day 28

Things are definitely looking up. Day 25 was probably my lowest point. Every time I got up, the foot swelled. I was feeling better and wanting to do things, but didn't know how far I could push the swelling so just sat around semi-depressed and restless. I spoke to the nurses at my surgery clinic the next day and they said since I was 3 1/2 weeks out, it was time to start doing things - not that I can do a lot - the crutches kinda limit me. After that, I began getting up for longer and longer periods of time. The nurse said my foot needed to get used to getting rid of the swelling and to get up for a while, then go down, then up... She initially mentioned two hours up and I laughed, but now I am able to do that and things are fine. I swell, then elevate with small baggies of frozen peas wrapped araound my foot with ace bandages, then I get up again. It seems to be working. I also discussed with them that I wasn't doing my physical therapy as much as was recommended (3 to 5 times a day) because by the early evening, I was just too swollen and sore. She said the exercises are designed to reduce swelling and that I needed to do them more; I was doing once or twice a day. Now I'm doing three times and it does help. The only down side is that I need to take pain meds in the evening to get through them and I was so wanting to be done with those things. Anyway, that's where things are now. I'm happy with the progress and looking forward to possible partial weight-bearing in 13 days. Cross my fingers!

Pain 1 to little shooting pains in the toes that go to 3, swelling 1 to 4.

day 25

Up and down. I've been doing my physical therapy, but not 3 to 5 times a day as they say - really just once, sometimes twice a day. Part of that is because later in the day, the swelling is so bad that I really don't want to get up and just make it worse because it is pretty uncomfortable. Today I decided to try to do it at least twice a day. Since I was on the floor anyway, I added a few more things in. Tonight I did some crunches and oblique crunches. I was surprised I could even do two sets of 25 and 16 respectively because I've been such a slug. I wanted to do more, but don't want to overdo it.  I did more hamstring exercises and added in extra stretches. I'd like to do free weights but getting into a good neutral position when I'm sitting, one foot is higher than the other and I can't put weight on that one is kinda challenging. My metatarsals are hurting now (top of foot where they sliced them in two and fused them) so I hope I didn't accidentally put pressure on them. Have to be more careful.

My husband wanted to go out to dinner tonight but I said no. I just can't handle the thought of coming home all swollen and miserable. When I spoke to the nurse on Monday, they said to check back in in a few days. I didn't because I felt like I really didn't have a good handle on exactly how the foot felt. Now I do, so I'll call Monday again. My main question is about the swelling. Is it best to just power through and do things anyway, or should I just be patient and keep the swelling down? That means I'm down the vast majority of the day. I just don't want to mess this up, because, believe me, it is hell just sitting around and I want to get past this ASAP! It is so hard looking out at the georgeous day and I can't go be a part of it.

Pain today - 0 - 2, swelling 2 - 4

day 21 - later

Since I'm trying to keep an eye on swelling, I was looking closely at the foot and noticed something. Before surgery, I'd been walking on the side of my foot and the place the edge of my foot met the floor was exactly where I'd had my Jones fracture - so I was walking on the screw they used to fix it. That screw exactly lined up with the edge of my foot so not only was I walking on it, it was probably being pushed upwards just a teeny bit with every step. No wonder it hurt! That spot is now about 1/2 an inch up from where my foot will hit the floor. Weird. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out. Can't wait to walk!

day 21

Three weeks down today. Three weeks to go before possibly beginning weight-bearing.

I mentioned the amazingly annoying toe tingling and numbness on my last entry. The doc's office spent quite a bit of time on the phone with me on Monday and said they didn't hear anything that scared them. The nurse told me to elevate more aggressively and not to avoid the pain meds so much. She also had me talk to their pain management people who said there are nerve drugs I could take, but most people find the side effects worse than the tingling. Basically, the drugs make you dizzy and "stupid." You can't put sentences together and your brain is fuzzy. Plus, you have to take them constantly, not as needed. I opted out on that one. I also have not been monitoring swelling very well, so they want me to keep an eye on that. I just figured swelling wasn't much of an issue, but when I started paying attention to it, realized it is.  Yesterday I stayed down way more than I wanted to, elevated, took Tylenol in the day and one pain med at night. The tingling was a lot better. Then today, of course, I was in the process of sitting down and the right crutch kind of stuck under my arm. I fell backwards into my chair (luckily) and kind of smacked the foot on the ground as I fell. My foot has been more painful since then. Two steps forward, one step back. Part of the problem with elevating is that it works best for me to be on my left side. I have a body pillow lengthwise and put a pillow on top of that at the foot. My foot goes on top of that. It's not the most functional position. I can read, but web surfing, navigating the iPad... is difficult. TV works in that position though. Being on one side a lot of the day though is uncomfortable. I try to switch around, but feel the swelling coming back so end up back on my side.

