Why wouldn't she do it again? Was the recovery process too tedious or was she unhappy with how the foot felt afterwards?
I'd never do it just for looks and for now, I'm OK with it as it never hurts, unless I force it into a too small shoe. Who knows some of the stability problems I have, may not be just caused by a hearing deficiency but also because of that foot?
Etana, it's good to hear that you are focusing hard on the REST part of recovery and that you're eating up. Though this complete rest will be difficult, I believe that it will pay off tenfold once you are fully healthy and can get back to the active lifestyle that you love. Keep up the good rest!
__________________
"Do you choose to simply know the path, or do you choose to walk it?"
Your body keeps an accurate journal regardless of what you write down...
Why wouldn't she do it again? Was the recovery process too tedious or was she unhappy with how the foot felt afterwards?
I'd never do it just for looks and for now, I'm OK with it as it never hurts, unless I force it into a too small shoe. Who knows some of the stability problems I have, may not be just caused by a hearing deficiency but also because of that foot?
I still have to ask my aunt this question... I'll get back to you
I fell last Tuesday, not on my foot. I fell back from a chair to walker, somehow landing smack 100% high impact on my tush pelvic bone. I knew it wasn't broken or hairline fracture; but it has been really hurting even til today as is my left shoulder that I must have sprained as well in the fall.
So I was taking Ibuprophen 800mg twice a day, though my foot wasn't really hurting.
Then about Christmas day... my right corner of my colon began hurting where it usually aches, and I've been suffering since.
I'm thinking that
1. The megadose Ibu for 3 weeks is upsetting to stomach
2. I'd been having 3/4C 2% milk (in protein shake & oatmeal)
3. some bread...
daily
I cut all that out yesterday, and was in more discomfort because no painkillers.
I looked up Percocet and Vicodin on web for counterindications and it mentioned respiratory uneven heart rhythms, and yesterday my chest was um just noticeable, so I took no pills.
Tomorrow Monday I will phone surgeon
1. How long at a time can the brace/boot be OFF while sitting on the couch?
2. Can up/down movements of the foot be stretches to increase mobility?
3. any painkiller that does not upset stomach that he could prescribe, espec for butt and shoulder?
4. what about Percocet/vicadin and my particular mitral valve prolapse heart issue?
I will see him Jan 23 and begin weight bearing then.
Last night I did Chi Gong exercise from my chair for about 10 min, and had less mobility with left arm, but the stretching was good, and an exercise program for the rest of my body will be good to begin by Jan 1. I don't know how long these 2 sprains will take to heal. I'm not pushing myself.
I'm kind of uncomfortable: foot w/out meds, tush, arm, stomach, right now after eating. And constipated. I've just begun colace and miralax again. The meds made me constipated.
I'm sleeping usually 8-10 hours a night. The only time I'm not eating 1600 cal is when my stomach is upset and then I stop eating for the evening, so most of this week has been low on calories to calm my stomach. My google spreadsheet is almost up to date except I have to add measurements from last week and bust from this week (gotta find my bra that I wear)...
Hope your holiday season is peaceful and fun!
warmly,
I am having fits trying to post today they keep disappearing. Sorry you fell and are in pain.
Anyway Etana I'm concerned about your comments on your chest--if you're having persistent chest discomfort you need to call 911.
Regarding the pain meds tylenol should be easier on your stomach. Also many people do well alternating pain meds ie vicodin or tylenol alternating with ibuprophen. Often allows for better pain control with less side effects. Something else to ask dr about. I also would take side effect and precautions for meds with a grain of salt because it's hard to separate the unusual or rare problem from the common ones. It's good to be informed and aware but like everything there's pros and cons and you may be worried about something that's not applicable to you. Again asking the dr is good.
Constipation is common post op it's too bad they didn't have you on colace from the get go.
Hope you feel better soon. What are you doing to keep yourself entertained? Just curious.
