7 Weeks Post-Op: New Xray Tells All

Saw the doc on Tuesday for another X-ray (4 weeks in the cast). There is a little bone growth, but not nearly enough to set me free of my cast burden. He told me to come back in 3 more weeks. <sigh> He also set a tentative date to have the big screw removed on August 28th (just before he leaves for Burning Man. It's kind of weird to think of my surgeon going to BM, but hey, he's got a life outside of work, too!)

Apparently my 40-year old bones are taking their sweet time to heal.

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful. This is when we were supposed to be in Yosemite for our yearly trip, so that was kind of sad to think about.

Feeling generally ok. I get pretty tired seeing clients, but I feel like I'm seeing a reasonable number of them to not over-do it. It's good getting some exercise too!

I don't have much to add this week...just staying the course until the next check-up. Keep ya posted. :)

6 Weeks Post Op - I Went Swimming!!

You heard that right, kids. So I was trying to imagine a way to keep sand out of the cast so that I could go to the beach (can't miss those Caribbean-blue waters up in the Monterey Bay right now!). After doing a web search, I discovered this brilliant device: 

The Dry Pro - why didn't I think of this?? 

I ordered one immediately. Maya and I had a pool day planned for today, so the timing was perfect. I gave it a test run in the shower last night, and it worked perfectly. I was a little nervous to fully submerge it in the pool...but there's only one way to find out if it works. And guess what? It works!

I got to swim...AAHHH. Being able to move my leg around freely and fairly normally made me so happy. AND I got to play with my girl! We tossed a beach ball around, and I cruised around with her on my back. Wow, that felt good. 

It's been a good week. The medical bills have started rolling in. Looks like I owe about $1500 so far, which isn't bad considering the total without insurance is almost 33K!! Krikey. Feeling pretty grateful for my expensive health insurance right about now. That being said, funds are frighteningly low due to a total loss of income for over a month. I am slowly starting to see clients again, but only about a third of the amount I was seeing before the accident. 

If you, my dear reader, are so inclined, I would welcome a donation to my fundraising campaign. I think there's about 15 days left before it ends, and I'm hoping to reach the goal of one month of my income + extra for medical expenses. It's about 75% funded. And if you see it on Facebook, please share! Thank you!! Your donations have been so deeply appreciated. 

I see the doc next Tuesday for an X-ray check-up. I expect he will probably tell me I need another 2-4 weeks in the cast. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. 

I get my not-so-little man back tomorrow. I'll post a pic of our matching casts! How cute is that?

Take care, readers. Thanks to all of you for your continued support - donations, care packages, running errands, friendly visits. I so appreciate you and all you're doing for me. 

5 Weeks Post-Op: The Sun is Starting to Shine Again!

Love you, Shawn!

Well, here we are, friends. 5 weeks down. After a really tough week, which culminated in me having a cathartic emotional breakdown on Sunday night in Shawn's arms, the skies are clearing and the sun is coming back. Woohoo!

It didn't help matters that I went 4 nights with very little sleep. I ran out of narcotics, and unfortunately, neither Tylenol nor Aleve helped enough with the nerve pain and irritation that I feel at night. It's so bizarre to me that it gets that much worse when I lay down to sleep. I don't need to take anything during the day, but starting around 9-10pm, it sets in. Talked to my doc on Tuesday, and picked up a refill yesterday. Another victory!

I have started seeing a few clients at my house. It's going really well, except for managing my furry child, Iggy. I put him upstairs in the kids' room for the first two sessions and he was not happy with this little timeout. He stayed pretty quiet - a few whimpers here and there. It's not really a good solution, though. If only he were an old, lazy dog that would just lay quietly on his bed while I worked. I need an Iggy-sitter. (Yes, the kids do help when they're here). Hit me up if you want to foster him for a few hours a week!

Iggy is not happy with this arrangement.

Speaking of kids, my son left yesterday for the East coast to visit his cousins for 10 days. This is his first solo voyage, flying as an adult! Wow, it's crazy that he's old enough to do that. It's a little bittersweet indeed. Got a call from him last night...and guess what? HE BROKE HIS ARM! Crazy, right? He was horsing around with his cousins, jumping and sliding on wet grass. He landed wrong and fractured his radius. One day into his trip! No swimming while visiting Cape Cod. :( He's in really good spirits, though. He gets a cast today (I suggested he get green so we can be matchy matchy), and he'll have 4-6 weeks in it. Probably only four since he's so young...I'll bet those little bones heal quick fast. He'll probably be out of his before I'm out of mine!

I have to give my mom a huge thank you for sending me one of those cast bags that allow you to shower and keep your cast dry. I took my first shower last night in over a month (as opposed to really awkward baths with my leg sitting on the edge of the tub). Third victory of the week! It was bliss.


I'm still feeling pretty bummed about not getting to take part in any outdoor adventures this Summer and Fall. Some girlfriends are planning a backpacking trip at the end of August, and I SO wish I could go. Although I will be walking by then, I will not be ready for that and I feel pretty sad about it. But at least I'm out from under the dark cloud of last week. Onward into brighter days...

Happy Dance

4 Weeks Post-Op...Feeling Blue

I haven't posted much lately because I haven't honestly been in the mood. Being at home, sitting on the couch for 90% of the day is driving me a bit crazy. I decided to see a few clients this week (a manifestation of my craziness?), and see how I felt. Giving the massage was actually pretty good - moving around the table was a bit awkward, but not so much to deem it a wash. The problem was that the whole experience start to finish was so taxing on me: getting to the office, getting upstairs with the scooter, setting up, doing the massage, re-setting the room, getting back downstairs, and getting home. By the time that whole thing was over, my foot was fat and purple, aching more than usual, and I was simply drained.

The process was also taxing on my mental state - getting around takes twice as much time and energy. Every time I move around I am reminded of this fact, which makes me even more frustrated and irritable.

I had a nice 4th - Shawn's sister and her kids were visiting overnight. After having a nice bbq dinner on the deck, we walked/scootered to Ocean View Park to watch some fireworks over the Boardwalk. On the way home, though, I managed to tip over and catch my fall with my casted foot. It did not feel good! It was pretty sore that night and the next day, and I was worried I jarred some of the hardware loose. I let the doc know on Monday, and he had me come in for another Xray on Tuesday. Good news: everything is still in place. The break in my bone, however, looks no different to me. :/

The nerve pain/irritation persists. Always much worse at night. I have a feeling

it's not really going to get better until I am mobile. This thought also contributes to my generally sad state. Guess you could say I'm in the throes of a classic pity party, of which I feel somewhat shameful...which leads me to feeling even lower. I know this will pass, and that my mood will change. But right now I feel like a little kid who is in a state somewhere between having skinned her knee and wanting mama's sympathy and affection...and throwing a tantrum because of great injustices she is suffering (like being left out of other kids' games and not being able to get her underwear on easily).

But hey, only 8 more weeks to go.