I'm trying hard to accept my limitations and just roll with it, but it is hard. Keeping the attitude up can be a challenge. My poor dogs who are used to going to the dog park, for as long a walks as the foot could handle and everywhere in the car are pretty bored. My husband has done an excellent job getting them out, but it's different. They're used to variety. I tell them this is so eventually we can go hiking and for really long walks again. I was even to the point where I didn't think the foot could handle walking on the beach either, so I assume we will be able to do that again too. Just thinking about it gets me excited. Some day.

day 17

Things definitely are improving by the day. Went grocery shopping and that was fine. Doing things doesn't exhaust me as much. I think it's probably a combo of less meds (only taking one in the evening when the day starts catching up to me), and just getting used to the whole nonweightbearing rigamarole. It is a hassle, I tell you. Everything takes so much longer. That is so hard for me - I want to be up and going until I crash into bed and, obviously, I can't. My forefoot really starts to swell. Other than that, the toes and, to a much lesser degree, the forefoot are the only things that bother me now as far as side effects. I have a tremendous tingling in the toes which seems to be getting more consistent. Up until the last few days, I could get into certain positions and the tingling, numbness went away, but lately that doesn't seem to work as well. It drives me batty. That's the only reason I took a pain med last night. It wasn't so much pain I wanted to go away, it was that horrid electrical buzz zooming through my toes. Last night was one of the first nights I didn't sleep well.

Here I begin this entry with how things are getting better, then proceed to compain. I guess it's all relative. As far as improvement, though, I have come a long way. I got up late this morning, fed dogs, made eggs (first time I've cooked since surgery), then cleaned the kitchen and watched TV for a while. After that I showered, went to the store and now I'm home. That's the busiest day I've had and I don't even feel exhausted - Whoo Hoo!

The docs said I may be able to begin progressive weight bearing after my 6 week appointment on July 12, so I figure I'm over a third of the way there. I need to not get my hopes up too much because if I have to wait longer, it will be such a letdown. Hope for the best, understand the worst can happen.

Day 14 -evening

I've been trying to get off the pain meds today. I took a half pill at about 5:30 AM and no more until now, 7:30PM. Most of the day has been fine. The toes hurt now. The toe next to the big one is the achiest, but the 4th toe is situated in such a way that it digs the metal pin hanging out of it into the foam in the walking boot. This is with no weight bearing! I discovered it this morning when I took the boot off and it kinda ripped out of the foam. I didn't know what else to do, so I put the boot back on and called the dr. office. They didn't call back, and I looked at the toe about 2 hours later and it was so embedded in the foam, I couldn't get it out. No one was home, the toe was literally impaled into the foam, I called a neighbor who agreed to come over, but just then I got it out. I called the nurse again and she did call back and we talked about some options - including coming into the office tomorrow if I don't find a solution. I finally cut a small square of paper about the weight of a manila file folder and taped it to the spot with packing tape. So far, so good, but I haven't been too active today, so we'll see. Why do I always get the really weird issues?

Pain 3 - 4 in second toe, the rest is a 0!

Day 14

Two weeks. People are right, by this time, things are improving. I'd like to get off the pain meds, but still feel more than just uncomfortable in my toes. The one next to the big toe is the most painful. It is a sharp,somewhat throbbing pain. The other toes hurt, but that one is the worst. I'm taking 1/2 a Vicodin when it starts to get more than I want to deal with. All the other surgical site are, for the most part, ready to be off meds.

Pain 2 to 4 in toes only.

Day 13

Got the stitches out and a walking boot that I can't walk in yet. I was scared they'd try to put my foot at a 90 degree angle because a lot of people have said their docs did that, but they didn't. It stung when the stitches came out. I was glad when it was over. Then they cleaned up the foot a bit, put on some steri strips and sent me on my way with a new cast.

I must admit, I was shocked when the cast came off. The strangest part was the missing little toe. I have cursed that toe for years and it has gotten worse and worse lately, but it was still weird to see it gone. My toes were straight and surprisingly long (who knew that they were long when they were all curled up?) but they were all lumpy with stitches and covered in dried blood. Definitely NOT a pretty foot! The arch was - dare I say it - perfect. It was like those arches you see on foot models that I'm always so jealous of because I know they are functional. I can't wait to see the foot in six months. It really is still Frankenfoot. Two sets of stitches on the outside, one at the heel for the calcaneal osteotomy, one kind of mid foot for the fusion. The toes, like I said, are the worst. Stitches on top of the foot, about mid way, then stitches on the leg where they lengthened the Achilles. Actually, I think there was one more set of stitches running along the outside along the Achilles. Wow! Lots of stuff!

