Part 7 of my “journal” related to my Lisfranc injury to my left foot.
I’ve come to realize some people may be discovering this journal late in the game, so to speak. So, I’m going to add links to the prior entries. I’ll try to remember to keep doing this with future posts.
Part 1 – And Now For Something Completely Different…
Part 2 – It’s Going To Be a Long Winter
Part 3 – Holidays On One Foot
Part 4 – Post-Op Check Number 1 – So Far, So Good
Part 5 – A Very Good Day
Part 6 – Second Post-Op Check – So You Say There’s a Chance…
February 8, 2020
Seven weeks post-op
I haven’t posted any updates in a couple of weeks, so now seems like a good time.
The two weeks between check-ups really dragged. The first week saw some crummy weather, meaning I stayed pretty well cooped up indoors for a few days. All along, though, I was just looking forward to the next check-up when they were going to do x-rays and, potentially, let me start putting some weight on the surgically repaired left foot.
That is exactly what happened this past Wednesday. I’ve looked at the x-rays and compared them to those that they gave me right after surgery and can’t see any difference, but I guess they liked what they saw because they gave me the go-ahead for putting some weight on it and starting Physical Therapy.
It’s been almost two full months since the injury happened, so this is a really big deal, mentally. It’s one thing to realize, logically, that my foot was healing all along, but as long as I wasn’t allowed to put any weight on it, it was a struggle to feel mentally like I was “getting better,” if that makes any sense.
Now, though, I can use the crutches just for a little extra support, rather than relying on them for full weight-bearing every half-step. In fact, if I’m only walking a short distance, I can hobble my way without a crutch. I’ve got a cane I can start trying to use, but it feels awkward. Maybe because I need to use my left hand.
Anyway, I’m able to drive now because I can get in and out of the car and into the backseat to get crutches, if I need them. I’m sure my wife is even more thrilled about this than I am. I won’t have to rely on her to run most errands. I can also get up and down stairs much easier, though I’m probably not going to be ready to haul several bags of groceries around for a while.
It doesn’t sound like much, I know, but you don’t realize how much you take for granted simple things like being able to just decide to run out for lunch without having to plan for it, until you can’t do that for a couple of months.
Seriously, the psychological relief of reaching this point is probably even more important than the physical progress it represents.
There’s virtually no pain in the foot at all when I’m wearing the boot while I’m moving around. If I have to stand around for an extended period, it will get a little sore, but not really painful.
Obviously, I don’t wear the boot unless I’m going out, so around home, it’s a little different story.
Putting weight on the foot without the boot on produces a pretty good twinge at times. The swelling still comes and goes, depending on how long it has been since elevating and icing the foot. But when the foot isn’t too swollen, I can get it in a slipper that has a bit of a firm sole. Hobbling around with the slipper on significantly reduces those twinges.
Next on the agenda is to start Physical Therapy and my first appointment is Monday, so that should be interesting.
I’m still a little concerned about whether the hardware in my foot is going to be problematic for golfing pain-free, but I’ve come up with a Plan B, just in case.
If transferring the weight to the front foot is painful, I’m just going to get some left-handed clubs and golf lefty! No problem.
Sure, that may sound hard, but keep in mind, I used to bat left-handed! So how much different could golfing left-handed really be? Of course, those who actually witnessed my baseball “career” might question whether golfing as well as I hit a baseball would really be a good thing but don’t believe anything they tell you.
Golfing or not, I still have my eyes on the last week of February, hoping to be ready to head to Ft. Myers then and completing my PT down there. The next appointment with the surgeon isn’t until April 14, so that leaves plenty of time to enjoy beaches and baseball before I have to be back home for that.
Just knowing that getting to Ft. Myers is looking like a “go” has me feeling warmer, already. Or maybe it’s just because I’ve got the fireplace on.
