1 Month Post-Op

Today went well.  I'm sleeping well at night, and things seem to be progressing well.  I ended up walking about a mile today, which I handled pretty well.  I also biked 24 min.  The rest of the day was pretty low key.  I did my PT several times.  It's getting easier to shower and change the dressing.  Changing the dressing has evolved over the past month.  Currently it's simply changing the band-aid.  Hopefully in another week or 2, that won't even be necessary.  The part base portion of the wound seems to be improving (less of a blister and more of a scab), but still has a little ways to go.

Chicago Trip and Blister Discovery

Today was the cross country team's trip to Chicago.  We took the train up in the morning, went for a run, ate, explored, and then headed back.  I knew I was in a little over my head today, but I ended up pulling it off (it did get ugly at times).

We set up camp at millennium park/the bean.  While the girls ran, I watched their stuff.  During this time I also did my PT.  After the run, we hiked 1.2 miles to the Portillo's.  This was the furthest I've walked in weeks (if not months).  We kept the pace nice and slow, and I was able to manage without much strain.

After Portillo's the girls split up into groups and we let loose.  Due to my injury, I decided to fly solo (that, and the fact that I really have no interest in spending hours shopping at Forever 21).  After lunch I felt pretty good, and thought I might do a little shopping/walking around.  However, I quickly realized that wasn't going to happen.  After about 3 or 4 blocks my heel started to ache pretty bad (the pain was more on the bottom of the heel).  I felt like the pain crept up pretty quickly.  I didn't want to push it any further so I found a Starbucks and spent the next several hours there.  I took off the boot for part of the time, elevated it, and even went through my PT again.  I eventually had to suck it up and walk back to the train station with the rest of the team.  This really wasn't too bad; probably because I had rested for about 3 hours.  Throughout the course of the day I probably walked around 3 miles.

When I got back home I took a shower and changed the dressing.  On the 28th (previous blog post), I was getting a little concerned about how the area around the bottom of the wound was getting tender and kind of whitish.  After further examination, I am almost certain that it's a blister.  This makes sense; the symptoms match much more closely to a blister than an infection.  Additionally, the timeline matches with the transition from the cyro-cuff to the boot liner.  Hopefully it heals quickly.

On a side note, I appear to have a rash near my outer ankle.  I'm not sure what it's from.  I'd guess that it's irritated from the band-aid, sock, boot all rubbing together.

4 Weeks Post-Op! Day 28 Recap - Mon, July 28, 2014 (pics)

Wow.  It's hard to believe today marks the 4 week mark.  It gone by pretty quickly.  My foot felt much better today than yesterday.  I wore the cyro-cuff in the morning, but took it off around 11:00am, and didn't wear it the rest of the day.  I did my physical therapy today, and biked about 4 miles along side the girls when they were running.

I did change the dressing (it's much easier to shower with the stitches out, and being able to handle putting a little more weight on the foot), and took some pics.  I am a little concerned about how the base of the heel is feeling and looking.  It feels extra sensitive/tender, and it kinda looks like something might be going on (it almost looks like some sort of white ring has formed around it).  I'm not sure if it's a possible infection or what.  Hopefully it goes back to normal soon.  I will continue to monitor it.

Day 27 Recap - Sun, July 27, 2014

Today was unexpectedly rough.  I felt like I had been doing well, so when it was hurting, I felt a little bummed. 

On the plus side, I decided to the join the Y today.  Although I do most of my exercising at crown point (the high school I teach at), I thought it might be worth having access to the workout facilities that the Y offers.  Since I won't be running a whole lot anytime soon, the thought of being able to bike, swim, weight lift, etc sounded worth it.  Hopefully it pays off. 

Today I bike about 4 miles, and also did some light lifting.  I've also been doing my assigned PT throughout the day.

Day 26 Recap - Sat, July 26, 2014 (2 pics)

Slept well last night in the Holiday Inn.  Drove back to Valpo in the morning, and just laid low the rest of the day.  I changed out the cyro-cuff so that I just had the normal liner in.  I don't think it's as comfortable, so I'm trying to get used to it.  Foot seemed a little more sore today, but nothing concerning.

Did the physical therapy.  It went well.