Pain 2

Day 12

Am now home! It feels good. I think my parents were ready to be back to their normal routine too. I can't blame them. It's hard enough having visitors for 10 days, it's got to be a lot harder having an invalid. I took one extra pain pill for the trip home, which made me groggy, but at least not too painful. The toes are tingling and maybe hurting a little over 2 but not quite to 3. The dogs are happy. I was a little nervous they'd knock me off my feet, but they were good and subdued. The lab, Ferguson, just wanted to lick my exposed toes. Not the best idea.

Today has been a good day. I was up for about 20 minutes for breakfast - probably most of that sitting, but the foot was below the heart. I rested until the husband showed up, then up for 20 minutes more, into the car with foot up again, last into the house to collapse in my much missed favorite recliner. Ahhh. Good to be home. I'm, of course, hoping the "good day" today is a trend, but know enough to understand it may not be.

When I look back at other blogs, I notice those people were up and doing limited activities way before me. They were half my age, too. Anyway, it makes me wonder about my activity level. I just think that, for me, being careful now will pay off in the end. When I'm up and the foot starts to complain, I go down. I figure what's three months (or more) for the rest of my life? So I'm cautious.

Pain level 1 - not quite 3

Day 11

I've been living with my folks since the surgery as they have more time to help me, but tomorrow I'm going home. That is exciting for many reasons. I've missed my husband and dogs and just my home. I'm ready to be back in my space. It's a bit scary because my husband works long hours and I know, whether he's there or not, I'll end up doing more and I know that means swelling and pain.

I've been up more today. I had my second shower (woo hoo!), packed a few things and moved about a bit. We'll see how the foot feels after that. Last shower day was rough by the end of the day.

So, how does the foot feel? I'm still on two Tylenol every six hours and, 90% of the time, one 5 mg Oxycodone. Occasionally I take two. I take the Oxy every 3 to 4 hours. If I wait longer than 4 hours, I still get too much breakthrough pain. Amazing! I've had a lot of surgeries - one was a four step gut surgery done over about eight months. I was always off the meds after a week. Not so this time. If I'm up for 20 minutes or so, the foot begins to swell a bit and my toes get tingly. I also get a burning in the toe next to the big one - all toes except the big one have metal pins hanging out of them to keep the toes straight. Usually the outside of the foot by the ankle bone aches, but today the inside hurt. Weird. I am also getting occasional heel pain. That ends to be sharp and stabbing. None of this pain is unbearable except for the time I think I forgot my meds. The pain is the thing that reminds me not to overdo it. Last night my leg twitched and shuddered inside the cast and that hurt! It took a bit of deep breathing to relax and get back to sleep. Unlike some people, I've slept pretty well. I can usually sleep anywhere, anytime, so I didn't anticipate sleep issues, but you never know.

Pain - 2

Day 10

Time is beginning to be measured in pill doses and movies. It's such a hard thing to accept - doing nothing. I usually go from the second I wake up until I collapse in bed. If only there were a way to even out the "do nothing" times with the "do too much" times. So, the inability to do things in spite of the desire to do them is still the hardest part of this. When I broke this foot - the event that eventually led to reconstructive surgery - I remember the same thing. Once I could put weight on the foot, there was no stopping me. I got lots of curious looks walking two large dogs in the parks, grocery bags tied on my cast because of the incessant Seattle rain. The dogs and I were happy as clams to finally be out and about again. I don't think I'll be able to walk as quickly after this one. It sounds like baby steps will be the prescription.

Last night was rough at first. I don't know if I forgot a pill dose or not. The pain slowly got worse, I could feel a tremendous swelling in the pad on the ball of my foot, the cast felt tight (for the first time) and eventually the pins in one toe felt as if someone were shoving burning metal into the toe. Yeeeowch!!!! At first, I tried to combat it with elevation, some isometric exercises and not moving. Once the pins began hurting, I finally took more meds and, viola, the pain went away. I don't know why I resist or forget totally about taking more meds. Actually, I do know. They are a necessary evil.

Pain level - last night - 5 to 6, this morning - 2.

