Back to the Gym

I weaned myself off of my crutches over the weekend and onto just a cane. Therefore I decided I was OK to go to the YMCA gym. I managed to work out for about 45 minutes when my ankle started twinging. I walked to a nearby cafe for a cup of tea and to buy an anniversary card for my mom and dad (it's a Hallmark store too.). I met Randy there and we went to Walmart. I saw my mom there and we looked at clothes for a bit then she left and I went to the back of the store for some craft supplies. By then my ankle was unhappy and my good (a relative term that) foot was also letting me know it was unhappy. We started for the front of the store and Randy took some detours to pick up other stuff while I made my way (very slowly let me tell you) to the front door. Thank God there was a bench up at the door so I could sit while waiting for Randy to check out. By the time we got home, my ankle was swollen so much the skin was tight, even bigger than it's been all weekend. So, I'm sitting for the rest of the afternoon to let it rest. The arch in my good foot is hurting too. What a wreck.

Cast Off!

Oh happy day! I had my cast taken off at noon and I'm free at last. Not walking yet but free from the weight of the cast. I will spend the next couple of weeks stretching and slowly putting weight on the foot. Since my foot was in a "pointed" position for the last 6 weeks, today's business is to get the foot to flex into a flat position so I can put weight on it. My calf, achilles tendon and bottom of the foot are very tight. My ankle is still bruised and the whole foot and ankle very swollen. However, the xrays show the bone fully healed and no plates or screws will be needed to hold it together. That makes me very, very happy! S'all for now.

The Waiting Game

Counting today, I have 14 days till my cast comes off. The "coming out" is March 24th. Surprisingly, after the 3rd week, my energy levels increased. I suspect a milestone in the healing process. The problem is I can't do anything with this increased energy level. I have been moving around the house more. I am also able to leave my foot down for longer periods of time without much swelling. Going outside is still problematic as we've had several days of very cold weather as well as snow. I'm still quite afraid of falling. I did take a Backpacking book out of the library a week ago. A good book by a veteran backpacker. Unfortunately I've forgotten the author's name and the name of the book. Written in 1996, it has lots of great detail on equipment and how to's for the sport. It was a second edition and with the advent of even better high tech equipment, I suspect he'll have to put out another edition to keep up the equipment sections. Surprisingly enough, I got the same info and tips from my friend Bill Peacock. Even so, it was good to confirm that the equipment, supplies and training I've already bought (and done for last year) were correct. All I need to do now is heal up and get back in the gym. I've got an American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure bike ride on June 12th to train for as a short term goal. (Go to my web page on the ADA site to donate. http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=1591066&fl=en_US&s_tafId=4926&pg=personal&fr_id=2289 )
Intermediate goal is to do some overnights in the Adirondacks to train (Yes, Again!) for the rest of the Northville-Lake Placid trail in the fall. Long term is the Appalachian Trail next spring. Speaking of that, I've been following the weather for the southern end of the trail on the morning news. It's been rainy/snowy and cold since the beginning of March. I wish all of the early spring hikers well.

3 week Ankle Check

I had my 3 week check of my ankle on the 3rd. Xrays were taken and showed that the broken piece was still in place. Therefore, I have 3 more weeks of having a cast then on March 24th, I get liberated. So, what have I learned since being invalided.
First, that I can ask other people to help me. They'll do it gladly. I don't have to be so fiercely independent. Secondly that I have a much greater sense of appreciation for simple movement. The ability to walk from one place to another while also carrying something is now high on my list of skills I'm eager to get back. Thirdly, I have a much greater appreciation for the difficulty the aged and permanently disabled have. I went to a small store on Wednesday and had to "crutch" thru to what I wanted. By the time I got to the spot, I was tired and ready to sit. Fortunately, a chair was near but that can't be the case everywhere. Mainly I stay home and if I need something, I have to be specific and send my husband off to get it. It's very frustrating not being able to just go in, browse around, and pick and choose. I'll get over it in a few weeks but I'll remember how difficult it's been.