Below are two pics that I took today.  The wound looks a little better than yesterday.  I am a little concerned about the green color.  It just doesn't look normal.

NO Stictches Pics - Day 25 Recap

Today was a busy day.  I had xc practice in the morning (I didn't bike because it was help at lemon lake).  When I got back to Valpo, I showered, and did my 10th dressing change (see pics below).  I then drove up to Michigan for a Melissa and Greg's wedding.  Jodi was already there, so I drove up on my own.  The wedding was nice.  I wouldn't really call it dancing, but I was on the dance floor for a little bit (boot was on).  A majority of the time was spent in my chair at the table.  Towards the end of the night, my foot was feeling achy.  I am down to about 90% walking with no crutches.  Overall, good day.

First Post-Op Appointment & First PT Session - Day 24 Recap - Thurs, July 24, 2014

Sleeping has been continuing to improve.  I've been massaging around my heel, and that seems to be helping.

Today was my first day back to see Dr. Porter since the surgery.  They usually do a 2 week post-op check-up, but he was out of town, so mine was scheduled a little later.

The first thing thing that happened was the assistant removed the stitches, talked with me about how things were going, and then I got an x-ray.

Dr. Porter then came in for the post-op exam.  He looked at the wound, and was very impressed with how well it was doing.  He said it was healing very well, and he was impressed with the lack of inflammation and bruising.  He measured my dorsiflexion angle, and recorded it in the notes.  I'm guessing it will be a something that he will continue to monitor as I continue my rehab.  Porter then showed me the x-ray and explained how my heel bone was shaved down, where the Achilles attaches the heel bone (he explained that he attached it to a larger portion of the heel bone to help minimize the chances of it bothering me in the future).  Finally, he pointed out the anchors that used were used to attach the achilles to the base of the heel.

Dr. Porter gave me some additional info regarding my rehab.  He said that I no longer need to use crutches or the cryo-cuff (my plan is to not go cold turkey, but I'm going to continue to wean off both of those).  I can also continue to bike.  He did clear me to swim, and do some lifting (upper body lifting, and also some leg work (leg curls, leg extensions).  The PT will also go over some of the exercises that I need to do.

Overall, it seemed like Porter gave me a glowing review.  I'm glad everything seems to be going well.

Right after my appointment with Dr. Porter, I went to physical therapy.  The physical therapist was very nice, and give me a list of exercises to work through.  Because I won't be back until Aug 14th (3 weeks), she gave me exercises for not just the immediate future, but also for the next several weeks.

I was expecting the first session to be much more painful, but it really wasn't bad.  My main concern was the seated heel raises.  My Achilles wasn't bad, but my calf was.  Below is the list of excersises that I am supposed to be doing at this time...

Seated Heel Raises (50 per day...can be split up throughout the day)
Plantar Flexor Stretching

Ankle Range of Motion (plantarflexion, inversion, eversion)
Single Leg Balance In Boot (1-2 times per day for 60 seconds)
Toe Curls (in boot)

I also need to start desensitize the incision.  I am supposed to massage my foot area, and scar.  I also am supposed to rub different types of material on the foot/wound (cotton balls, silk, corduroy, wool, etc).  I guess it's a way to start to transition my foot back to normal.

I'm glad everything went well today.  Feeling good about stuff.

Day 22 Recap - Tues, July 22, 2014 (9th dressing change) - pics

Last night was so-so I was able to fall asleep, but woke up around 4:00am, and struggled to get back to sleep.

For practice today, the team ran at the dunes.  I brought my bike, and biked next to them.  I was a little nervous that I might have a breakdown and be stranded, but everything worked out.  I'd say I got in around 4.5 miles.  It was slow since I was biking while the girls were running.

I am getting a bit more confident walking around with no crutches.  I'd say I'm around 75%.  My foot still sometimes aches if I'm on it for too long.  I just don't want to overdue it.

I changed the dressing today for the first time in a couple of days.  The bruising and swelling continue to improve.  All pics were after the shower.

Day 21 Recap (3 weeks) - Monday, July 21, 2014

The past few days have been so-so.  I started to have some pain during the night again, so I did a little research, and realized I'm not alone.  My best solution has been to massage around my heel/ankle.  I've done it past few days and it's made the night much more bearable.  Hopefully

The past few days have been pretty low key.  Try to do my best to stay off my feet, and only run minimal errands.  I am still using one crutch and the cryo cuff.  I am starting to get more comfortable with walking around using just the boot, but I'm still not all-in.  Hopefully within the next few days.

