D-Day. Today I had my red cast removed. I had to be squeezed into the schedules as I was only in my cast for two weeks. If I had had more done, then it might have been longer.
First I was sent for an x-ray which was unusual because I still had my cast on. Then I saw my consultant who was amazed that I still had my cast on! Things seemed to be ok, so I was sent to have it taken off. This involved a tiny vibrating circular saw and a very loud noise! It didn't hurt.
There was some discussion as to what I needed next, but I was fitted with a supportive boot which comes up my leg to a similar place to my cast. It is very padded and expandable. I have been told to wear it and I can put weight on my foot. I can drive my automatic car with permission from my insurance company and use my crutches to support myself.
I have decided to retain my leg caddy for now and the first thing I did was to go home and take a full shower!!
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Going Out After Foot Surgery
A week after having my stitches out and my full cast put on, two of my friends offered me a trip out to a local big garden centre for coffee. I accepted.
I used my crutches to get down the steps and they kindly transported my leg caddy for me. Once we got to the garden centre, I used my crutches to balance while I got out of the car, but then they stayed in. I was able to scoot to the front door and round the shop.
It was really great to get out. I spent a little too much money and enjoyed coffee and a cake at the coffee shop. We enjoyed looking round the plants.
It was good to get out. It took a little planning and it helped that one of my friends spent last year in plaster, so she understood a little more about it. When I got back home, my good foot was aching from the effort, but it was worth it!
I used my crutches to get down the steps and they kindly transported my leg caddy for me. Once we got to the garden centre, I used my crutches to balance while I got out of the car, but then they stayed in. I was able to scoot to the front door and round the shop.
It was really great to get out. I spent a little too much money and enjoyed coffee and a cake at the coffee shop. We enjoyed looking round the plants.
It was good to get out. It took a little planning and it helped that one of my friends spent last year in plaster, so she understood a little more about it. When I got back home, my good foot was aching from the effort, but it was worth it!
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Removal of Stitches From My Foot
Nineteen days after my surgery, it was D-Day. Time for the stitches to be removed from my foot. I knew that there was no infection under there because I had had the plaster changed about five days ago. It didn't mean I was looking forward to it.
Met with the Consultant. We chatted as the half-plaster was removed, then he took the dressings off (imagine removing large plasters) and checked the wounds. They were fine. I arranged to have more medication from the hospital pharmacy and was pleased to hear that it would only be two weeks with a full plaster before getting my air boot. It could have been two more weeks, so I'm really chuffed with that!
Then the painful bit! The problem is that I have stitches all over my foot! The first few were the worst, but then it got easier. The problem is that my arch is quite sensitive!
I have had a red plaster cast put on my leg. It is a full cast to below the knee. My leg still itches sometimes on the wound site, but at least I feel I am on the mend.
Met with the Consultant. We chatted as the half-plaster was removed, then he took the dressings off (imagine removing large plasters) and checked the wounds. They were fine. I arranged to have more medication from the hospital pharmacy and was pleased to hear that it would only be two weeks with a full plaster before getting my air boot. It could have been two more weeks, so I'm really chuffed with that!
Then the painful bit! The problem is that I have stitches all over my foot! The first few were the worst, but then it got easier. The problem is that my arch is quite sensitive!
I have had a red plaster cast put on my leg. It is a full cast to below the knee. My leg still itches sometimes on the wound site, but at least I feel I am on the mend.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Removal of Foot Plaster Cast
Week 2 Post Op
The stinging pain continued whenever I moved my foot. It particularly hurt as I swung my leg over in the morning and the stinging sensation would shoot right the way up my leg.
I was concerned that I might have an infection, so rang my GP. He wanted to come and check it out but could not re-plaster my leg after checking it out.
I rang my orthopaedic department. They spoke to my consultant and booked me in for 2.30 that afternoon.
My husband came home and we took a taxi to the hospital. (DH doesn't drive) After a short wait, my half cast was removed. The stitches were fine, but the dressings were matted with dried blood and that is probably what was pulling on the skin. The dressings and plaster were replaced and I had the added peace of mind that all was OK underneath the cast.
The stinging pain continued whenever I moved my foot. It particularly hurt as I swung my leg over in the morning and the stinging sensation would shoot right the way up my leg.
I was concerned that I might have an infection, so rang my GP. He wanted to come and check it out but could not re-plaster my leg after checking it out.