Day 9

I take it back! Now that the pain medicines are lowered to one 500 Oxy every 4 hours, standing up is "grit your teeth" painful. I'm getting to the point where I want to get up and do things but the foot is getting in the way. How dare it! Yesterday I was up for about 1/2 an hour in the morning - not totally up - I made oatmeal, sat while it cooked, did a few little things, sat and ate, then hit the wall. I had to go back to bed for three hours before the pain even began to subside. It wasn't,t a 10, but probably a 4 with some throbbing and tingling thrown in for good measure. I could have downed more pain meds, but wanted to see if I could do the lower dose and also understand there has to be some discomfort with this - it goes with the territory.
So I called in pain med refills and asked the guy about the whole management of pain thing. He said taking too much makes you think you are better than you are and taking too little = pain. You probably want to be uncomfortable, but not in pain. That made sense to me. So we'll try that with my mind still working on getting off these things because they kinda suck. I've taken left over pain meds for things here and there and that's ok, but this nonstop, every day thing is a drag. My head is loopy, I have a sour feeling in my stomach and I just feel "ugh,"
Never got my shower yesterday. I'm staying with my folks because my husband works long hours and we have a high maintenance household of big, energetic dogs and lots of stairs. My mom has ended up having some unexpected health issues beginning with a flu the day I arrived and progressing to either a bizarre medicine reaction or a mini stroke and there hasn't been a lot of time or energy for anything other than the most basic "feed me" type things. Yesterday she came home from the hospital MUCH improved, but I certainly wasn't going to insist on a shower because there were some logistical things she needed to help me with like getting my yoga pants over this humongous first cast. Hopefully today!

Pain level so far today - 2

8 days and counting

Last night I went down to one Oxy every 4 hours. So far, so good. I'm still on Tylenol every 6 hours. The pain when I put my foot down is still there - a bit worse than before, but not unbearable. Maybe a 5. It goes away pretty quickly - a surge, you can feel the blood rushing in, then it settles down. I got the impression I'd be screaming. For me, it's more like I endure it - no clenched teeth or anything - then it goes away.
As far as doing routine things, yesterday I washed my hair, today I hope to shower. Yuck! A week without showering. Pretty gross. I just didn't think I could manage it before. I think if it weren't for the whole swelling thing, I'd be up more. But swelling brings pain, pain is bad, so I stay down and elevated.
For mobility aids, I have the good old crutch and a knee scooter. The knee scooter was hard to find and I could not find one with a basket, but it is helpful when you need to move more than just to the bathroom. I asked about a wheelchair because a lot of people said one with an elevated leg thing is useful. The physical therapist said she thought I'd find it to be more trouble than it's worth. I'm still not so sure about that. Back to the knee scooter. When I broke my foot a while ago and needed surgery, they sent this long red one. It was way too long to negotiate our house, which is an old basic farmhouse - no wide hallway and big doorways. It just sat unused until I returned it. I might have used it outside, but it was winter with ice, my husband was working out of town and I just didn't want to chance it. I made sure I got a short (as in length) one this time and it works. I can see it being more useful than crutches because you have more use of your hands plus it is easier to use.

Pain 2 to 3.

7 days out

Surgery was last Tuesday. I,m calling this 7 days out because in my pain killer induced phase, I counted wrong earlier so, what the hay, I'll go with that.
My pain level is still manageable. I've been trying to cut down the dosage and/or increase time between dosages and my pain level has definitely gone up. I began with three 500 Oxycontins every three hours and two Tylenol every six hours. Yesterday I took the Oxy out to every four hours with a bit of increase in pain, but I was also up and about more. Today my goal is two Oxys every four hours, but ended up taking two more after three and a half hours as it was hurting too bad - maybe up to a four. I also forgot my Tylenol because I found it sitting on my dressing table. Since I wasn't totally sure it was the most recent dose, I'm waiting until the next six hour dose to take it because Tylenol is not something you want to double up on. It's nice taking less Oxy because it makes me feel pretty bad. My stomach gets sour, I'm delirious and just feel generally yucky. I hate pain mess, though, so will take them if I have to.
Today I'm noticing more swelling - I guess because I've been up more, but "up more" is relative. Maybe a total of thirty minutes spread out through yesterday. Add physical therapy, which I do in bed, to that, but that's not too time consuming yet.
The most comfy position for my foot seems to be on my side, clutch a body pillow to me, pile two thick pillows under the lower leg and keep semi-still. When I'm on my back, things get a bit tingly and I don't like that.
I hope this detail helps someone. I've tried to include things I wondered as I prepared for this. I know the blogs helped a lot. I found tons of things out there on flat foot reconstruction, but not a lot on high arch reconstruction.
Oh yeah - the doctors did end up doing all five procedures they talked about. I think they added one more tendon transfer, but am not sure.

Pain level last night an average of 2, today an average of 3.

day 5

I'm home from surgery. I am doing this on the cell phone, and am not sure it will even post, so will make it short. The biggest surprise is I am not in the pain I was scared of. Maybe a 2 average. Second, the sitting around is making me NUTS and, last, I truly hate the pain meds, but know I need them. Will try to get the damn iPad that I bought to blog on enabled to blog.

pain level 1 to 3