Walking in Shoes - Getting Adventurous

Based on my 6-week post-op check up, I am allowed to start weaning off the boot.  For the next week I am allowed to be in shoes in the evenings.  I experimented this weekend, and it was a challenge.  I was not in pain, but I am still very weak.  I walk very slowly, and it is not fluid.  However, I will say that after 2 evenings of practice, I was getting much more comfortable.  I felt like it was starting to feel normal again.  The PT is continuing to go well, and I think I'm in a good stop.  Hopefully in a week, I can start to alternate boot days and shoe days.

Feeling Good

Things seem to be progressing nicely.  The inflammation went down from the meet on Tuesday, and wound is almost heeled.  I can't imagine it'll be more than a few more days.  In the evenings I've been taking the boot off and doing a little walking around without shoes (not very much at all).  The PT is going well.  The heel raises continue to get easier, and I can feel myself getting stronger.  Overall, I feel like I'm starting to get back to normal.  It feels good.  Hopefully the future continues to be bright.

First XC Meet of the Season

Today was the crown point invite.  This is the first cross country meet of the season.  The girls ended up winning, so that was cool.  As far as my Achilles...it was a little much.  First off, venue (lemon lake) was really wet.  It had rained pretty hard the past couple of days, there was no avoiding the wetness.  Knowing this beforehand, I decided my old worn out boot.  Even though it's not as nice as my normal one, it was a good decision because my nice one stayed clean.  I was a good boy at the meet, and didn't run around or anything.  However, between school and the meet, I was standing on my feet for a long time.  For the first time since the surgery, I could really tell my foot was swollen (I guessing from just being on it for an extended period of time).  On the plus side, it doesn't hurt, and wound continues to improve.

Back to the Grind (First Full Week of School/Teaching Begins)

After a semi-relaxing, but semi-busy weekend (I DJed Satuday night; luckily it was a pretty basic set-up.  It did start to get sore after I stood for a while, so I made sure to take some sit down breaks), I'm back to the school grind.  It usually takes a week or two for my body to adjust.  The past few years when I had been training for the Chicago Marathon, the first week or two back to school really effected my training.  My body is just not in "teacher" shape yet.  Overall, things went well today.  I emailed Dr. Porter an updated picture (see below), and I made a point to indicate the achy portion.  I am almost certain it is just from being on my feet again and teaching.  Hopefully I'll be OK in a few days.  He responded, and said that everything looks good.  Hopefully the final portion heals quickly.

Second Day of School

Well, I made it through the first 2 days.  It was still achy/sore today...pretty consistant with yesterday.  I made a point to sit at my desk more, and explain things while sitting on my stool.  Hopefully I can recover well this weekend, and continue to get stronger.  The PT is going well.  I'm getting better at the heel raises, and the thera-band stuff.  It also seems to be healing nicely.  Hopefully only a few more days with the scab.

First Day Of School

Well, today was the first student day of school.  I wasn't sure how it would go, but it ended up being OK.  As a teacher, you stand a lot, and you are constantly walking around the classroom.  Although I've been on my feet for the past few weeks, this is an entirely new category.  By the end of the day, I could definitely feel my foot.  It was achy towards the base of the heel.  I wouldn't say it was painful, but it was sore.  At this point, I'm not too concerned.  I think it will just take some adjusting over the next few days.  If I notice it gets worse, then I will have to figure something out.  I emailed Dr. Porter a picture of the wound, and he seems to think it's on the right track.  He said that I should continue taking the Keflex and email him another picture on Monday.

Pics (Aug 16-20)

Aug 16th

Aug 18th

Aug 19th

Aug 20th