Anyway Etana I'm concerned about your comments on your chest--if you're having persistent chest discomfort you need to call 911. .
thanks I always pay attention to any chest signs, and that's why I stopped all meds and food last night, but it has always been either digestion issues or new orthodic apparatus affecting my skeletel system with calf, back and even chest pains. I did already rush to emergency 3 yrs ago for chest pains and that time it was the orthotic poor fit. But I am aware of the seriousness of this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dianas
Regarding the pain meds tylenol should be easier on your stomach. Also many people do well alternating pain meds ie vicodin or tylenol alternating with ibuprophen. Often allows for better pain control with less side effects. Something else to ask dr about. I also would take side effect and precautions for meds with a grain of salt because it's hard to separate the unusual or rare problem from the common ones. It's good to be informed and aware but like everything there's pros and cons and you may be worried about something that's not applicable to you. Again asking the dr is good.
great info, thanks! I never remember the diff between tylenol advil ibuprophen acetimenophen. I'll speak to Dr. tomorrow
Quote:
Constipation is common post op it's too bad they didn't have you on colace from the get go.
Actually I was prescribed colace but just recently began taking it. It's never worked in the past. I think it is helping now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dianas
Hope you feel better soon. What are you doing to keep yourself entertained? Just curious.
hahaha
I'm watching a lot of Netflix movies. I'm actually working at my job from home (illustrator), and I'll be doing that for the next 5 weeks. The days seem to go fast. Oh, I know! My sig other, Carol, just got hired by the Federal gov't US Census Dept, and I've been helping her with her interviews, hiring paperwork, and now health insurance choices. This has been very very time-consuming, but I'm really happy and relieved that she got a stable job. She's had a very very rough few years:
She had a possible MS diagnosis at 58. Then in remission, she fell and broke her knee. Then she got fired from her lousy job. Then she had a rough year unemployed. She did not buy COBRA health insurance, so no insurance. In the middle of this year, she got what she thought was another MS attack. With no health insurance, she finally phoned her neurologist who thought it was not MS symptoms, but rather pinched nerve symptoms, from her neck to elbow to hand; pain in her hand pinky and next 2 fingers; burning, hurting, not sure what else, but the attacks can wake her at night, are worst in morning and evening. Finally she paid for chiropractic which helped the neck but only partly stopped the rest of pain. And unemployment and pain brought on stress/fears she doesn't even share with me.
So it is a real blessing that she got this federal job and we can't wait to get her on insurance and to the doctor's office and tests.
While surfing the web on pinched nerve, I found so many people who suffer from chronic pain with no cure, it made me cry.
Happy New Year, health to you and yours, peace on earth.
Etana just wanted to wish you and your partner great health and peace for the new year. I am glad Dianas has been able to offer you some more professional encouragement
Etana just wanted to wish you and your partner great health and peace for the new year. I am glad Dianas has been able to offer you some more professional encouragement
Thanks! I think it's gonna be a great year! Hmmm where do I want to travel to ... Costa Rica? Portugal and Spain? the Baltic area? I can't wait to have my feet back!
.. and I think it will be finally a healing stable time for Carol, which she so deserves.
Nah, I'm taking Mechanical Engineering, which will be a three year course, and in Canada will require more courses afterwards (at University) if I want to turn it into a full fledged engineering degree. Which, as long as I'm working in the area, I will probably do.
Update from foot surgery 1/7/09 Wednesday No deficit here, no exercise yet,
- I am tracking of fitday.com;
- I am eating healthy at about 1600 cal/day,
- I am returning to taking supplements,
- I have been totally off meds for about 10 days.
- very weird to not be weighing myself.... ;-\
Surgery was 4 weeks ago. Never pain, slight discomfort, especially the bunion. The heel feels fine. The arch a bit strained. Surgeon says I will have a strong arch. (Torn arch was orig. problem).
3 weeks ago I fell on sits bones and sprained shoulder
2 weeks ago nausea, indigestion, chest pains, spent day in ER: all test normal
5 days aqo, with sprained shoulder worse from using walker, I had xrays... no hairline fractures
I just heard from my surgeon yesterday:
1. I should not have the "overachiever syndrome" with my foot: no excessive stretches or wiggling the toes, but I can move my 4 toes up and down with my hand (not the big toe).
2. I do NOT need to wear the boot except to walk non weight bearing. Not when I'm sitting around! That means I also do not need to sleep with on. Hallelujah!!!
3. I will wear this big Darth Vadar boot for 8 weeks, not 12 weeks!!! another Hallelujah!
4. I have permission to do core, etc mobility stretching strengthening, just not the foot. Julie Keen (keenfitness.com) will develop a program for me of core work, etc.