Another thing...I didn't bike between last Friday and today.  I got in 4 miles today on the stationary bike.  I really think the bike helps.  It usually feels much better after the bike.  I'm guessing it helps loosen up the muscles.

It's crazy to think I had the surgery 3 week ago.  It's been a trying couple of weeks, but I believe I'm on the right track.  I have my first post-op follow-up.  I'm excited to hear what the doctor says.

Day 18 Recap - Friday, July 18, 2014 (8th dressing change) - pics

I was pretty nervous about the sleeping because the night before didn't go well.  To my delight, I had a good night and slept well.  Today was good.  I had xc practice in the morning, and then I biked 5 miles (a little over 20 min).  I ran a couple of small errands during the day, and then I laid low the rest of the afternoon/evening.  I took some updated pics below.  It seems like the swelling and bruising are getting better.  The very bottom portion of the incision is still not fully healed (I'm hypothesizing that this was what was bothering me the other night...but I don't know).  The last 3 pics were taken after the shower.

Day 17 Recap - Thursday, July 17, 2014

Rough night last night.  My foot felt really achy, and struggled to sleep.  I'm pretty bummed about it because I had done well the last few days.  Two steps forward, one step backward.  The day was much better.  I had xc practice in the morning, and then I went and laid around at my parents house for most of the day.  I then went back to CPHS for track club/evening practice.  I also got in 5 miles on the stationary bike (a little over 20 min).

Day 16 Recap - Wednesday, July 16, 2014 (7th dressing change) - pics

Slept relatively well last night.  The do not seem to be an issue any longer.  I went to cross country practice in the morning.  Got in 4 miles of biking (18 min).  Felt good.  Drove back home afterwards, and laid low the rest of the day.  I was able to get in a long overdue shower.  The wound seems to be healing well.  It does look like the very bottom part of the wound is still not fully healed (see pics).  The swelling and bruising is still present, but continues to improve.  For whatever reason during the afternoon my foot started aching.  I took one aleve, and that seemed to do the trick.  After two busy days, it was nice to relax a little today. Last two pics were taken after the shower.

Day 15 Recap - Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Busy day today.  Went to xc practice in the morning, and then spent the day at the high school.  In the evening (6:00-7:30), I we had a xc family potluck in the evening.  I was able to bike 3 miles (around 15 min).  I am down to one crutch, and even tried walking short distances without any crutches.  This is still pretty shaky.  Good day.

Day 14 Recap - Monday, July 14, 2014

Things seem to headed in right direction.  I am sleeping better, and recovering well.  Today was a big day for me.  I drove (first time since the surgery) to cross country practice in the morning.  Of course I didn't run, but it was nice to be back with the team.  I biked (with my boot on) for the first time today.  I was cleared to bike earlier, but was unable to do so do to logistics.  I was able to get in 12 minutes.  It went really well, except when my foot slipped off the pedal and my Achilles smashed into the pedal.  Normally this wouldn't have been a big deal because my boot has a protective plastic back.  However, I didn't have my nice boot on.  I didn't want to get it dirty/sweaty so I wore my old boot.  The old boot does not have a protected back.  It does have a padded liner, but it didn't seem to do much to help minimize the impact.  It hurt pretty bad, but I was able to pull it together.  Needless to say, I will not be working out in the old boot anymore.  Anyway, I stayed at school the entire day.  I had to do some work on an online Algebra 2 course I am helping build.  In the evening I went to track club.  It was a long day, but a good one.  I must admit, I do feel a little sore with all the movement today.  I don't think it's a bad sore, but just something to monitor.  I had one other victory today...I have successfully transitioned down to one crutch.

Day 13 Recap - Sunday, July 13, 2014 (6th dressing change) - pics

Well, at this point, yesterday was not a fluke.  I slept well, and had a good day.  I've been gradually getting a bit more active and moving around a little more.  Still using the hydrocuff.  The dressing change went well.  The bruising is still there, but it appears as though the swelling is starting to decrease.  I took a few more pics than usual.