The doctor examined the pins and said everything looks really good and there's no sign of infection. He mentioned that my foot isn't as swollen as he thought it'd be, but that's funny because I think it looks super puffy! I also got x-rays taken today to check the progress, and the doctor said he is pleased with the growth and glad that my bone didn't fuse together. He said that in two days on Wednesday, I can start getting it wet in the shower!!! I'm nervous to get it wet but he said it should be fine, and to just make sure that I dry it off all the way when I'm out of the shower.
All in all, my second post-op appointment was nothing but good news! I am still elevating my foot and icing it every chance I get because the swollen feeling feels very uncomfortable. I am also taking my pain pills but only once when I wake up, once midday, and once right around bedtime. Like I've said before, the pain is NOTHING like I thought it'd be. I feel really bad for those who have said the pain is horrible and that they can't sleep through the night without pain pills. I'm the complete opposite. I just take the pain pills as a proactive step, not as a reactive step.
P.S. If people are actually reading this and have any questions, feel free to comment!! I feel like this is just my little journal right now :p
This is a 'before' picture-all that bloody gauze and the stitches are off my foot now!
how are you doing I will be having this pretty soon
ReplyDeleteI'm doing really well! Everything seems to be healing okay, and I don't have much swelling or pain in my foot. This week I've been trying to put more weight on my foot, and some big advice for when you go through with this is to make sure to move your foot, ankle, and leg as MUCH as you can! My ankle is now stiff, my calf is really atrophied, and my quad/hamstring/and glute are starting to atrophy. If you have any more questions I'd love to answer them!! :)
Deletewere you able to go to work?
ReplyDeleteI work as a nanny because I'm a full-time college student, so no I was not able to work; it would've been MUCH too hard playing with two young boys with the ex-fix and crutches. However, I did take online classes this summer and if I were to compare that to a desk job for example, I think it could be doable after about a month. The only problem is that my foot got swollen and uncomfortable after sitting at the computer for hours. If you decide to work while recovering, my advice would be to take off about a month until the swelling doesn't bother you anymore. Hope this helps!
DeleteI am also a full time college student and i live alone. My surgery was originally for he 5th the doctor called and cancel while I'm on my way to the hospital. Then the nurse call and schedule it for the 12th. Apparently none of them scheduled it with the hospital so now im like sitting here very confused and upset.
ReplyDeleteWow that's really unfortunate! I'm sorry to hear that. I had something similar happen to me years ago, but all you can do is look at the big picture and know that your surgery will happen eventually! If you can go your whole life living with brachy, a little more waiting time won't matter in the end! Just keep thinking positive and imagine what life will be like after your surgery :)
DeleteThank you for your encouraging words. you right :-) after all the tim i've got picked on and made fun off, a little wait don't hurt.
ReplyDeletehow long did it take for your pain to go away, I just had the surgery (yesterday) and I cant take it, it hurts so bad, I get no sleep and the pain killers are no help.
ReplyDeletethanks for responding. I had the surgery yesterday so this is day 2. he has me on hydrocodon-acetaminophen. I do elevate my foot. however i live alone and have no one here with me so I forgot to buy an ice pack :-(.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was on! I think the brand name is Norco. Anything frozen will do; ice cubes in a ziploc? Frozen veggies? You just need something cold to keep the swelling down, and that will definitely lessen the pain you're in. I hope you feel better!
DeleteI started a blog also here is the link
ReplyDeletehttp://xoxobellalolo.blogspot.com
Hi, I'm considering doing bo th my foot, except mine is my third toe. Mine causes mostly psychological problems. But I do have pain due to my wide feet.
ReplyDeleteHello, are you still thinking about surgery? My toe caused a LOT of psychological problems as well, and as you can see I only put up one before picture for that reason. I was so ashamed and embarrassed beyond words at my toe and just the overall look of my foot, so believe me when I say that going through a few months of suffering (not really, but you know) for a normal-looking toe was completely worth it. Let me know if you have any questions or want to talk!
DeleteHello! Glad I found your blog!! I just had surgery on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteHey there, I hope my blog helps! I tried to add every little detail, emotion, pain, and experience I went through to help out those like yourself. Congrats on your surgery, and just remember that it is 100% completely worth it in the long run!!! :)
DeleteFunny but, like you, I'm not experiencing much pain.
ReplyDeleteI am, however, ready to walk normally!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for making this blog! I got my surgery over a week ago. The pain comes and goes I was taking hydrocodone acetaminophen and now acetaminophen cod. My post op appointment is tomorrow. I am just wondering after the cast was removed how did you cover up the fixator when you went out in public?
ReplyDeleteOf course! Congratulations :) To cover it in public I took an ace bandage and gently but firmly wrapped it around the whole device so it covered as much as possible. Then I would wear a little black shoe that you'll see in some of my pictures. It was definitely a lumpy sight to see, but it was so much better than not having it covered. I think people focused more on my crutches anyways. Hope this helps!
DeleteThank you so much for the advice. Turns out I was worried for nothing. I can just put a sock on. I am a bit worried about my toe I didn't take a picture of my toe before the surgery I was a afraid somebody my get a hold of it. I have been distracting for 3 weeks now .5 mm per day and my toe hasn't surpassed my pinky. I have 2 more weeks to go. From ur experience do u think that will be enough? I'm so nervous I'm going to have to wait longer. I'm getting impatient. Haha but u know the feeling.any advice will help thank you!
ReplyDeleteYay! That's good to hear. Your device probably doesn't stick out as much as mine did, mine was so different from all the other pictures I've seen so if it worked for me it should work for anyone!
DeleteIs your toe around the same level as your pinky toe right now? If you continue with .5 mm per day for another two weeks then you'll have at least another 5 mm of length, which is a lot! For me personally, I was so happy when my toe was even just at the same level as my pinky, and at first I was supposed to stop turning the week that it got to that level. However, my doctor had me turn it for an additional week or so, and that week made such a difference! Additionally, my toe stretched out a little more after the device was removed and I started walking on it more. I realized that my tendons/bones/etc. were so tense from turning them daily, that after I stopped and had the device removed they were able to relax, and in effect that gave me a little extra length. Keep staying positive, I'm sure your results will come out great!! Positive thinking literally makes so much difference.