YEA! I am so happy to have this heavy boot off!
On 12/23, 10 days after the surgery, I fell (not on my foot) and sprained my shoulder and sit bones. The shoulder, since I use the walker, has gotten worse, not better, so I am pretty sedentary still. Nothing broken though.
Monday was the first day I had good clear strong energy and felt human!!!
thanks to all supporters, on this thread and on FatLoss Troubleshoot threads!
positives/action: 1. I had a cortisone shot yesterday in my left rotator cuff. Not torn. 2. KNEE WALKER: To relieve the strain from the walker/crutches, I rented a "knee walker" http://www.seventhstreetmedicalsuppl..._65950-400.jpg 3. no meds 4. 7-10 hrs sleep 5. BEGAN EXERCISE AGAIN: I started a core exercise program from Julie Keen, but it may need to be modified with my shoulder restrictions from the doctor (shouldn't move up or out or stretch up or out) 6. Good energy again beginning last week. 7. Supplements: 2 fish oil, Udo's Adult enzyme, vit D3, one PB8 probiotic, multi, SimStatin, colace, Calcium lactate. 8. Oh!!! My foot!!! It seems fine, flexible, doesn't hurt. It tells me it's ready to walk, but Dr. says I have 8 more days non weight bearing.
Negatives to improve today: 1. FOOD/PROTEIN: My food tracking has slipped: doing maintenance, and not wanting to be very mobile because of my sprained shoulder has caused me to eat "easy food" and less but larger meals and snacks. I have to get a handle on this quickly, like right now, gotta go and get my oatmeal and some protein.
Some protein. what protein with oatmeal? too much trouble to make eggs. Protein powder with oatmeal? how? Proteins aren't motivating me lately. I do have a good chicken meal, but carbs are so much easier. lol..
2 not enough water; I'm avoiding things that make me get up and more
3. SLEEP: I've had trouble MANY nights fallng asleep for 2-4 hours. I go to bed too late (like 3am). I know peppermint tea doesn't have caffeine, but I drink about 16 oz before bed; I'm stopping that and I'll see if it helps. I occ take 1/2 ambien. Two nights I tried 1mcg melatonin; may have helped dunno.
A week from Friday 1/23 I probably will begin weight-bearing with crutches and begin PT with foot. On 1/28 I can begin arm/shoulder exercises. I saw daffodil and hyacinth shoots poking up in my garden yesterday. I'll be dancing and hiking by spring!
Great news!
I went to the PT today (took a taxi in the snow).
PT said the prescription said PWB or FWB as tolerated!
So in the house I can unhinge the 90-degree angle on the boot and walk around with FWB. I AM WALKING!!! Outside I will lock it and use crutches at least for another week while I get used to it. I have made follow-up PT apts. and will continue for about 6 weeks. He said that at 7 weeks past surgery, my tendon is pretty well mended.
He measured beginning measurements/angles.
He did NOT use the heat compress (darn it; I love that part!)
So I'm pretty happy at my progress, and feel very healthy, and am enjoying my exercises from Julie Keen (keenfitness.com). Today is 2 weeks from my cortisone shot and I feel occasional twinges with the torn rotator cuff/arm in 1 certain position, so I'm still resting the arm.
I saw free weights in his office and thought to myself (I know how to use these! won't be too long now...)
I have been very anxious about the arch, the tendon, will it really be strong enough to hold me doing activity? Can I really do Jazzercise, bouncing around even low impact has some bouncing, skipping, chansee, ... Will the tendon hold up over time? Am I hurting it now if I am FWB at 7 weeks. It kept me up worrying last night... but I felt a bit better after seeing the PT, and I'm still gonna take it easy and give it this week and 2 to ease into walking and weightbearing.
Update from foot surgery 2/11/2009
Well, it's been 2 weeks: weeks 7 and 8 post op foot surgery PTTD, and I went pretty quickly from partial weight bearing to full weight bearing (FWB), and have gone for 2.5 weeks to PT. My foot has been hurting aching from the FWB. I think it is normal. Today I looked at my left calf and at first I thought the muscle was back, but on second look, it was huge water retention. PT said this is normal for now. Yesterday at the gym, I noticed how jiggly my forearm is: NO muscle anywhere, it was a pretty immobile 6 weeks post op due to my rotator cuff injury.
