Six Weeks Surgery Update

It's been six weeks since my surgery. I didn't feel like writing, but I want to remember each phase. Weeks four and five were a little rough as I had some muscle cramps in my foot. Muscle relaxers solved that problem, though.

I now have the cast off. I was able to take a shower for the first time in six weeks! I wasn't sure how to feel! I have traded in the cast for a walking boot. Yes, that means Dr. Brosky cleared me to start putting some weight on it. I was tired after walking to and from my shower. It was only about ten steps, but my muscles haven't been used to putting any weight on that foot since the foot issues first began.

I am doing good. I am able to go back to church for the entire service now. I just have to remember to take my muscle relaxers and that it is okay to take pain meds! I only take medicine if absolutely needed.

I wasn't expecting the muscle in my left leg that was transferred to help my knee bend better (by Dr. Griffin in 2004) to start tingling one night. I guess it is ready to start working! That is exciting! I also wasn't expecting to bruise so easily from my leg rubbing against the other one and transferring from the bed to the wheelchair. My right leg is now wrapped to help prevent more bruises.

I have six weeks in the boot and go back for my last set of x-rays on December 18th. I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving! The days seem to fly by!

Three Weeks Post-Op

Today I am three weeks post-op. I am honestly happy that I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday so I can get out of the house. I tried to go to church on Sunday night, making sure to elevate my leg in the car and in the service. It was hard to restrain myself during the worship. My wheelchair was rocking - literally. Even though the brakes were on. I was so happy to be back for a service! I had to say to myself, "Madison, you have GOT to calm down." So, clapping in a restrained manner would have to suffice for the evening. Everything went well until about 5:30 a.m. My left leg was throbbing and the medication was taken to no avail. I woke my mom up and iced it for a little over forty minutes.

Finally, sweet relief. But, this was coupled with frustration and disappointment that I wasn't quite ready to be doing much...even if that something was just a little something in the grand scheme of things. Couple these feelings with an overdose of Food Network's "Cupcake Wars" and TLC's "Four Weddings,""Say Yes to the Dress," and the bittersweet wrap-up of "What Not to Wear", and I have been a little stir crazy in the house. My hips have been kind of hurting me at night, and I know why now. Transferring from the bed to the wheelchair at least five times a day and more to the lift chair if my nephew is visiting is tiring. 

But, every time I sit in my lift chair in the living room, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all of the people who played a part in helping me get that. It really has helped me during this recovery. I love each and everyone of you for your small acts of kindness and words of encouragement.

I will get through this. Three weeks have passed. I know some people who have it tremendously worse than me. Deaths, sickness, and kidnaps, and injustices abound. It is then that I sit here typing on my laptop writing, being, living, recovering. Some don't get that chance, and for that I am truly grateful. Every day I get a little bit stronger, really. That's not just a catchy saying. 

I know I will look back on this post and laugh eventually. :) 

Raw Footage

It's been two weeks since my surgery, and I'm doing good. My doctor is pleased so I am very happy that things are healing well and there are no signs of infection. I have four more weeks of no weight bearing on my left foot. 

I thought I would share some pictures my mom took on my doctor's appointment on Wednesday. WARNING: If you have a squeamish stomach, you will probably want to stop reading now. 

I'm sharing these images in the hopes of showing every side of my recovery. It's raw, real, and unedited. The yellow color on my feet and toes is the cleaning solution used on my wounds when I go to the doctor. I am limited to sponge baths right now because the cast can't get wet.

This last picture shows two small incisions on my heel where the Achilles tendon was lengthened. 

Out of Commission Due to Surgery #6

Well, it's been eight days since I've had a fusion of the metatarsal joint of my left big toe and lengthening of my Achilles tendon. It was done on September 27, 2013. This is my sixth major surgery, not including a biopsy I had done. You can find out more about my surgeries here. I've had lots of surgeries, just never any on my feet. This is uncharted territory for me, but I am up for the challenge because I want to be able to walk again and not have to use the wheelchair as I've said in previous posts.

I'm doing pretty well. I just can't put any weight on my left foot for six weeks. The first two nights home were rough because I am used to transferring from my bed to my wheelchair with no help. Since my left leg must be elevated, my mom has had to help me more. That has been an adjustment. :) The first post-op visit with my doctor showed that my foot looked great. I usually have never taken many pictures before or after my surgeries as I have gotten older, but I thought it would be good for people to see and know what I am going through.