I rang my orthopaedic department. They spoke to my consultant and booked me in for 2.30 that afternoon.
My husband came home and we took a taxi to the hospital. (DH doesn't drive) After a short wait, my half cast was removed. The stitches were fine, but the dressings were matted with dried blood and that is probably what was pulling on the skin. The dressings and plaster were replaced and I had the added peace of mind that all was OK underneath the cast.
The Second Week
I am trying to wean myself off the painkillers. Apart from the operation, I have mostly been on Paracetamol and Codeine (separate tablets) but I have been on eight a day. Swinging my leg down to the ground stings. I have not put any weight on it save slight steadying.
I am getting about well on my leg caddy. Went for a scoot with the kids one day. DH came too and we just went up to the shop in the middle of our road. They went in and I sat outside. It was nice to get out and I was not too tired afterwards.
The kids are coping well. The older one continues to scrounge lifts left, right and centre. The younger one has accepted that he must sometimes come home with someone else. DH is doing well in the kitchen - luckily he's a good cook.
Hurrah for Web-based supermarket deliveries! They are the best in this situation!
I am getting about well on my leg caddy. Went for a scoot with the kids one day. DH came too and we just went up to the shop in the middle of our road. They went in and I sat outside. It was nice to get out and I was not too tired afterwards.
The kids are coping well. The older one continues to scrounge lifts left, right and centre. The younger one has accepted that he must sometimes come home with someone else. DH is doing well in the kitchen - luckily he's a good cook.
Hurrah for Web-based supermarket deliveries! They are the best in this situation!
Friday, 4 June 2010
Using a Leg Caddy
One of the best things I did was to hire my leg caddy. It is brilliant!
I found using crutches really hard. It was wobbly, tough on my hands and on my good leg which has already taken a battering because it has been doing most of the work for over a year.
The leg caddy is a lifesaver. It looks a little like a knee scooter. It has an adjustable padded shelf on which you rest your knee and it can be changed to suit left or right leg. The handlebars have brakes, which is great when you are trying to get onto it, and you can include a basket in your hire which allows you to fetch and carry things round.
If your partner drives (mine doesn't) you could even take it round the shops! I have however gone up the road to the corner shop on it with the kids scooting beside me and we had lots of fun.
There are companies in the UK which sell and hire them, but your local physio dept may not have heard of them yet. Mine will have by the time I have finished with them!
I found using crutches really hard. It was wobbly, tough on my hands and on my good leg which has already taken a battering because it has been doing most of the work for over a year.
The leg caddy is a lifesaver. It looks a little like a knee scooter. It has an adjustable padded shelf on which you rest your knee and it can be changed to suit left or right leg. The handlebars have brakes, which is great when you are trying to get onto it, and you can include a basket in your hire which allows you to fetch and carry things round.
If your partner drives (mine doesn't) you could even take it round the shops! I have however gone up the road to the corner shop on it with the kids scooting beside me and we had lots of fun.
There are companies in the UK which sell and hire them, but your local physio dept may not have heard of them yet. Mine will have by the time I have finished with them!
The First Week Post Op
I decided that I was going to sleep downstairs for a bit. We have a bed settee in the lounge and a downstairs toilet. All the disabled aids were brought downstairs, and I relied on DH to put out the bed and put it away each night and morning.
The first morning I was home was a school and work day. DH got up extra early and got the kids up. The eldest is 11 and able to sort herself out. The youngest is 5 and needs some help, but is still pretty independent. They managed to get up and sorted by 8 am and managed to get out of the house at 8.05. They were both able to get a lift with friends.
My daughter was to get herself home, either by walking or cadging a lift (she's proved very good at this!). DH was coming home early to pick up the younger one. I had sandwiches ready in the fridge and everything to hand that I would need. I coped fine. The week went slowly but passed finally.
The first morning I was home was a school and work day. DH got up extra early and got the kids up. The eldest is 11 and able to sort herself out. The youngest is 5 and needs some help, but is still pretty independent. They managed to get up and sorted by 8 am and managed to get out of the house at 8.05. They were both able to get a lift with friends.
My daughter was to get herself home, either by walking or cadging a lift (she's proved very good at this!). DH was coming home early to pick up the younger one. I had sandwiches ready in the fridge and everything to hand that I would need. I coped fine. The week went slowly but passed finally.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