ACTIONS 2/11/09:
1. I got my GoWear Fit last night, plugged it in and read the manual and began wearing it last night (one wears it 24hr/day!).
2. I set a current weight at 170 and a goal weight at 145 and for now:
a. no activity (GWF only had 3 choices: none, 3x/wk or 5x/wk)
b. 1500 cal food daily
c. 1 lb/week goal weight loss (5000 steps and 2000 cal of activity)
I will change this on March 2 after I see the doctor at 12 weeks' recovery to 2 lbs per week, and 1350 cal. I will adjust the exercise/activity level as I am able physically
3. I began logging in fitday food today, and will do that 100% compliance
4. I will begin/continue google spreadsheet beginning with today's entry
5. I have been taking 2T psyllium on a regular basis for about 3-4 weeks and it has really significantly helped my regularity issue (a success story! Also 1 colace per day, PB8, enzymes, occasional Miralax or olive bruschetta all are helping)
I only gained about 2 pounds scale weight, but I feel bulky espec at stomach and waist. I did eat some foods that are "not diet foods" and enjoyed them, but realized I was not enjoying the way my body was feeling, and I also did not want to have to recover from a 5 or 10 pound gain. I am proud of this sentence and awareness. I am happy I indulged in the foods and that I took a break from weighing and counting. I enjoyed the break. This all feels powerful.
My body has NO muscles. I looked at my forearms, and they look like the jiggly bottom part of your top arm. After 8 weeks so much muscle loss. The body is amazing!
Don't worry, you'll be astounded how fast the muscles come back. You actually mostly just lost muscle tone. The upside is also that once you are able to move more, your burn rate/metabolism will be higher than before being operated because the body is busy building up to the old LBM levels again.
Just don't get too used to a far higher metabolism.. I've had a nasty surprise there at the time when mtn dropped back to normal levels, but my intake hadn't.
Here finally is the link to my new log over on FLzine.com, Leigh's new FAB website. I've added it to my signature here. I hope ya'all will wander over there some time to give me feedback, keep me focused, and to read some of the great articles posted every day.
Here finally is the link to my new log over on FLzine.com, Leigh's new FAB website. I've added it to my signature here. I hope ya'all will wander over there some time to give me feedback, keep me focused, and to read some of the great articles posted every day.
“Get In and Get Out” RESULTS for the WEEK 04/05/09 end of week 3
3rd week deficit summary from my log at FLzine.com
“Get In and Get Out” RESULTS for the WEEK 04/05/09 end of week 3
NO: Results for the week ending 4/05/09: 1504 calorie average (goal 1200-1350)
170 pounds = 0# lost/gained... (goal = 145# by Aug 15)
GoWear:
rest day = 1700-1800 cal; high day so far 2543 cal !!!
My average was high this week but so was my activity:
15320 burned
10528 eaten =
4,792 deficit for week
3 weeks' deficit completed:
a. FOOD: 100% tracking food with no missed days weighed and logged!
b. ACTIVITY & NEAT: increasing daily and exceeding all targets
c. MOBILITY/STRETCHING: non-existent.. I will begin compliance here, since I'm achy
d. FOOT EXERCISE: no, but very active... increases muscle and tone of legs
e. ARM EXERCISE: just beginning again
f. 0 pound weight loss still, but muscles and tone coming back, and clothes looser; I took measurements Saturday
h. FOOT: much improvement but arch still aches and sometimes I fear surgery was unsuccessful; still very earth-bound heavy-footed in Jazzercise.
i: MOOD: I did not resist compliance, but see the need to take compliance up a notch with mobility stretches and foot/arm exercises and water, because otherwise, at 62, I could easily hurt myself
j: WATER: meeting my 2 liter goal most days
k: DIGESTION: pretty darn good
l. SUPPLEMENTS taken: Food-based Multi, Enzymes, probiotics, fish oil, calcium lactate, Vit D3,
m. MEDICATION: Sim Statin for high cholesterol
To Improve:
1. Activity: continue consistency at moderate level
2. Mobility, stretching, foam rolling, foot and arm exercises
3. Water increase
4. Sleep increase on work nights.
Linear Mode