Here are some pictures: (click to enlarge)

My left foot is the one with the big toe entirely under my second toe. This was making me very unstable. It was just hard to move around in general and put clothes on, even with my walker right in front of me.

These next two pictures were taken right after I was brought back into my room from recovery to see my mom. I was kind of emotional as you can see. The one good thing about this surgery is I haven't experienced any of the intense vomiting that I have had with other surgeries. I also got to sleep in my on bed that night because this was an outpatient surgery - a first for me!

I will give another update next week when x-rays are taken.

Oh, Comcast Corporation

Dear Comcast,

This is yet another time I am having to email you about a particular situation that has yet to be addressed. EVERY single time it rains, our Internet goes out. I have emailed and contacted twice this year Farrah Lively from your corporate office in New York who has promised to get someone to my road to fix this ongoing problem. I've also emailed someone from Augusta, GA that works for Comcast who took my information, but nothing happened. 

Our Internet went out again today. A man who works for you by the name of Leonard was nice enough to come out and fix the problem yet again. As we suspected the amp up the road just poured water when he opened it up. He said he knows this is will be the second time he has asked the maintenance techs at the Hartwell, GA location to fix it and they won't. He said, "I'll ask 'till I'm blue in the face, but I can't make them fix it." After emailing various people and getting foreign people WHEN they actually answer the phone on customer service hasn't worked. So maybe this message will get someone's attention. We have been customers for almost eight years and just want this problem fixed. No more empty promises or excuses, please! If someone from Comcast will message me, I will be more than happy to give you our address.

Sincerely,

Madison Sanders

Adjustment

Spinning, spinning, spinning

Mind is going in so many directions, trying to find somewhere to land

Do this, do that

In the midst, I seem to lose myself in the busyness

The busyness of living...of doing

How do I adjust to the quietness?

The seemingly monotonous routine

I realize in a moment that I have never really learned to rest

Rest my mind, my body

Turn off the switch that so often screams for me to do

It's okay to just take time to rest

Reenergize my thoughts

Fire up those creative pistons that have laid dormant, squashed by things

Now, I sit in the quiet, praying

Talking with my Father

Taking time to listen, really listen

Not rushed by the clock and impending sunrise

Now I wake up, look around my room and give myself a chance to wake up

After eating breakfast, I assume my usual position in my comfy lift chair and sometimes a good book

Sitting, savoring, being

Although I've entered a new phase void of papers and tests,

My life is my newest project

Madison: Unscripted

Liberating, Exciting, Limitless

And the next chapter is looking pretty good!

Honest Feelings

Okay, I'm going to be really honest. If you read this, that's wonderful. I'm writing this more for myself so I don't forget how far I've come. I've had a tough, tough few days. I walked twice last week, and my feet have given me fits since then. They are better this morning, but it has been hard.

I've had to take more of my pain medication than I would like. That bothers me. But, I refuse to let pain get the best of me. Last week, I was able to get up a play with my nephew, yesterday I had to play with him from my bed. What I love about my nephew is he comes and finds me if I'm not in the living room. Just hearing the pitter patter of those little feet brightens my day.

For a few weeks, I allowed myself to get consumed about future plans for my magazine, and I felt like I really wasn't accomplishing anything during the day. Those negative thoughts from the enemy began to creep in and really affect me. I even told my mom that even though I was doing some things, they weren't finished yet. I felt like there was no point in even getting out of bed, but I did it anyway. After talking with her, I realized it didn't matter to her when I got them done, she was just happy I was making progress! I will admit that I beat myself up about things that really aren't that big of a deal. I am going to do better about that.

During the end of last week, I just burst into tears when my doctor's office called and said we'd have to reschedule. I just knew I would have to wait another week or two. To my surprise, my appointment was bumped up a day earlier. I got all upset for nothing! Isn't that how it usually is? As a result, I have been confessing God's word and the promises that are in it. I am so glad He has never left me or forsaken me.

Now, I am not so concerned about my magazine. Everything will work out in His time. I am just doing small tasks during the day, and if I hurt, I take my medicine and take a nap. I would rather be sleeping than miserable to myself and everyone around me. 

Right now, I am happy that I will be able to walk this afternoon. I have taken my pain meds so I am not putting unnecessary stress on my body. That way I can say that I've accomplished two things by nighttime: writing a blog post and walking!