury. I found all the advice to be incredibly beneficial. It made me feel I’m not alone and helped me mentally. Especially knowing so many people care. Friends & Family are my rock during this time. I don’t know what I would do without everyone ❤
Only a couple more days before my next doctor visit!
one more mile 